BARK Act of 2025

This bill protects people and organizations from being sued or charged with a crime when they donate pet food and supplies in good faith to help animals. It covers donations that meet quality and labeling standards but may not be sellable due to appearance or age, and also allows for donations of items that don't fully meet standards if the recipient is told and agrees to fix them before giving them out.

Sec. 2, Protections for good faith donations of pet food and supplies: The bill defines key terms like 'pet' (a domesticated animal kept for pleasure), 'pet food' (edible substances for animals), 'pet supply' (items like carriers, bedding, and bowls), and 'qualified animal' (pets, emotional support animals, and service animals). It says that a person, nonprofit, or government that donates or receives apparently fit pet-related products in good faith is not liable for civil or criminal charges based on the product's condition. This protection does not apply if the injury or death is caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct. If donated pet food or supplies don't meet all standards, the donor is still protected if the recipient is told about the defects, agrees to fix them, and knows how to do so properly. The bill does not create any new liability or override state or local laws.