Provisions Benefiting Animals Included in FY21 House Appropriation Bills
Two House of Representatives’ subcommittees — the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee and the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee — have included funding increases or new language in upcoming bills that will positively impact animals across the United States if these funding packages are passed for fiscal year 2021.
One new provision in the Agriculture Subcommittee would offer more funding to domestic violence shelters to allow additional options for pets. Currently, many domestic violence shelters do not have the capability to take in or care for animals, which means victims of abuse may have to make a difficult decision to help themselves or stay with a beloved pet. Additionally, pets are sometimes used as weapons against those suffering from domestic violence, threatened or even killed if they choose to leave. The AWLA offers boarding services to pets of people fleeing domestic violence through our Crisis Care program, and additional funds for this type of service will mean that localities across the US might be able to offer animal support services to those in domestic violence shelters, and means that pet owners do not need to make difficult decisions about the care of their pets when taking this step.
Another provision would require that USDA Agricultural Research facilities are subject to inspections for compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. A similar provision, an addition to VA Bill SB891, was passed in Virginia in May 2020, and required that assigned state Animal Welfare Inspectors ensure that any animals held in research facilities in the state were housed in a way that meets regulations for “basic adequate care.” This bill would make this requirement national for all USDA research facilities.
Several other provisions were also included in these upcoming bills, including provisions to cut down on “horse soring” (injuring the hooves and legs of horses to bring about certain step patterns favored in horse shows); requiring facilities such as local zoos and puppy mills to have emergency response plans for the animals in their care in case of natural disasters or catastrophes; and several measures focusing on the slaughter of animals for consumption (including ending high-speed slaughter lines brought about during the pandemic; enforcing government-issued humane slaughter stipulations; and removing federal support of horse slaughter in the US for human consumption). Provisions included in the State-Foreign Operations bill would crack down on animal trafficking and/or poaching around the world and provide greater economic support for the USAID biodiversity conservation program.
Additional bills around wildlife that moved forward in other subcommittees reinforce congressional efforts to protect wild burros and horses; support funding for wildlife protection programs (including specific protections for gray wolves); expand research for alternatives to animal testing; put funding into road and crossing safety for wild animals; limit trophy hunting; and help cease international wildlife practices that could lead to future pandemics.
If you are interested in making your voice heard in support of funding for any of these provisions, please consider calling your state representative to discuss their voting plans for the FY21 House budget. You can find your local representative and a phone number by which to contact them HERE.
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