What if your tax dollars were being used to fund experiments on dogs and cats? The C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act aims to change that.
At Honey Paws, we believe protecting animals means taking action at every level, from supporting rescue organizations to advocating for stronger laws. This legislation could be an important step toward reducing the use of dogs and cats in biomedical research across the United States.
What Is the C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act?
The Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing (C.O.M.P.A.C.T.) Act is a federal bill introduced in September 2026. Its goal is to prohibit federal public-health research funding from being used for biomedical research involving live dogs and cats.
The proposed legislation covers research supported by agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It would also restrict federal funding for activities that support these experiments, including breeding, purchasing, housing, and maintaining dogs and cats for research. The bill includes limited emergency exceptions when scientifically valid alternatives are unavailable and specific public-health or national-security conditions are met.
Importantly, the legislation also addresses what happens to animals once they are no longer needed for research. Research institutions receiving covered federal funding would have to make reasonable efforts to transfer eligible animals to rescue organizations, sanctuaries, or adoption programs rather than automatically euthanizing them.
In other words, this bill is about more than stopping certain experiments. It also seeks to improve the future of animals who have already spent their lives in research facilities.
Who Introduced the Bill?
The C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 21, 2026, as H.R. 10522.
The bill was introduced by Representative Nick Langworthy, a Republican representing New York, alongside bipartisan co-sponsors, including Representative Mark Pocan, a Democrat representing Wisconsin. Other original co-sponsors include Eleanor Holmes Norton, Randy Fine, Mike Quigley, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Veronica Escobar, and Dina Titus.
The bipartisan support is significant because animal protection legislation can bring together lawmakers with different political backgrounds around a shared concern for animal welfare and responsible use of public funds.
You can read the official bill text on Congress.gov to learn more about its proposed requirements.
How Could It Change the Future of American Science?
For decades, animal testing has played a major role in drug development. But how well does it actually predict what will happen in humans?
According to the FDA, more than 90% of drugs that pass animal studies ultimately fail to receive FDA approval, often because problems with safety or effectiveness emerge during human trials. This doesn’t mean animal testing has no scientific value, but it highlights a major limitation: results in animals don’t always translate to humans.
Fortunately, science is advancing. Researchers now have access to innovative alternatives, including human cell-based testing, organ-on-a-chip technology, and computer modeling. These approaches can help scientists study how treatments affect human biology without relying solely on animal experiments.
The C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act could help accelerate this transition by restricting federal funding for covered biomedical research involving live dogs and cats. By encouraging investment in modern research methods, the legislation could help move American science toward approaches that are more relevant to human health while reducing the number of animals subjected to experiments.
For dogs and cats, this could mean fewer animals bred, purchased, and used in federally funded research. It could also help more animals leaving research facilities find their way into rescue and adoption programs.
Scientific progress shouldn’t have to come at the expense of animal welfare. By investing in modern research methods, we have an opportunity to advance science while building a more humane future.
Will the C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act Pass?
The bill has been introduced, but it has not yet become law.
As of October 2026, H.R. 10522 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It must advance through the legislative process before it can take effect, including consideration by the House and Senate and, ultimately, presidential action.
So, how likely is it to pass? It is too early to give a reliable probability. The bill has bipartisan co-sponsors and support from animal welfare organizations, but those factors alone do not guarantee a committee vote or passage. Its progress will depend on congressional priorities, committee action, additional support, and the legislative process in both chambers.
That uncertainty is exactly why public engagement matters. Contacting representatives can help lawmakers understand that their constituents care about the treatment of animals and how taxpayer money is spent.
How Honey Paws Is Helping
At Honey Paws, we are working to bring animal welfare concerns into conversations with government officials and the public. Through legislative outreach, social media campaigns, and educational resources, we want more people to understand what is at stake and how they can participate in creating change.
The C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act is one part of a broader effort to move away from harmful animal testing and toward a future that prioritizes humane, scientifically appropriate alternatives.
Here’s how you can help:
- Contact your federal representatives. Ask whether they support H.R. 10522, the C.O.M.P.A.C.T. Act, and what steps they will take to advance it.
- Spread the word. Share information about the bill with friends, family, and your community.
- Stay informed. Sign up for the Honey Paws newsletter to receive updates on animal protection legislation and learn about future opportunities to take action.
Every law begins with people willing to speak up. By making our voices heard, we can help push for a future where scientific progress and animal welfare move forward together.
At Honey Paws, we’re committed to advocating for that future, and we hope you’ll join us.
