CARE for Animals Act must become law

Once again, Sen. Richard Blumenthal has shown his longstanding support for strong animal welfare standards by introducing the Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act.

Since its passage, the Animal Welfare

Act has been pivotal in safeguarding the well-being of millions of animals nationwide, shielding them from cruel treatment in facilities such as puppy mills and roadside zoos. But the United States Department of Agriculture is ill-equipped to address today’s needs. With only three administrative judges for the entire USDA, only so many enforcement actions can go through the system each year, leaving animals at grave risk of suffering cruelty, neglect or abuse.

The Better CARE for Animals Act would enhance collaboration between the USDA and the Department of Justice, a measure already supported by bipartisan and bicameral FY 2022 and FY 2023 appropriations language. This bill would also strengthen the DOJ’S enforcement capabilities by providing more enforcement tools, including a judicial process to rescue suffering animals from harmful situations. Even if the DOJ initiates only a few animal cases each year, its enhanced capacity to enforce the law will create a powerful deterrent that will protect animals and keep them out of harm’s way.

Responsibility for promoting and protecting animal welfare rests with all of us, especially our federal government. This law’s passage will help make it clear that animal mistreatment has no place in our society.

Sara Amundson

The writer is president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund in Washington, D.C.