H.R. 10863House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Vets and Pets Act

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.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated October 23, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

The Vets and Pets Act would let the Department of Veterans Affairs run a two‑year pilot program that gives competitive grants to nonprofit groups to provide dogs and/or cats to eligible veterans. The grants would cover the pet itself, initial supplies, spaying/neutering and medical care. Up to $1 million would be funded for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, and the program would end after that period with a report to Congress.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to supply dogs or cats as pets for veterans.
Grant recipients must provide the pet, a collar, leash, bedding, at least one month of food, and any other initial supplies the Secretary deems appropriate.
Grantees must also pay for spaying/neutering and all initial vaccinations and medications, plus any follow‑up care the Secretary approves.
Nonprofits must show a commitment to humane animal treatment and have a working relationship with one or more veteran service organizations to qualify.
The program is funded with up to $1 million for FY 2027‑2028 and ends at the close of FY 2028.
After the pilot, the Secretary must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 22, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 22, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 22, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode

Raw Text PDF XML

Introduced in HouseIssued October 22, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10863

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 22, 2026

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

A BILL

Short title

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

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.