Which act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to facilitate a grants program to assist victims of domestic violence and allows for restitution to include veterinary services relating to care for a pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse?

• A. Violence Against Women Act
• B. Animal Welfare Act
• C. Farm Security Act
• D. Pet and Women Safety Act

Answer: (D)

This question hinges on recognizing a statute that explicitly links domestic violence relief with support for victims’ animals and assigns responsibility to the Secretary of Agriculture to run a grants program, including veterinary care as restitution. The Pet and Women Safety Act is designed to address exactly this gap: it authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to facilitate a grants program to assist victims of domestic violence and specifies that restitution can include veterinary services for care of a pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse. This helps victims escape abusive situations by mitigating the burden of leaving behind or caring for animals.

The Violence Against Women Act broadens protections and funding for victim services and law enforcement, but it does not create a USDA-grants program or authorize animal-related restitution. The Animal Welfare Act governs humane treatment of animals in commerce and research and does not deal with DV victim grants or restitution. The Farm Security Act relates to rural development and farm support, not DV victim assistance tied to animal care. Therefore, thePet and Women Safety Act is the one that matches the described authorities and restitution provisions.