1.4 Animal Damage Control
USDA’s Wildlife Services program (formerly the Animal Damage Control program) provides leadership in managing problems caused by wildlife. Because wildlife can cause significant damage to private and public property, natural resources, agricultural crops, forests, pastures, and urban and rural structures, as well as pose a serious threat to livestock and human health and safety, proper wildlife management is essential. NASDA supports full funding for the USDA Wildlife Services Programs and encourages the U.S. Congress and the Administration to provide the necessary resources to strengthen such programs for the benefit of the American Public.
The emergence and demonstrated spread of rabies in the United States has overwhelmed state rabies control and prevention programs. NASDA supports the appropriation of federal funds to support rabies control and vaccination programs.