Today, Senators Reverend Warnock and Tillis introduced the BARK Act, to make it easier for animal shelters to accept pet food and supplies 

Senator Reverend Warnock: “This common-sense, bipartisan legislation protects good-faith donations, making the donation process easier and less stressful, allowing much needed resources to go to dogs and cats waiting for adoption instead of being thrown away”

Senator Tillis: “No shelter pet should have to go hungry when so many pet stores have a surplus of readily available food”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) reintroduced the bipartisan Bring Animals Relief and Kibble Act, which encourages donations to animal shelters by providing liability protections for good-faith donations of pet food and supplies.

“Georgia animal shelters around the state are struggling to keep their doors open, we should make it easier for local businesses to donate pet food and supplies,” said Senator Warnock. “This common-sense, bipartisan legislation protects good-faith donations, making the donation process easier and less stressful, allowing much needed resources to go to dogs and cats waiting for adoption instead of being thrown away.”

“Every year, pet stores throw out surplus pet food, which could easily be donated to feed hungry pets in animal shelters,” said Senator Tillis. “This commonsense legislation removes unnecessary bureaucratic restrictions that keep many pet stores from donating food to animal shelters. No shelter pet should have to go hungry when so many pet stores have a surplus of readily available food.”

The BARK Act will help boost donations of pet food and supplies to animal shelters as shelters across Georgia face overcrowding and rising costs. The bipartisan legislation aims to support overwhelmed animal shelters and reduce wasted pet food and supplies sitting in landfills by providing donor liability protections to businesses, individuals, nonprofits, and government entities that provide good-faith donations of pet food and supplies to animal shelters. 

This bill is endorsed by the Humane World Action Fund, Best Friends Animal Society, Pet Food Institute, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08) and Young Kim (R-CA-40).

Read the BARK Act HERE

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