Possible messages

As your constituent and a supporter of the ASPCA, I ask you to please cosponsor the Help Extract Animals from Red Tape (HEART) Act), bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and John Katko (R-NY). This legislation will expedite the rehabilitation process for animals rescued in federal animal fighting cases. Currently, the excessive length of time animals are held as cases work their way through the court system can cause extreme stress to the animals, often resulting in behavioral problems. This judicial red tape prevents animal victims from being fully rehabilitated and adopted. At the same time, local shelters, animal welfare organizations and the federal government are burdened with the high costs of caring for these animals, which may discourage future animal fighting investigations. Animal fighting victims suffer enough at the hands of their abusers. They shouldn’t suffer further while waiting for court cases to clear. Local shelters shouldn’t be discouraged from assisting federal law enforcement because of the high costs of caring for seized animals. The HEART Act will accelerate the rehabilitation process for victims of federal animal fighting cases and will ensure that the animals’ owners continue to bear the financial responsibility for their care.