AFTER Act of 2026

This bill would change the Animal Welfare Act so that federal research facilities must create rules for retiring animals they no longer need for research. Within 90 days, after public notice and comment, each federal agency running a research facility would have to issue regulations encouraging adoption or placement of healthy animals with rescue groups, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals who will keep them as pets. Nonhuman primates could be placed only with animal sanctuaries, and rats and mice are not covered. Agencies would also need to consider placements outside their local area and work with nonprofit groups when practicable. The bill would not override stricter state or local animal laws or block placing research chimpanzees in the existing federal chimpanzee sanctuary system.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Susan M. Collins Republican sponsor
• 3 cosponsors