Keeping Pets and Families Together Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9319
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Animals
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-29T22:57:13Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to support microchipping of dogs and cats in animal shelters or similar facilities to help reunite pets with their original owners or facilitate adoptions and transfers.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program for entering into cooperative agreements with state and local governments. These agreements would fund the microchipping of dogs and cats before they are returned to owners, adopted, or moved to other shelters or rescue groups.
- Eligible Entities: Funding and support target pounds or shelters run by states or local governments, as well as private humane societies or similar organizations under contract with such governments that release animals voluntarily.
- Definition: A "unit of local government" is defined as a county, municipality, town, township, village, or similar general government entity below the state level.
- Funding Authorization: Up to $5,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, subject to available appropriations.
- Reporting Requirement: By December 31, 2030, the Secretary must submit a report to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. This report must evaluate the program's effectiveness, recommend whether to extend it for another five years, and estimate needed funding for any extension.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill adds a new section 28A to the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), creating a federal microchipping support program that did not previously exist in the law. No other sections of the Animal Welfare Act are altered.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture would administer the program through cooperative agreements, potentially increasing its workload in animal welfare oversight and funding distribution.
- Citizens: Pet owners might benefit from higher rates of pet recovery via microchips, reducing the chance of permanent separation from their animals.
- International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders
- State and local governments operating animal shelters.
- Private animal care organizations (such as humane societies) under government contracts.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Pet owners and animal rescue groups.
- Congressional committees overseeing agriculture policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The legislation operates within the existing framework of the Animal Welfare Act, which falls under Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and agriculture. It introduces no apparent constitutional conflicts and focuses solely on domestic animal welfare funding without broader political or legal expansions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keeping Pets and Families Together Act — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (3 pages)