While FOUR PAWS is known for our daring animal rescues all over the world, we also create positive and sustainable changes for animals through our legislative work worldwide. Through our vast network of coalitions and partnerships, FOUR PAWS USA works on public policies that affect animals and supports bills at the federal, state, and local levels that will help improve the lives of animals in America and beyond.  

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Farm System Reform Act (S.271/H.R. 797) 

This bill would put a moratorium on new factory farms, crack down on corporate meatpacking monopolies and hold these corporations responsible for harm caused by factory farms, restore mandatory country of origin labeling for meat, and help level the playing field for smaller, family-owned farms and ranchers.

Latest Action: Referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry on March 6, 2023

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Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act (S.272/H.R. 805)

This bill will hold industrial agriculture operators accountable by requiring them to register high-risk large animal feeding operations, submit disaster preparedness plans, and pay to cover the costs of preparing for and responding to disaster events. It would also restrict the use of certain particularly inhumane methods of depopulation, create new protections for livestock and poultry workers, create new humane transport standards for livestock and poultry, and create new requirements and federal funding for more humane slaughter methods. 

Latest Action: Referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry on March 6, 2023

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Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act (S.557/H.R.1249)

This bill establishes basic financial accountability and transparency for the over $850 million dollars in government-mandated Checkoff fees collected from farmers and ranchers who produce milk, eggs, beef, pork, and many other commodities. This includes creating appropriate safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest, give producers clarity about how their money is spent, and reduce opportunity for abuse through regular audits. 

Coalition Letter Signed by FOUR PAWS

Coalition Rebuttal Letter

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on February 28, 2023

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Fight Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Animal Trafficking (FIGHT) Act (S. 1529/H.R. 2742)

This bill would expand protections for animals provided under the Animal Welfare Act, particularly by enhancing enforcement against dogfighting and cockfighting. It aims to ban  simulcasting and gambling on animal fights in the U.S., and to halt the shipment of mature roosters through the U.S. mail.

Latest Action: Referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry on May 15, 2023

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Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (S. 2037/H.R. 3475)

This bill aims to permanently ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and to prohibit the exportation of horses for slaughter abroad. 

Latest Action: Referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry on June 23, 2023

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Mink: Vectors for Infection Risk in the United States Act (Mink VIRUS Act) (H.R. 3783)

This bill aims to protect public health and human safety by prohibiting factory farming of mink for fur and provide compensation for mink farmers to help them transition to a new business.

Latest Action: Referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry on July 10, 2023

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Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement (CARE) for Animals Act (H.R. 5041)

This bill will strengthen enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by providing the Department of Justice (DoJ) with the same enforcement authority as the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the AWA. This enables the DoJ to seek stronger penalties for repeat offenders, including license revocations, civil penalties, and the use of seizure and forfeiture of animals experiencing harmful treatment.

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on July 27, 2023.

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