H.R. 2976

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 21, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. McCollum · Committee: Committee on Agriculture

Table of contents

• H.R. 2976
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Including reptiles and fish as animals under Animal Welfare Act

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act.

SEC. 2. Including reptiles and fish as animals under Animal Welfare Act

• Section 2(g) of the Animal Welfare Act () is amended to read as follows: 7 U.S.C. 2132(g)
  • (g)
    • The term animal means any live or dead warm-blooded animal (including a dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or bird), cold-blooded animal (including a reptile, amphibian, cephalopod, or fish), or such other animal as the Secretary may determine is being used, or is intended for use, for research, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet.
    • Such term excludes—
      • birds, rats of the genus Rattus, and mice of the genus Mus, bred for use in research;
      • horses not used for research purposes; and
      • other farmed animals, such as—
        • (i) livestock, poultry, or fish used or intended for use as food or fiber; or
        • (ii) livestock, poultry, or fish used or intended for use for improving animal nutrition, breeding, management, or production efficiency, or for improving the quality of food or fiber.
    • With respect to a dog, such term means all dogs, including those used for hunting, security, or breeding purposes.