Tell your representative to act for trafficked animals >>

Save trafficked animals: Support the Wildlife Confiscations Network Act >>

Trafficked animals suffer immensely. After being smuggled in cruel and unsafe conditions, many arrive at US borders frightened, dehydrated, and injured—sometimes barely clinging to life. Each rescued animal needs immediate veterinary care, proper shelter, and specialized placement to have a real chance at survival.

We’re calling on Congress to safeguard trafficked animals by passing the Wildlife Confiscations Network Act. Will you join us?

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R 3538)  would provide essential funding to ensure that confiscated wildlife at US ports of entry is quickly placed in proper care.

Add your voice today to help ensure confiscated animals receive the expert care they need to survive.

First Name

Last Name

Address 1

City

State

ZIP

Country / Region

Mobile Number (optional)**

{contact_data~salutation},

As your constituent, I urge you to support the Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R 3538) to protect trafficked animals and support federal law enforcement in combatting wildlife crime.

Wildlife trafficking harms imperiled animals, disrupts fragile ecosystems, and drives international crime.

In a period of just four years, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officials oversaw 834 cases involving live wildlife denied clearance for entry to the country, representing 48,793 individual live specimens. Trafficked animals, often including imperiled species, have in many cases endured harrowing capture, long journeys in inhumane conditions, lack of food and water, and more. Rapid placement and specialized care are urgently needed for many of these animals to survive, whether they are to be repatriated or given permanent homes at qualified U.S. wildlife facilities.

To address this crisis, in 2023, the USFWS and partners launched a pilot program to establish the Wildlife Confiscations Network in Southern California. This network of wildlife experts and animal care facilities in the region supports federal law enforcement in managing these cases, providing veterinary care and placing confiscated animals in suitable facilities. In just under two years since its initiation, 4,600 animals associated with 135 cases have been successfully placed and given expert care.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act codifies the Wildlife Confiscations Network and authorizing annual funding, helping ensure that animals confiscated at US ports of entry can be effectively and efficiently placed in expert care, thereby significantly increasing their chances of survival.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R 3538) would build on this success and support federal law enforcement in combatting wildlife trafficking by authorizing annual funding for the Wildlife Confiscations Network. Specifically, the bill provides for the establishment of a voluntary, nationwide program, designation of a single point of contact to assist law enforcement, maintenance of a database for qualified facilities, and creation of a review committee to evaluate member applications. Taking these steps will help to ensure that animals confiscated at U.S. ports of entry can be effectively and efficiently placed in expert care, significantly increasing their chances of survival.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act (H.R 3538) has received a Subcommittee Hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, and it is critical that this momentum continues. Accordingly, I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 3538.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

We will keep you updated on our campaigns via email. You can unsubscribe at any time.

**By providing my mobile phone number, I opt-in to receive text messages and phone calls from IFAW.