New PEARL Act Launches 3-Year Pilot for CBP to Adopt Shelter Dogs as Support Canines

The aptly named Providing Emotional Assistance with Relief and Love Act, or the PEARL Act, is kicking off a new initiative with some serious heart. Essentially, this legislation sets up a three-year pilot program where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will start sourcing some of its working dogs directly from local animal shelters. This isn’t a permanent change yet—it’s a test run designed to see if shelter dogs can be successfully trained to serve as support canines within CBP’s existing teams. The Secretary of Homeland Security has a tight 60-day deadline from the bill’s signing to get this adoption program rolling, with the clock stopping exactly three years after its start date.

The Rescue-to-Relief Pipeline

For those of us who appreciate the work that canines do in law enforcement, this is a notable shift in the supply chain. Typically, specialized working dogs come from specific breeders or overseas programs. The PEARL Act, however, directs CBP to look locally, pulling dogs from shelters that might otherwise be overlooked. Think of it as a win-win: the shelters get a guaranteed adoption for a dog that might be harder to place, and CBP gets a potential new source of highly trainable animals. This directly addresses the bill’s goal of using shelter dogs for their Support Canine Program, providing emotional assistance to agents and officers who often face high-stress situations. For the average person, this means a tax-funded program is now contributing directly to local animal welfare efforts.

What “Support Canine” Means in the Real World

While the bill is clear that these dogs are intended for the “Support Canine Program,” it’s worth noting that this is different from the traditional detection or patrol dogs most people picture. Support dogs are often used for morale, stress reduction, and mental health support for the agents themselves. If you’re an office worker or a trade worker, you know the difference a friendly face (or paw) can make during a tough day. For a CBP agent working long, intense shifts, having a trained support dog—potentially a rescue—on site can be a small but significant factor in managing job stress and burnout. The three-year pilot period is designed to evaluate exactly how effective and practical this shelter-sourcing method is for maintaining the quality and reliability required for these roles.