This would be a federal database for all of the United States. The database would have an updated record of all United States citizens whom possess Animal Cruelty, Neglect, or Abuse charges. This is important for animal clinics, shelters, organizations, and individuals who sell animals. By having this public database and searching a first name, last name, and DOB (Date of Birth), an animal seller can ensure the animal will be treated with care and not neglected. This can make a difference in numerous venues. By having this easy and attainable public database, the number of repeat offenders could become limited.

Another form of this plea began in Seattle in 2013, however, after insufficient funds the site was no longer active. Maria Berrios, Democratic State Representative for Illinois has recently taken initiative to begin to work towards this national database; however the numbers of the American people have to speak for the need. Help make this a federal mandate! As humans, we were given the privilege to protect others species, ranging from wild to domestic animals, help ensure that we can do that as a nation!

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

As of now, many shelters and organizations do not have the funds to do criminal background checks for every applicant. However, this would change that. Along with individuals who sell animals, many charitable no-kill shelters will have access to this public database. This also would prevent people with these charges to be employed by Zoo's, Farming with animals, and working in the food industry for meat packing with animals.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOUR TAXES?

The site would be federally funded, meaning it would be paid for with taxes. However, statistics show that 80% of people who have a criminal background of animal abuse WILL become a repeat offender. THAT MEANS 8 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE WILL FIND A WAY TO ABUSE AN ANIMAL AGAIN. As a nation, we need to ensure that we lower this number. As for taxes, your local city and state taxes fund the rehabilitation and veterinary bills for the abused animals. This can range from $1,000-$20,000, in some states and city operated animal centers, PER ANIMAL. Just by saving 8 animals lives, the site would be partially paid for and maintained for a year. Also, the incarceration and jail tax rate for these criminals are at an all-time high, and since the criminalization of this act has become a felony rather than a misdemeanor in almost every state, the jail time is more. Jail time for these criminal averages anywhere from 3 months- 10 years in prison. On average, it costs taxpayers $60,000+ per year of tax money to maintain just one criminal in prison. That means, that if we could eliminate just 4 of the criminals from landing in our prison system, the site would be partially paid for and maintained, for a full year.

Please do research, consider your pro's and con's and sign this petition. Would you give a criminalized drug addict a needle? Please don't hand these abusive criminals an animal. As a Graduate Psychology student studying mental illnesses, this is not an act to be taken lightly. These people are ill and should be treated, not given multiple opportunities to harm living creatures.

AFTER SIGNING, PLEASE SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, REDDIT, OR ANY SOCIAL MEDIA SITE.

Citations and Sources:

http://www.vera.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/Price_of_Prisons_updated_version_072512.pdf

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140110/avondale/animal-abuse-registry-would-be-created-under-rep-toni-berrios-proposal

http://aldf.org/resources/when-your-companion-animal-has-been-harmed/animal-cruelty-and-domestic-violence/