H. R. 9319

Keeping Pets and Families Together Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-06-15)

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.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Keeping Pets and Families Together Act”.

2. Cooperative agreements to support microchipping of dogs and cats

The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 28 (7 U.S.C. 2158) the following:

28A. Cooperative agreements to support microchipping of dogs and cats
(a) In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary will enter into cooperative agreements with State and local governments for purposes of supporting the capability of entities described in subsection (b) to provide for microchipping of dogs and cats in their care before allowing such dogs or cats to be recovered by their original owner, adopted by other individuals, or transferred to another animal shelter or rescue organization.
(b) Entities described
An entity described in this subsection is—
(1) each pound or shelter owned and operated by a State or a unit of local government; and
(2) each private entity established for the purpose of caring for animals, such as a humane society, or other organization that is under contract with a State or a unit of local government that operates as a pound or shelter and that releases animals on a voluntary basis.
(c) Unit of local government defined
In this section, the term “unit of local government” means a county, municipality, town, township, village, or other unit of general government below the State level.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

3. Report on effectiveness of microchipping program

Not later than December 31, 2030, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that—

(1) assesses the effectiveness of the program established under section 28A of the Animal Welfare Act, as added by section 2;

(2) contains the Secretary’s recommendation on whether to extend such program for an additional 5-fiscal-year period; and

(3) the amount of funding necessary to effectively extend such program over such period.

H. R. 9319

Keeping Pets and Families Together Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-06-15)

2. Cooperative agreements to support microchipping of dogs and cats

The Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 28 (7 U.S.C. 2158) the following:

28A. Cooperative agreements to support microchipping of dogs and cats

(a) In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary will enter into cooperative agreements with State and local governments for purposes of supporting the capability of entities described in subsection (b) to provide for microchipping of dogs and cats in their care before allowing such dogs or cats to be recovered by their original owner, adopted by other individuals, or transferred to another animal shelter or rescue organization.

(b) Entities described

An entity described in this subsection is—

(1) each pound or shelter owned and operated by a State or a unit of local government; and

(2) each private entity established for the purpose of caring for animals, such as a humane society, or other organization that is under contract with a State or a unit of local government that operates as a pound or shelter and that releases animals on a voluntary basis.

(c) Unit of local government defined

In this section, the term “unit of local government” means a county, municipality, town, township, village, or other unit of general government below the State level.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

3. Report on effectiveness of microchipping program

(1) assesses the effectiveness of the program established under section 28A of the Animal Welfare Act, as added by section 2;

(2) contains the Secretary’s recommendation on whether to extend such program for an additional 5-fiscal-year period; and

(3) the amount of funding necessary to effectively extend such program over such period.