Cobb Reporter

U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) is one of the sponsors of legislation that would provide liability protection for pet food companies that donate surplus food to animal shelters.

The bipartisan bill is called the Bring Animals Relief and Kibble (BARK) Act, a news release said.

“While the last year and half saw increased pet adoption activity  nationwide, it also revealed a critical need to  bolster pet food supplies for these animal shelters,” McBath said in a statement. “In the face of  COVID-related challenges, the BARK Act will eliminate  barriers, mitigate waste and direct surplus pet food to shelters in need. I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that will nurture  America’s  shelter animals as they await adoption to their forever homes.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Fred Upton (R-MI) and Young Kim (R-CA).

“No shelter pet should go hungry, especially not when pet stores nationwide are throwing away surplus food,” Raskin said in a staetment. “We can empower pet stores to instead donate to animal shelters by removing bureaucratic disincentives. The BARK Act will give pet stores  the same protections that grocery stores and markets already have when donating to food banks. This is a commonsense, bipartisan way to increase efficiency, reduce waste and promote charity for animals. I’m  thankful to Reps. Upton, McBath and Kim for joining me in this effort.”

According to Kim, there are nearly eight million animals in shelters struggling with food shortages.

"At the same time, millions of pounds of useable pet supplies are wasted each year that could be going to animals in need,” the congresswoman said. “I’m glad to help lead this commonsense, bipartisan effort to reduce waste in landfills and support animal shelters in need.”