While obstacles to animal and pet protection legislation abound, there is at least one place in Washington D.C where members of congress can come together in support of animal welfare issues. Formed in 2009, the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC) is a non-partisan organization of the United States Congress. Their mission is straightforward: to bring legislative attention to issues regarding animal welfare in a variety of national arenas. They also strive to provide information and awareness to the congress as a whole on animal related legislation as it arises. Currently, the Caucus is comprised of 135 members of congress representing many of our 50 states.
CAPC in Action
The CAPC is currently made up of 135 members and they have been busy. In the 111th Congress (2009-2011) CAPC worked on
requiring accurate labels on fur products and banning the practice of “shark finning.” In the 112th Congress (2011-2013) the CAPC focused efforts on the passage of legislation to prohibit
horse slaughter for human consumption. Now in the 113th Congress, the organization has so far hosted briefings regarding increased protections for African lions, the problematic use of antibiotics in industrial agriculture operations, and the abusive soring techniques used on Tennessee walking horses. Since 2009, the CAPC has worked to enact a variety of legislation on a wide variety of topics. The following are acts which have been
signed:
H. R. 5566 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010
111th Congress, December 9, 2010
With the explanation that, “The Federal Government and the States have a compelling interest in preventing intentional acts of extreme animal cruelty,” this initiative banned the production and distribution of animal crush videos. This a practice which “depicts actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act
112th Congress (signed in 113th)
Signed into law as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, what began its legislative life as H.R 366 makes knowingly attending an animal fight punishable by fines and up to a year in prison and makes
it a separate offense, with even higher penalties, to knowingly bring a minor to such an event.
What’s Next?
For this congressional session, CAPC has been working on a wide array of animal protection legislation including several bills
which apply to pet animals. These include:
Pet Safety and Protection Act – H.R. 2224
This act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally. This legislation is intended to address the issue of “Class B” dealers obtaining animals from “free-to-good home” ads, theft, and rounding up stray animals to sell to researchers.
Pets on Trains Act of 2013 - H.R. 2066
This act would direct Amtrak to create pet policies that would allow passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain Amtrak routes of less than 750 miles.
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety
(PUPS) Act – H.R. 847 / S. 395
This act would require that dog breeders who annually sell more than 50 puppies directly to the public (including Internet sales) be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act, and that dogs in their care be provided with access to daily exercise that allows them to move freely.
By Sarah Zumhofe
CAPC in Action
The CAPC is currently made up of 135 members and they have been busy. In the 111th Congress (2009-2011) CAPC worked on
requiring accurate labels on fur products and banning the practice of “shark finning.” In the 112th Congress (2011-2013) the CAPC focused efforts on the passage of legislation to prohibit
horse slaughter for human consumption. Now in the 113th Congress, the organization has so far hosted briefings regarding increased protections for African lions, the problematic use of antibiotics in industrial agriculture operations, and the abusive soring techniques used on Tennessee walking horses. Since 2009, the CAPC has worked to enact a variety of legislation on a wide variety of topics. The following are acts which have been
signed:
H. R. 5566 Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010
111th Congress, December 9, 2010
With the explanation that, “The Federal Government and the States have a compelling interest in preventing intentional acts of extreme animal cruelty,” this initiative banned the production and distribution of animal crush videos. This a practice which “depicts actual conduct in which one or more living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury.”
Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act
112th Congress (signed in 113th)
Signed into law as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, what began its legislative life as H.R 366 makes knowingly attending an animal fight punishable by fines and up to a year in prison and makes
it a separate offense, with even higher penalties, to knowingly bring a minor to such an event.
What’s Next?
For this congressional session, CAPC has been working on a wide array of animal protection legislation including several bills
which apply to pet animals. These include:
Pet Safety and Protection Act – H.R. 2224
This act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally. This legislation is intended to address the issue of “Class B” dealers obtaining animals from “free-to-good home” ads, theft, and rounding up stray animals to sell to researchers.
Pets on Trains Act of 2013 - H.R. 2066
This act would direct Amtrak to create pet policies that would allow passengers to transport domesticated cats or dogs on certain Amtrak routes of less than 750 miles.
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety
(PUPS) Act – H.R. 847 / S. 395
This act would require that dog breeders who annually sell more than 50 puppies directly to the public (including Internet sales) be licensed under the Animal Welfare Act, and that dogs in their care be provided with access to daily exercise that allows them to move freely.
By Sarah Zumhofe
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