Vets and Pets Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10863 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10863

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary awards grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in providing dogs and cats as pets for eligible veterans, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 22, 2026

Mr. Correa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

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A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary awards grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in providing dogs and cats as pets for eligible veterans, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Vets and Pets Act''.

SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM TO AWARD GRANTS FOR THE PROVISION OF DOGS AND CATS AS PETS FOR VETERANS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary awards grants, on a competitive basis, to nonprofit organizations to provide dogs or cats, or both, as pets for veterans. (b) Use of Funds.--The recipient of a grant under this section shall use the grant to provide dogs or cats, or both, as pets to veterans. In providing such a pet to a veteran, the organization shall also-- (1) provide initial supplies for the pet, including a collar, leash, bedding, food for not less than one month, and any other initial supplies that the Secretary considers appropriate; (2) cover the costs of spaying or neutering the pet; and (3) cover the costs of all initial medications and vaccinations for the pet and any additional medications or vaccinations for any additional periods as the Secretary considers appropriate. (c) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a nonprofit organization shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require. (d) Eligible Organizations.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a nonprofit organization must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the organization-- (1) is committed to the humane treatment of pets; and (2) has an effective working relationship with one or more veteran service organizations. (e) Termination.--The authority to provide a grant under this section shall terminate at the end of fiscal year 2028. (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $1,000,000 for the period consisting of fiscal years 2027 through 2028. (g) Report.--After the end of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate a report on the pilot program. The report shall include such findings and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate. <all>