If You Abuse an Animal, You Shouldn't Simply Get Another One
The Issue
If You Abuse an Animal, You Shouldn't Simply Get Another One
Every year, millions of dogs and cats enter shelters and rescues across the United States. Shelters are struggling with capacity while rescue organizations and foster homes work tirelessly to save the animals they can.
At the same time, our laws still leave significant gaps in preventing convicted animal abusers from obtaining more animals.
Federal law already prohibits certain extreme acts of animal cruelty and animal fighting. But we need stronger prevention after a conviction—not simply punishment after another animal has already been harmed.
We are asking Congress to establish a meaningful federal framework that:
• Prohibits individuals convicted of serious animal cruelty, animal fighting, or severe criminal neglect from owning, possessing, breeding, selling, or acquiring animals for a substantial period after conviction.
• Establishes stronger or lifetime restrictions for repeat offenders and the most egregious cases of intentional torture or organized animal fighting, with appropriate judicial due process.
• Prevents individuals subject to these restrictions from obtaining or maintaining federal licenses to commercially breed or sell animals.
• Creates meaningful penalties for knowingly violating an animal-possession prohibition.
• Improves coordination between federal, state, and local authorities so existing animal-welfare laws can actually be enforced.
This is not about punishing responsible pet owners experiencing financial hardship, illness, housing emergencies, or other legitimate difficulties.
This is about people who have been criminally convicted of seriously harming or neglecting animals.
Animals cannot protect themselves from repeat offenders.
A conviction for serious animal abuse should mean more than a fine, probation, or jail sentence.
It should also mean losing the privilege of having another animal to abuse.
We urge Congress to pass comprehensive federal animal-abuse accountability legislation and create meaningful protections against repeat animal cruelty.
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The Issue
If You Abuse an Animal, You Shouldn't Simply Get Another One
Every year, millions of dogs and cats enter shelters and rescues across the United States. Shelters are struggling with capacity while rescue organizations and foster homes work tirelessly to save the animals they can.
At the same time, our laws still leave significant gaps in preventing convicted animal abusers from obtaining more animals.
Federal law already prohibits certain extreme acts of animal cruelty and animal fighting. But we need stronger prevention after a conviction—not simply punishment after another animal has already been harmed.
We are asking Congress to establish a meaningful federal framework that:
• Prohibits individuals convicted of serious animal cruelty, animal fighting, or severe criminal neglect from owning, possessing, breeding, selling, or acquiring animals for a substantial period after conviction.
• Establishes stronger or lifetime restrictions for repeat offenders and the most egregious cases of intentional torture or organized animal fighting, with appropriate judicial due process.
• Prevents individuals subject to these restrictions from obtaining or maintaining federal licenses to commercially breed or sell animals.
• Creates meaningful penalties for knowingly violating an animal-possession prohibition.
• Improves coordination between federal, state, and local authorities so existing animal-welfare laws can actually be enforced.
This is not about punishing responsible pet owners experiencing financial hardship, illness, housing emergencies, or other legitimate difficulties.
This is about people who have been criminally convicted of seriously harming or neglecting animals.
Animals cannot protect themselves from repeat offenders.
A conviction for serious animal abuse should mean more than a fine, probation, or jail sentence.
It should also mean losing the privilege of having another animal to abuse.
We urge Congress to pass comprehensive federal animal-abuse accountability legislation and create meaningful protections against repeat animal cruelty.
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Petition created on September 7, 2026