Supporting Our Shelters Act

The Supporting Our Shelters Act would amend the Animal Welfare Act to create a federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. The program provides grants to eligible entities (as defined by the Act) to strengthen their ability to care for animals in their custody. Grants can cover feeding, sheltering, veterinary care, recreational activities, and the hiring, training, and retention of staff. Grants would last up to three years and could be renewed if the grantee submits a report before the term ends. Recipients must annually report on the number of animals taken in, outcomes for those animals, and how grant funds were used. The Secretary would also report to Congress each year on how funds were used to improve animal care. Regulations to implement the program would be issued within 180 days of enactment for the program, and again within 180 days after the provision’s enactment.