SPARE Act

This bill would end the use of animals in research and testing paid for with federal funds. It applies to federal departments and agencies, as well as contractors and grantees that receive federal research money. The ban rolls out in stages: 18 months for cosmetics, toxicity, and basic psychology/behavior tests, and 3 years for biomedical experiments and drug testing. There are narrow exceptions, such as clinical veterinary studies and activities involving military or service animals. Congress may also allow short‑term use only for infectious disease or national security, but only if no alternative exists and animals are used sparingly.

The bill helps labs switch to non‑animal methods by offering training and competitive grants, and by supporting the validation of these newer approaches. Research facilities that used animals must, within one year, set up a program to release healthy animals to rescues, accredited sanctuaries, licensed shelters, or eligible individuals, consult experts, and report releases; USDA and NIH must post a public database of released animals within 20 months. Violations can bring civil fines up to $250,000 and possible loss of federal research funding.

• Who is affected: Federal agencies, researchers and labs funded by the government, and animal rescues/sanctuaries.
• What changes: Federal money can’t be used for animal research/testing (with limited exceptions); required rehoming of animals; a public database of released animals; grants and training to move to non‑animal methods; penalties for violations .
• When: 18 months for cosmetics/toxicity/basic psychology/behavior tests; 3 years for biomedical/drug testing; rehoming program within 1 year; public database within 20 months .