New Animal Welfare Bill Grants AG $10K Daily Fine Power, Allows Seizure of Animals in Violation

The “Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025” is here, and if you’re in the business of commercially dealing or exhibiting animals, the federal government is about to get a lot more serious about enforcement. This bill is all about upgrading the muscle behind the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), giving federal officials—and specifically the Attorney General—new tools to investigate, fine, and seize animals.

The core change is simple: If you sell, buy, or transport animals commercially, you must have a valid, non-suspended license from the Secretary of Agriculture (SEC. 2). No exceptions. Beyond that, the bill expands the investigative scope so the Secretary can now investigate not just violations of the main AWA, but also any specific rule or regulation issued under it. Think of it as closing loopholes that let technical violations slide.

The $10,000 Hammer: New Penalties and Players

Here is where things get real for regulated businesses. Currently, the Secretary handles civil penalties, but this bill introduces a massive enforcement partner: the Attorney General (AG). A new section grants the AG the explicit power to file civil lawsuits in federal court seeking temporary restraining orders, injunctions, license revocations, and, most importantly, civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation for every day the violation continues (SEC. 2, Civil Actions and Penalties). That’s a serious financial risk, especially considering that penalties can now be applied for violating any rule or regulation, not just the main statute.

For a small-scale dealer or exhibitor, a $10,000 daily fine for a prolonged violation could be catastrophic, far exceeding the business’s revenue. While the goal is to deter serious harm to animals, this high daily penalty needs careful watch to ensure it’s not leveraged disproportionately against smaller operations for technical or minor infractions.

Who Pays for the Vet Bill?

Another significant change deals with the cost of caring for animals caught up in legal battles. Under this bill, any money collected from these new fines and penalties must first be used to pay back people who incurred “reasonable and necessary costs” caring for an animal while it was temporarily waiting for the outcome of a legal case (SEC. 2, New Civil Penalties and Care Costs). If a non-profit shelter steps in to care for seized animals during a lengthy court process, they are now much more likely to be reimbursed.

Furthermore, the bill introduces the power of seizure and forfeiture. If an animal is involved in conduct that violates the Act, it can be seized by the U.S. government. And here’s the kicker: if your actions led to the seizure, you might be charged a “reasonable fee” to cover the costs the U.S. incurred caring for that seized animal while it was in custody (SEC. 2, Seizure and Forfeiture). This provision is a powerful deterrent, but it also means that even if you are ultimately cleared of the violation, you could still be on the hook for substantial boarding and veterinary fees.

Federal Coordination Gets a Deadline

To make sure all this new enforcement power doesn’t lead to chaos, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General must create a formal coordination agreement—a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—within 180 days of the law being enacted (SEC. 2, Warrants and Coordination). This MOU needs to detail how they’ll share information, especially about repeat violators who cause serious harm to animals. This required coordination is vital, ensuring that the USDA’s regulatory expertise and the AG’s litigation power work together efficiently rather than tripping over each other.