Better CARE Act Grants AG Power to Fine Animal Welfare Violators Up to $10,000 Daily

The newly proposed Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 is essentially a major enforcement upgrade for the existing Animal Welfare Act (AWA). Think of it as giving the federal government a much bigger stick to use against people who aren't following the rules when dealing with animals in commerce. The core purpose is to strengthen enforcement, clarify who can do what, and make sure that violators pay for the mess they create.

No License? No Deal.

First up, the bill tightens the screws on who can operate. If you’re a dealer or an exhibitor—think commercial breeders, roadside zoos, or research facilities—you are now explicitly and absolutely forbidden from selling, buying, or transporting any animal if you don't have a valid, active license from the Secretary of Agriculture. This closes any potential loopholes that might have allowed unlicensed activity to continue under the guise of 'offering' or 'arranging.' It’s a blanket prohibition against operating without proper credentials, making it much easier to prosecute bad actors right out of the gate.

The Attorney General Just Got a New Job

Here’s the biggest shakeup in Section 2: the Attorney General (AG) is now explicitly authorized to bring civil lawsuits against AWA violators. This is a massive change. Previously, the enforcement largely rested with the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Now, the AG can step in and ask a federal court for things like temporary restraining orders, injunctions, or even license revocation. If a violation is proven, the court can impose civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, per day that the violation continues. If you’re running a large, non-compliant operation, that fine can stack up fast, which is a powerful deterrent.

Animals Seized, Costs Reimbursed

If you’re found to be in violation, the bill makes two things clear regarding the animals themselves. First, any animal involved in the violation can be seized and forfeited to the U.S. government, using standard federal procedures. Second, and this is a practical win for the rescue community, if the government collects fines or penalties from the violator, that money must be used to pay back people or organizations who provided temporary care for the seized animals while the legal case was pending. For the shelters and rescues that often foot the bill for caring for animals in legal limbo, this is a huge relief, ensuring they aren’t left holding the bag financially. Furthermore, the violator can be charged a “reasonable fee” to cover the government’s costs for transferring and caring for the animals.

Required Teamwork Between Agencies

To make sure this new dual enforcement structure works, the bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General must sign a formal agreement—a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)—within 180 days of the law passing. This MOU has to lay out exactly how they will coordinate and share information, specifically making sure the AG gets timely details about repeat violators who have serious citations that harm animal health. This required cooperation is key to avoiding turf wars and ensuring that the new enforcement powers are used effectively against the worst offenders.