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Bill

HR 9319

Keeping Pets and Families Together Act

119th Congress Introduced by Ted Lieu and 2 co-sponsors

The bill directs federal cooperation with shelters to expand dog and cat microchipping to improve identification, welfare, and rehoming outcomes.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9319

Bill at a glance

  • Bill: HR 9319
  • Session: 119
  • Jurisdiction: United States
  • Title: To amend the Animal Welfare Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements to support the microchipping of dogs and cats in the care of animal shelters or similar establishments, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced: 2026-06-15
  • Referred to: House Committee on Agriculture
  • Sponsor: (Primary) not listed; Co-sponsor: Ted Lieu

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to promote microchipping of dogs and cats that are in the care of animal shelters or similar establishments. The core objective is to improve identification, welfare, and rehoming outcomes for companion animals by facilitating the use of microchips through formal federal engagement with shelters and similar facilities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities (likely animal shelters, humane organizations, or related facilities) to support microchipping efforts for dogs and cats in their care.
  • Establishes a framework for federal support to microchipping initiatives, potentially including funding, technical assistance, training, or other resources as part of the cooperative agreements.
  • Integrates the microchipping goal within the scope of the Animal Welfare Act, aligning with existing welfare standards and enforcement mechanisms administered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or related agencies within the Department of Agriculture.
  • May specify eligibility criteria for facilities to participate in cooperative agreements, reporting requirements, and performance metrics to assess the impact of microchipping programs.
  • May address implementation timelines, funding levels or budgeting considerations, and any reporting or oversight requirements to ensure accountability and effectiveness.

Note: The exact text could further detail program parameters (eligible costs, duration of agreements, match requirements, etc.). The summary reflects the bill’s stated focus on leveraging cooperative agreements to expand microchipping in shelters.

Affected parties

  • Primary: Dogs and cats in the care of shelters or similar establishments.
  • Shelters and related facilities: Entities engaged in housing, caring for, or facilitating adoption of companion animals.
  • The Secretary of Agriculture (as the lead federal official responsible for implementing the cooperative agreements under the Animal Welfare Act).
  • Potential beneficiaries include shelter staff, veterinarians, and adopted pets and their future families, through improved identification and rehoming outcomes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture on 2026-06-15, signaling the initial step in the legislative process to develop, amend, or advance the bill.
  • As a 119th Congress bill, it would need to pass the House and Senate (and be signed by the President) to become law, subject to legislative negotiations and potential amendments.
  • If enacted, the cooperative agreements would likely include start date expectations, duration (such as multiple-year cycles), and milestones tied to microchip deployment and reporting.
  • Oversight and evaluation provisions may require periodic reports on program reach, microchip implantation rates, and outcomes related to animal identification and reunification.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public welfare and animal welfare: Improved identification could facilitate faster reunification of lost pets, better tracking of microchip data, and enhanced care coordination.
  • Operational impact on shelters: Shelters may incur initial costs and administrative requirements to participate, with federal support offsetting or guiding these efforts.
  • Data and privacy considerations: Use of microchip data must align with privacy and data-sharing standards for pet owners, shelters, and registries.
  • Funding and scalability: The bill’s effectiveness depends on funding sufficiency, the design of cooperative agreements, and coordination with existing microchip registries and veterinary networks.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to current Animal Welfare Act provisions or summarize related existing programs on shelter microchipping for additional context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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