BARK Act of 2025

The Bring Animals Relief and Kibble Act of 2025 (BARK Act) would shield donors, nonprofit organizations, and state or local governments from civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of pet foods and supplies donated in good faith for ultimate distribution to qualified animals. The goal is to reduce legal risk to charitable groups and government programs that collect, process, and distribute pet supplies, thereby encouraging more donations. The bill also creates a pathway for partial compliance: donations that don’t meet all standards can still be donated if the recipient agrees to recondition the items to meet quality and labeling standards and is knowledgeable about those standards. The act clarifies that it does not create new liability and must align with existing health regulations. It defines key terms (e.g., “apparently fit,” “donate,” “pet,” “pet food,” “pet supply,” “qualified animal”) and references definitions used in related nutrition programs.