WHAT THE ISSUE IS:

Thanks in large part to letters from concerned citizens, President Clinton’s budget proposal includes a $5 million increase for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). If Congress agrees to this proposal, it will boost funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s AWA inspection program to $15 million (a 50% increase over the current $10 million level). AWA enforcement has been severely underfunded since this law was passed in 1966. Last year, a mere 64 inspectors were responsible for overseeing more than 10,000 sites including laboratories, puppy mills, zoos, circuses, and airlines. Annual inspections have dropped by 40% since 1991, many facilities were not inspected for years, and those inspected were non-compliant with the minimal AWA protections 45% of the time. In October, Congress took a modest first step to begin addressing this crisis by approving a $1 million increase.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

While the President’s proposal is good news, the battle is far from over! Please contact the following key legislators, thank them for enacting last year’s $1 million increase, and urge them to provide the full $5 million increase proposed for Animal Care inspections this year.

CONTACTS: {Scroll down to view sample letters}

1) Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee:

1. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee:

February 18, 2000

Honorable Thad Cochran

136 Dirksen Bldg.

Washington, DC 20510

Re: Appropriations for Animal Welfare Act inspections

Dear Senator Cochran:

I am writing as an animal lover and concerned citizen to thank you for enacting last year’s $1 million increase in funding for Animal Welfare Act inspections. The animals of this country desperately need all of the protection they can get, and that increase was definitely a solid step in the right direction. Now I am hoping that you will support the $5 million increase proposed by President Clinton’s budget to further facilitate the enforcement of the AWA.

As I’m sure you are aware, AWA enforcement has been severely under-funded since its inception in 1966. Last year, a mere 64 inspectors were responsible for overseeing more than 10,000 sites including laboratories, puppy mills, zoos, circuses, and airlines, which are commonly rife with animal abuse and/or neglect. Annual inspections have dropped by 40% since 1991 and many facilities were not inspected for years. Those that were inspected were non-compliant with the minimal AWA standards 45% of the time. This is an affront to the guarantee of protection that this Act purports to provide. The American public relies on the government to insure that rampant animal exploitation does not go unnoticed or unchecked, but sadly, more often than not, it does.

Senator Cochran, all creatures deserve a life free from undue suffering and neglect, whether they have two legs or four. Animals are the most helpless and innocent victims of cruelty and apathy; they have committed no sins, and yet have no form of redress for the wrongs they endure. The leaders of our country must be their voices. I call upon you to use your position of authority to help protect America’s animals by supporting the increase in funding for enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

Thank you for your consideration of this serious matter.

Sincerely,