Animal Welfare Enforcement Improvement Act

Dealers and exhibitors would have to apply for a new license each calendar year and provide an inventory of animals at all their facilities. The Agriculture Secretary could not license someone found to have violated animal-related laws or if a license would help evade a state or local ban on owning certain animals; businesses the Secretary deems de minimis would be exempt.

Before renewing a license, a dealer or exhibitor would have to show through at least one full, unannounced annual inspection that the facility meets federal animal-care standards and was not documented as failing a standard in more than one inspection during the previous two calendar years. New applicants could receive no more than two inspections within 90 days of applying; failure to meet a standard on the second inspection would mean denial and a one-year wait to reapply.

Dealers and exhibitors would have to arrange regular veterinarian visits to each premises where animals are kept and a physical examination of each animal at least once every 12 months, unless health or safety calls for a different protocol. The standards would also require veterinarian-approved schedules for vaccinations, parasite and pest treatment, and other preventive care.

For a violation the Secretary determines puts animal welfare at risk, the Secretary would have to suspend the license for up to 21 days and, after notice and an informal hearing, permanently revoke it if the violation occurred and persisted past the suspension or the person had another such violation. During a suspension or revocation, the person and certain related people or entities could not hold a license or take part in activities involving animals.

The Agriculture Department would have to post searchable, unredacted information about investigations and inspections, including reports of noncompliance, enforcement records, and animal inventories.