The most comprehensive legislation to prevent companion animals from barbaric testing practices
Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-2) today announced the introduction of the Companion Animal Protection Against Cruel Testing (COMPACT) Act, the most comprehensive legislation in history to modernize federally funded biomedical research and end inhumane testing practices on dogs and cats. The legislation was announced at a press conference in Washington with the nation’s leading animal wellness organizations and rescue beagles released from Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin, which drew national attention and closure following revelations of widespread abuse.
The COMPACT Act prohibits the use of federal public-health research funds for biomedical research involving live dogs and cats while protecting animals currently in research facilities and preserving flexibility for genuine national emergencies. The legislation, developed with input from the medical and bioscience community, comes as advances in biomedical science have created alternatives to traditional animal testing, including in vitro systems, computational modeling and other non-animal technologies.
“The horrific abuse and barbaric treatment of beagles uncovered inside research facilities like Ridglan Farms and Marshall Bioresources has outraged Americans from every corner of the country and political spectrum,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “Dogs and cats are companion animals and part of the family for millions of Americans; they should never have to endure inhumane suffering, particularly at expense to taxpayers and when science has evolved to develop more effective research methods. This is the most comprehensive legislation to date that moves our federal research system forward to better outcomes, while protecting innocent animals. I’m proud to work with my colleague, Congressman Pocan, on this thoughtful, bipartisan legislation.”
“What happened at Ridglan Farms was a wake-up call for our community and for the country,” said Congressman Mark Pocan. “We saw thousands of beagles confined in inhumane conditions and bred for research, and we saw what was possible when people came together to demand change. This is a nonpartisan issue, and I am glad to work with Congressman Langworthy to build on that progress with the COMPACT Act. For years, our federal research agencies have worked on reducing animal testing and turning to more humane and effective alternatives, and this legislation takes the important next step in modernizing our federally funded research and protecting animals.”
The COMPACT Act would:
- Prohibit the use of federal funds administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and relevant subagencies for research involving live dogs and cats, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, fellowships, training awards and other federal funding mechanisms.
- Protect and rehome animals currently being used for biomedical testing, giving them an opportunity for life outside research facilities.
- Establish strong compliance and oversight mechanisms and provide law enforcement with tools to protect dogs and cats from taxpayer-funded experimentation.
- Increase transparency and accountability at HHS through an annual agency report and a Government Accountability Office review three years after enactment.
- Provide clear standards and transition provisions for research institutions, giving facilities certainty as they move toward modern, non-animal research methods.
The legislation is endorsed by the nation’s leading animal rights and wellness advocacy groups, including the Animal Wellness Action, White Coat Waste Project, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Humane World for Animals, Humane World Action Fund, Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Beagle Freedom Project, PETA, and Save the Dogs.
“We are past due to close out the long, painful era of government-funded invasive testing on beagles and on cats,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.“In a world of predictive AI, organoids, and so many other biomedical innovations, American taxpayers need not subsidize ineffective experiments on animals widely recognized as beloved members of our families. We thank Congressman Langworthy and Pocan for leading an effort to usher in cruelty-free medicines and animal-free science.”
“This is a common-sense Act long overdue in recognizing that dogs and cats deserve protection. The federal government should not be funding experimentation on them when they belong in homes. Beagle Freedom Project stands at the ready to place these animals in loving homes,” said Shannon Keith, president and founder.
“The COMPACT Act is a long-overdue step toward ending the use of dogs and cats in animal research” said Blair Eagleson, Legislative Affairs Fellow at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “By ensuring that the Department of Health and Human Services will not fund these practices, we are protecting our companion animals and encouraging biomedical research to prioritize humane methods. The Animal Legal Defense Fund thanks Congressman Langworthy for championing this cause to protect future dogs and cats from being used for research and offering a pathway to find loving homes for those who are currently suffering in labs.”
“Dogs and cats belong in homes, not laboratories, and taxpayer dollars should support research that better translates to human health. The COMPACT Act will help direct federal agencies toward research that benefits people and spares animals. The Physicians Committee commends Rep. Langworthy and Rep. Pocan for recognizing that protecting animals and improving science go hand in hand,” said Janine McCarthy, director of research policy at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Wayne Hsiung of Save the Dogs said, “Americans have been paying $40 million a year to fund cruel experiments on dogs and most have no idea. The COMPACT Act finally puts taxpayers back in control of their own money, and ends a program the science stopped justifying long ago. We’re grateful to Rep Langworthy for leading this fight.”
“Americans should not be forced to pay for painful, deadly experiments on dogs and cats when modern, reliable, human-relevant research methods are available,” said Kathy Guillermo, PETA Senior Vice President. “The bipartisan COMPACT Act will help move federally funded research into the 21st century while protecting dogs and cats from suffering in laboratories. PETA applauds Representatives Langworthy and Pocan for their leadership and urges Congress to swiftly pass this commonsense legislation.”
