HELP PETS Act

# HELP PETS Act Summary **What the bill would do:** The HELP PETS Act would prevent colleges and universities from receiving federal funding if they conduct or fund research that causes pain to dogs or cats. The bill defines "painful research" using existing Department of Agriculture pain classification standards. This is a financial penalty designed to discourage painful animal testing at higher education institutions. **Who it affects:** The primary targets are colleges, universities, and research institutions that receive federal funding and conduct animal research.

It also affects researchers who work with dogs and cats, students in biomedical training programs, and potentially scientific advancement in fields that rely on such research. The measure does not apply to non-federal funding sources. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress) and has not yet been voted on by the full House. The bill's passage would require Congressional approval and the President's signature to become law.