There are no federal laws mandating the reporting of suspected animal cruelty, abuse or neglect. However, animal maltreatment is a crime in all states and a majority of states require or permit child welfare workers, adult protective services, veterinary professionals, and others to report known or suspected incidents of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect, often with immunity from civil or criminal liability and confidentiality restrictions.

Animal Cruelty Training

What should you do if you suspect someone is abusing an animal? Should you make a report, and if so how and what information do you need to provide?

Understanding how to navigate these situations can be incredibly challenging. While most states have laws requiring certain individuals to report suspected animal abuse, the processes for making such reports are not as systematized as those for mandatory reporting of child, elder and domestic abuse.

Animal abuse crimes are misdemeanors or felonies and often predict or compound domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse, making it crucial to understand how to handle these incidents. Reporting animal abuse is important not only for the animals’ welfare, but also because when animals are abused, people are at risk; and when people are abused, animals are at risk.

What is Animal Cruelty Training?

Animal cruelty training provides mandated and voluntary reporters with the tools and information they need to identify and report their concerns. Training helps you understand how and when you are required or permitted to report and how client confidentiality and professional liability concerns might impact you. These processes vary widely from state to state, making training essential. These reports are critical to protecting not only our pets but also our families and communities. 

Mandated reporter training helps reporters to better understand their state laws and reporting responsibilities. Start your training today and become a responsible mandated reporter to help you support victims and react appropriately to keep everyone involved safe.