The Better CARE for Animals Act strengthens enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by expanding the Attorney General's power to prosecute animal welfare violations in federal court. The bill allows the Attorney General to seek civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day, obtain injunctions, revoke licenses, and seize animals from violators, while also clarifying that these enforcement actions apply to violations of rules and regulations created under the Animal Welfare Act, not just the law itself. The legislation affects animal dealers, exhibitors, and anyone transporting animals in commerce who must maintain valid, unsuspended licenses. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to establish a memorandum of understanding within 180 days to coordinate enforcement efforts and share information about repeat violators, and it directs penalties and fines collected to be used for temporary care of animals involved in violations. No specific new funding is allocated by the bill, though it creates a mechanism for using penalties collected to support animal care costs during proceedings.
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