Since December 22nd last year, the U.S. government has shut down a slew of essential services and functions due to a lack of federal funding.
One key component of the shutdown has been the USDA, who have abandoned many of their key activities and responsibilities in relation to animal welfare.
The USDA is responsible for inspecting research labs, animal breeders and dealers (including puppy mills), and exhibitors of exotic animals like roadside circuses to ensure they meet the minimum animal care standards. However, all these functions have now stopped.
In addition to this, the USDA’s Animal Care hotline that people previously used to report abuse is out of action.
With officials no longer there to hold people accountable, who can we turn to for help if we spot animal abuse or cruelty?
Luckily, there are plenty of amazing organizations throughout the country that offer their own hotlines or reporting avenues.
If you see or learn of any animal welfare violations, reach out to one of the following organizations:
- PETA: 757-962-TELL or [email protected]
- Humane Society of the United States
- WeTip Anonymous Crime Reporting Hotline 1-800-78-CRIME
- ASPCA advise calling your local animal shelter or animal control agency for advice
- The Animal Legal & Historical Center offer a comprehensive table covering each state, advising you where to report different types of animal cruelty in your area.
There are countless animal advocacy and welfare organizations, large and small, in almost every town, county, city, and state throughout the U.S. ready and willing to speak up for those who can’t speak themselves. With the “temporary” government shutdown dragging on and no end in sight, it’s up to us to make sure that animal cruelty never goes unreported.

Bitch who shot deer should go to jail for spotlighting. Despicable Hunan as all humans seem to be except a small few.
Yes, always protect and love animals.
Respect all animals except the evil human ones.
Protect and love animals.
Bandes d’ordures
Let’s be clear. This has nothing to do with Trump or the government shutdown. The government has been completely apathetic, when not actively fighting us, FOR DECADES.
It is really annoying to see how easily and successfully the globalist media is able to construct the thought process of the public.
EXCELLENT compilation to keep under a fridge magnet AT ALL TIMES! THANK YOU, LFT!
TRUMP IS BECOMING A MINI HITLER!!!
Michele has RULED! Keep your disgusting LIBERAL politics OFF LFT sites! Go to work for disgusting MSM!
trump’s shutdown has caused unimaginable hurt to people and animals!
And WITHOUT Trump’s stalwart stance to actually PROTECT Americans against invasive caravans and illegal immigration, you have NO IDEA of the UNIMAGINABLE harm on the horizon of our SOVEREIGN nation! This LFT site is about ANIMALS! Keep your liberal politics OUT of it! LFT is helping, TOO, by disseminating the RIGHT stuff!
Thank you for informing the public about our volunteer services that are ever ready to help animals at a moment’s notice. Thank God for volunteers who care.
Thank YOU, Judy, for sharing my sentiments…see above! Others here have lost focus by POLITICIZING animal cruelty, abuse, and torture! STAY FOCUSED AND ON POINT! GOOD girl…!
Well since the USDA is shut down (good news), I guess they are not murdering innocent kittens for now. (?)
I hate those people.
Well since the USDA is shut down (good news), I guess they are not murdering innocent kittens for now. (?)
I hate those people.
The government never really cared about animal abuse, anyway. I’ve been trying for decades now to expose the torture of K9’s behind the scenes (and behind the facade that is carefully constructed to make the public believe the dogs are “partners,” and “fellow officers”).
Maybe it’s because it IS the government which is behind this cruelty. I worked in two city governments, and fought with both of them over their support of cruel events and institutions. The mayors, city councils, county supervisors, etc. have no interest in whether or not animals suffer. And I found from dealing with State and Federal agencies that they’re just as willing to ignore not only pleas for help, but protests and demonstrations, as well.
Do not become discouraged, Sue! I email the White House AD NAUSEUM! And now you see him now you DON’T…Sonny Perdue is GONE! Maybe NOW we will make headway with the USDA and VA and their unconscionably abusive animal labs! You, like I, are on the RIGHT path! STAY STRONG FOR THE ANIMALS AND FORGE ON!