🐕 Advocacy Center

Support the B.A.R.K. Act for West Virginia

Breeder Accountability and Regulation for Kindness Act

Your voice matters. Contact your legislators today.

Comprehensive canine welfare reform for West Virginia

Third-party service. Text RESIST to 50409, then compose your own message about the B.A.R.K. Act using our template below.

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Call Your Rep

Find your legislator below, then use our phone script to call them directly.

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Track on Countable

Follow bill progress and get notified when action is needed.

🔍 Find Your Legislators

Select your county to find your WV State Senator and House Delegates.

✉️ Email Template

Customize this template with your information, then send to your legislators.

Dear [LEGISLATOR_NAME],

I am writing to urge your support for the Breeder Accountability and Regulation for Kindness Act (B.A.R.K. Act), proposed legislation that would comprehensively reform canine welfare in West Virginia.

As your constituent, I believe this bill addresses critical gaps in our current animal welfare system:

**Why the B.A.R.K. Act Matters:**
• Establishes a 14-day "finder immunity" period protecting Good Samaritans who help stray animals
• Requires 24-hour digital posting of impounded animals—modernizing our 1951-era notification laws
• Creates regional animal control authorities to help underserved rural counties pool resources
• Implements universal breeder licensing with welfare standards and mandatory inspections
• Restricts harmful continuous tethering practices that cause animal suffering

**Key Provisions:**
• Self-funding through license fees—no taxpayer burden
• Consumer protections against puppy mill abuses
• Supports responsible breeders while cracking down on bad actors
• Mandatory microchip scanning at intake to reunite lost pets with owners faster

West Virginia has 55 counties with vastly different animal welfare resources. The B.A.R.K. Act provides the framework to ensure every community—urban and rural—can protect animals humanely.

I respectfully ask that you:
1. Co-sponsor the B.A.R.K. Act when introduced
2. Support its passage through committee
3. Vote YES on the floor

Thank you for your service to our community and your consideration of this important animal welfare legislation.

Sincerely,
[YOUR_NAME]
[YOUR_ADDRESS]
[YOUR_CITY], WV [YOUR_ZIP]
[YOUR_PHONE]

📞 Phone Script

Use this script when calling your legislators. Calls are more impactful than emails!

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/TOWN].

I'm calling to ask [SENATOR/DELEGATE NAME] to support the B.A.R.K. Act—the Breeder Accountability and Regulation for Kindness Act.

This bill would:
• Protect Good Samaritans who help stray animals with a 14-day finder immunity period
• Require shelters to post found animals online within 24 hours
• Help rural counties pool resources for animal control
• License breeders and require humane standards

Can I count on [SENATOR/DELEGATE NAME] to co-sponsor and support this important animal welfare legislation?

[PAUSE FOR RESPONSE]

Thank you for your time. Please let [SENATOR/DELEGATE NAME] know that animal welfare is important to voters in this district.

📣 Share on Social Media

Spread the word! Use these pre-written posts or customize your own.

𝕏 Twitter/X

🐕 Support the #BARKAct for West Virginia! This bill would: ✅ Protect Good Samaritans helping strays (14-day immunity) ✅ Modernize shelter notification (24hr digital posting) ✅ Help rural counties with animal control ✅ License breeders with humane standards Contact your WV legislator today! #WVpol #AnimalWelfare

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📘 Facebook

🐾 West Virginia needs the B.A.R.K. Act! 🐾 The Breeder Accountability and Regulation for Kindness Act would transform animal welfare in our state: 🏠 14-day "finder immunity" for Good Samaritans 📱 24-hour digital posting requirement for shelters 🤝 Regional authorities for rural counties ✅ Breeder licensing with welfare standards ⛓️ Anti-tethering protections This is comprehensive, self-funding reform that protects animals WITHOUT burdening taxpayers. Contact your state legislators and ask them to support the B.A.R.K. Act! #BARKAct #WestVirginia #AnimalWelfare #EndPuppyMills

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Suggested Hashtags:

#BARKAct#WVpol#AnimalWelfare#EndPuppyMills#WestVirginia#Mayday

📋 B.A.R.K. Act Quick Facts

What It Does

✅ 14-day finder immunity for Good Samaritans
✅ 24-hour digital posting of impounded animals
✅ Universal breeder licensing (no exemptions)
✅ Maximum 20 breeding dogs per operation
✅ Tethering limited to 10 hours per day
✅ Regional authorities for rural counties

Why It Matters

🐕 Protects animals from puppy mills
🏠 Empowers citizens to help strays safely
📱 Modernizes 1951-era notification laws
💰 Self-funding—no taxpayer burden
🤝 Helps underserved rural counties
⚖️ Consumer protection for pet buyers

View full B.A.R.K. Act summary in Compliance & Resources →

💡 Advocacy Tips

Be Personal

Share why animal welfare matters to you. Personal stories are more compelling than form letters.

Be Specific

Ask for a specific action: "Will you co-sponsor the B.A.R.K. Act?"

Be Respectful

Staff remember polite constituents. Anger doesn't change votes.

Follow Up

If you call, send an email too. If they commit, thank them publicly.

This advocacy page is provided by Mayday / PROVENIQ Foundation

Not affiliated with any political party or campaign