AFTER Act of 2026

This legislation aims to update the Animal Welfare Act by establishing a formal process for the retirement of animals that have been used in federal research. If enacted, the bill would encourage or require federal agencies to facilitate the adoption or transfer of these animals to sanctuaries and private homes once their participation in research studies has concluded, rather than routinely euthanizing them.

The proposal focuses on providing a second life for animals such as dogs, cats, and primates that are no longer needed for scientific testing. By creating a legal framework for retirement, the bill seeks to standardize how various government departments handle lab animals, potentially increasing the number of successful placements with animal welfare organizations and qualified individuals.

For the average citizen, this bill would likely result in more opportunities to adopt former research animals and could lead to increased transparency regarding the lifecycle of animals used in taxpayer-funded studies. Because this is standard legislation, it would require approval from both the House and Senate and the President's signature to become law.