What the 2025 Government Shutdown Means for Animals, Shelters, and Wildlife

Oct 1

As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government has entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass any of the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund federal agencies for the new fiscal year. While the political fight in Washington dominates headlines, the consequences ripple far beyond the halls of Congress — and many of them will directly impact animals, wildlife conservation, and the work of animal shelters across the country.

Here’s what the shutdown means for animals and the people working to protect them.

National Parks, Refuges, and Conservation Work: Paused or Closed

One of the most immediate consequences is the closure of national parks and wildlife refuges. Without funding, agencies like the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are forced to furlough most of their staff.

Parks and refuges close or operate without services. Visitor centers, restrooms, and maintenance stop. Overflowing trash and unattended trails can pose hazards to both people and animals.
Wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts pause. Critical habitat restoration, endangered species protections, and field research are delayed — setbacks that can take months or even years to recover from.
EPA enforcement slows. Pollution monitoring and habitat protection under the Environmental Protection Agency are significantly reduced, threatening ecosystems and species that rely on them.

The one wildlife-related activity that does continue? The USDA’s Wildlife Services “animal damage control” program — which often involves lethal removal of animals like coyotes, bears, and mountain lions. It’s considered “essential,” so wildlife killing operations can continue even as conservation work stops.

Animal Shelters: Facing Delays, Funding Gaps, and Higher Demand

While most animal shelters in the U.S. are run by local governments or nonprofit organizations, many benefit from federal support in indirect but important ways. A prolonged shutdown can disrupt that support system in several key areas:

Federal grants and reimbursements are delayed. Shelters that rely on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for disaster response, community outreach, or spay/neuter programs may see delays in payments or approvals.
USDA inspections stop. Routine inspections under the Animal Welfare Act — covering commercial dog breeders (including puppy mills), roadside zoos, circuses, and research labs — are halted. Without federal inspectors, facilities that cut corners or neglect animals are less likely to be caught.
Complaint response slows. Some staff remain “on call” to investigate severe welfare complaints, but enforcement is minimal.
Disaster preparedness and response coordination slows. In emergencies such as hurricanes or wildfires, shelters often rely on federal agencies for coordination and resources. Shutdown-related staff reductions can make emergency response less effective, leaving shelters to shoulder more responsibility on their own.
More animals may enter shelters. If federal wildlife or agriculture agencies reduce enforcement — for example, by suspending inspections of puppy mills or roadside zoos — more neglected animals could end up in the shelter system. Similarly, disruptions in wildlife rescue operations might shift the burden of care to local organizations.

This lack of oversight can have devastating effects, particularly for animals in large-scale breeding operations or laboratories where federal inspections are the only line of defense against neglect and abuse.

For smaller shelters and rescue groups already operating with limited resources, even short-term disruptions can strain their ability to care for animals and place them in homes.

Wildlife Protection and Enforcement: A Patchwork System

Federal law enforcement officers who protect wildlife and enforce conservation laws are typically classified as essential personnel, meaning some patrols and anti-poaching operations will continue. But reduced staffing across agencies means:

Fewer inspections and investigations. Enforcement of wildlife trafficking laws and protections under the Endangered Species Act will slow significantly.
Reduced capacity to respond to emergencies. Oil spills, wildfires, or disease outbreaks affecting wildlife may face delays in federal response coordination.
Limited international cooperation. Efforts to monitor illegal wildlife trade at borders may be affected if non-essential staff are furloughed.

In short, the infrastructure that protects wildlife doesn’t disappear during a shutdown — but it operates with severe limitations.

Humane Slaughter Oversight Weakens

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will continue essential operations, including meat and poultry inspections to protect public health. However, oversight of humane handling and slaughter regulations may weaken. If violations occur, they’re less likely to be investigated or penalized — potentially leading to more animal suffering in slaughterhouses.

Wild Horses, Burros, and Other Federal Animal Programs

Some protections remain in place. Employees responsible for feeding and caring for the 50,000+ wild horses and burros in federal holding facilities are considered essential, so those animals will continue receiving care.

However, roundups (“gathers”) on public lands are paused, which is actually a temporary relief — these controversial operations often lead to overcrowded holding pens and long-term captivity for wild equines.

Animals in Federal Research: Delays and Risks

Animals in federal research facilities at the NIH and FDA continue to receive basic care, including feeding and daily oversight. However, the shutdown creates several risks and delays:

Research delays: Efforts to phase out animal testing, in line with FDA and NIH goals, are likely paused, slowing the development of alternative methods.
Funding risks: Delays in NIH research grants may force temporary euthanasia of animal subjects, only for new animals to be introduced once funding resumes.
EPA setbacks: Nearly 90% of EPA staff are furloughed, including those developing and testing non-animal methods. Limited staffing threatens progress toward eliminating animal testing.

While animals continue to receive daily care, the shutdown disrupts critical research, slows reform efforts, and puts both research animals and scientific progress at risk.

What This Means for Animals — and What Comes Next

A government shutdown doesn’t stop wildlife from needing protection or animals from needing care. It simply removes or weakens the federal systems designed to provide that protection. From endangered species monitoring and habitat restoration to shelter funding and enforcement of animal welfare laws, critical safeguards are either paused or significantly scaled back.

If the shutdown is resolved quickly, many programs can resume with minimal long-term impact. But a prolonged funding lapse risks serious consequences for wildlife conservation projects, increases pressure on already overburdened shelters, and leaves gaps in the nation’s animal welfare safety net.

The bottom line is clear: protecting wildlife and supporting the shelters that care for animals requires stable, sustained government action. Until lawmakers reach an agreement, animals — both wild and domestic — will continue to bear the cost of political gridlock.

How You Can Help

Support your local shelters and rescues. Donations, fosters, and adoptions are more important than ever during times of instability.
Contact your representatives. Let them know that protecting animals, public lands, and humane enforcement should never be political bargaining chips.
Stay informed. Follow credible animal welfare organizations and advocacy groups for updates on how the shutdown is impacting animals near you.

Sources

U.S. Department of Agriculture. “FY2025 Lapse in Appropriations Contingency Plans.” September 30, 2025.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Contingency Plan for Operations in the Absence of Appropriations.” 2025.
Humane Society Legislative Fund. “What a Government Shutdown Means for Animals.” Animals & Politics Blog, December 2018.
OFW Law. “How Will USDA Operate During a Government Shutdown?” September 30, 2025.
National Park Service. “Contingency Plan Guidance.” U.S. Department of the Interior, 2025.