Better CARE for Animals Act

Full Title:
Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill amends the Animal Welfare Act to give the Attorney General more power to enforce the Act and related rules. It lets the Attorney General bring civil cases in federal court and seek temporary restraining orders, injunctions (including removing or relocating animals), license revocation, and civil penalties up to $10,000 for each violation for each day the violation continues. Animals subject to conduct that violates the Act may be seized and forfeited to the United States under chapter 46 of title 18, and a person whose act or omission led to a seizure may be charged a reasonable fee for transfer and care. The bill requires dealers and exhibitors to have a valid license to exhibit, buy, sell, transport, or offer animals in commerce. It adds that penalty or fine money received by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Attorney General may be used to pay reasonable and necessary costs for people who provide temporary care for animals while a case is pending. Judges may issue warrants or other processes to enforce the Act. The bill adds a severability clause, strikes the second sentence of section 29(b) of the Act, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter a memorandum of understanding with the Attorney General within 180 days to carry out these authorities and share timely information about repeat violators who seriously affect animal health or well-being. It also clarifies that enforcement authority covers rules, standards, and regulations made under the Act and that actions by the Attorney General and the Secretary do not limit each other.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a dealer or exhibitor of animals, you must have a valid, not-suspended license to buy, sell, exhibit, or transport animals in commerce.
  • The Attorney General can file civil suits in federal court and seek orders that could remove animals, revoke licenses, or impose daily civil penalties.
  • People who temporarily care for animals taken during an enforcement action may be paid reasonable and necessary costs from penalty or fine money.
  • A person whose conduct leads to a seizure may be charged a reasonable fee for the animal's transfer and care.
  • No publicly available information on how often these tools will be used or exact procedures beyond the changes in the bill text.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for each day the violation continues.
  • Penalties and fines received by the Secretary or the Attorney General may be used to pay reasonable and necessary costs for temporary animal care.
  • Persons responsible for a seizure may be charged a reasonable fee for transfer and care of the seized animal.
  • The bill requires a memorandum of understanding within 180 days but does not provide cost estimates or a federal budget impact in the text. No publicly available information on total federal costs or savings.

Proponents' View#

The bill states that it is intended to clarify and affirm that federal courts have jurisdiction to address violations of the Animal Welfare Act and that the Attorney General has authority to bring federal enforcement actions, including for violations of rules, standards, and regulations made under the Act. Supporters (as reflected by the bill text and the "Sense of Congress" section) describe the changes as strengthening enforcement and coordination between the Attorney General and the Secretary of Agriculture.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.