On a recent visit to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL Iowa), Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) met with staff and animals to underscore his commitment to federal animal-welfare reform, including the unveiling of his bipartisan legislation to ban commercial greyhound racing nationwide.
A Hands-On Visit with ARL Iowa
According to his office and social-media posts, Rep. Nunn toured the ARL Iowa facility this week, meeting with shelter staff, volunteers, and adoptable dogs. Facebook+2Facebook+2
During the visit, ARL Iowa’s leadership expressed gratitude for Nunn’s partnership and interest in advancing stronger animal protections at the federal level. In remarks tied to his legislative proposal, ARL Iowa president Tom Colvin noted:
“I’m grateful to Congressman Nunn for working to make it a national policy to treat greyhounds well and to stop wagering on races that put dogs at needless risk of catastrophic injury.” Zach Nunn for Congress+1
The setting provided a backdrop for Nunn to frame his broader agenda on companion-animal welfare, including his previously introduced bills addressing puppy-mill oversight, which ARL Iowa has supported. VoterVoice+1
The Greyhound Protection Act: What’s Being Proposed
Rep. Nunn co-sponsored the bipartisan Greyhound Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 5017), which was introduced on August 22, 2025, by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and joined by Nunn among others. Congress.gov+1
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Amending the federal Animal Welfare Act to prohibit commercial greyhound racing, live-lure training, and “open-field coursing” events where greyhounds are raced or trained for gambling purposes. Congress.gov+1
- Banning in-person and online wagering on greyhound races domestically and abroad. Zach Nunn for Congress+1
- Preventing the export of U.S.-bred greyhounds for racing purposes abroad. Salud Carbajal
- Setting criminal penalties for violations—up to 7 years imprisonment or fines under the amended Animal Welfare Act. Congress.gov
In his statement, Rep. Nunn said:
“Greyhound racing is a cruel and inhumane practice that has no place anywhere in this country. Iowa shut down its last greyhound track because our communities recognized the cruelty behind this industry. This bill follows Iowa’s lead, ensuring man’s best friend is treated with the care and respect every dog deserves.” Zach Nunn for Congress+1
Advocacy groups have applauded the effort. The bill has endorsements from more than 250 animal-rights organizations. Salud Carbajal+1
Why This Matters in Iowa & the U.S.
While 44 states—including Iowa—have already banned live greyhound racing, proponents say federal legislation is needed to close remaining legal and regulatory loopholes, especially for online wagering and export. Center for a Humane Economy
The timing is notable for Iowa, which has a well-known history of animal-welfare advocacy and a legacy of closing its greyhound racing track. Using Iowa as an example helps Nunn strengthen the moral and policy case for national reform.
Challenges Ahead & Strategic Outlook
- Legislative pathway: H.R. 5017 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. Congress.gov
- Opposition: While the greyhound-racing industry is dramatically diminished, interests tied to simulcast betting, dog-breeding exports, and states with embedded track subsidies may push back. Ripon Advance+1
- Animal-welfare synergy: This bill complements other reforms—including those targeting puppy-mill oversight and captive wildlife—suggesting a broader agenda that animal-welfare advocates may leverage.
- Communication strategy: The ARL Iowa visit gives Nunn a concrete “on-the-ground” story to frame the reform: from local center to national policy. This resonant narrative can help his allies in Iowa’s animal-protection community amplify the bill’s message.
Implications for Advocates & Stakeholders
- For shelters and rescue groups: The federal ban on greyhound racing can reduce downstream burdens—fewer racing dogs needing rehoming—and strengthen the argument for federal-state partnerships on companion-animal welfare.
- For advocacy coalitions: The bipartisan nature of the legislation provides a strategic opening to build cross-party coalitions, emphasizing shared values rather than partisan divides.
- For messaging in Iowa: The linkage between the local ARL Iowa visit, the experiences of greyhound and other dogs, and federal reform makes for a compelling “Iowa story” that can be used in press releases, social-media outreach, and legislative testimony.
Looking Ahead
Rep. Nunn’s visit to ARL Iowa and the launch of H.R. 5017 mark a key moment in the ongoing shift toward stronger federal companion-animal protections. With growing public awareness of greyhound-racing abuses and dwindling industry infrastructure, the policy window is open—but advocates will still need to:
- Track Committee hearings and markup schedules.
- Cultivate additional cosponsors from both parties.
- Mobilize constituent voices in Iowa’s 3rd District.
- Align the greyhound effort with other animal-protection initiatives (puppy-mill reform, uniform standards for pet-industry licensing, captive wildlife oversight).
For ARL Iowa and allied organizations, Rep. Nunn’s visit offers an opportunity to highlight local-to-national linkages—underscoring how Iowa’s leadership in animal-welfare reform can now scale to federal policy.
