The BARK Act of 2025 provides legal protection to individuals, nonprofits, and government agencies that donate pet food and supplies to animal rescue organizations and shelters. The law shields donors, nonprofits, and state and local governments from civil or criminal liability when they donate products in good faith, as long as the items meet federal, state, and local quality and labeling standards—even if they're not easily sellable due to age, appearance, or condition. The protections cover donations intended for pets, emotional support animals, and service animals. However, these liability protections do not apply if someone acts with gross negligence or intentional misconduct that causes injury or death. The bill also allows donations of substandard products if the receiving organization is informed of the defects and agrees to recondition them before distribution, provided the organization has the knowledge to do so properly.
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