Goldie’s Act is critical legislation that would ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is doing its job to protect animals in federally regulated animal businesses, like zoos, circuses, research laboratories and puppy mills. The USDA provides licenses to people and entities who breed or house dogs, cats and other animals for commercial use, and the USDA is supposed to protect the animals kept in these facilities. Far too often, the agency turns a blind eye to blatant cruelty and suffering. To ensure that this is corrected, Congress must pass Goldie’s Act.
Goldie’s Act is the lifeline that animals in commercial facilities need. This critical bill will require the USDA to:
- Conduct better inspections of licensed facilities.
- Provide lifesaving intervention for suffering animals.
- Impose meaningful penalties for violations.
- Promote timely communication with local law enforcement in circumstances of suspected cruelty and neglect.
In a USDA-licensed dog-breeding facility in Iowa, a young Golden Retriever suffered without fresh food, water, or veterinary care. She lived and died in filth, and she never experienced a safe, loving home. She was even denied a name: the breeder who owned her merely referred to her as Golden Retriever #142. We remember her as Goldie.
Goldie was one of hundreds of dogs kept in horrific conditions by this breeder. USDA inspectors documented Goldie’s deterioration month after month, even filming her skeletal condition. They had the authority to help her, but USDA policies failed. Shockingly, her story is not unique. This is why we are calling on Congress to pass Goldie’s Act.
What You Can Do
Please help prevent dogs and other animals from meeting Goldie’s fate. Use the easy form below to email your members of Congress and urge them to support Goldie’s Act. Thank you!
