We Need an Animal Abuse Registry in Virginia Today!

Many shelter and rescue animals have already had hard lives. A simple Google search returns a myriad of cases of animals who were thankfully rescued from horrible conditions and animal abuse.

Not all animals are fortunate enough to be rescued, but for the ones that are, we imagine that their next owner will give them the love and attention they deserve after such a horrible beginning.

But how can we be sure?

Since 2010 — starting in NY — jurisdictions around the country have been implementing animal abuse registries. The registry, similar to the sex offender registry used widely by law enforcement and the public, helps document and keep tags on animal abusers and ensure they never get the chance to own a pet again.

In 2015 Tennessee became the to implement a statewide program. And now, if Senate Bill 32 passes, Virginia will join Tennessee in creating a statewide animal abuse registry.

The VA registry would be available to the public and would be particularly helpful to breeders, shelters, and stores so that they can check it before sending an animal home with an abuser.

These programs are extremely important and could be the difference between life and death for a companion animal.

Let's tell the Virginia Senate that we support their efforts to pass an animal abuse registry. Sign the petition and tell them you are behind SB 32 100%. Then write your representative and tell them you want an animal abuse registry in your state too.