Figures, Shreve Introduce Bill to Expand Support for Rural Animal Shelters

WASHINGTON - Today, Representatives Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) and Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) introduced the Rural Animal Shelter Investment Act, bipartisan legislation to help rural animal shelters access existing federal funding to build, expand, or improve their facilities.

Animal shelters play an important role in rural communities. They rescue and care for animals, support public health, and often fill gaps where veterinary services are limited.

Yet many rural shelters operate on tight budgets and have not fully accessed federal support available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Over the past decade, rural shelters have received funding through this program only a handful of times.

The Rural Animal Shelter Investment Act clarifies that animal shelters qualify as "Essential Community Facilities" under the USDA program, helping local shelters apply for funding to improve facilities and better serve their communities.

"Animal shelters in rural communities house and care for animals in critical need," said Figures."This bipartisan bill will help animal shelters apply for more federal funding to support their work."

"Rural animal shelters are part of the fabric of our communities," said Shreve. "This is a simple fix. It makes clear that shelters are eligible for existing federal support so they can build, expand, and improve the facilities they rely on every day."

Read the full bill here.