Congress Just Honored the Politicians Who Fight for Dogs and Cats — Here's Who Won
I remember the first time I saw a politician hold a press conference about puppy mills. I was cynical—another photo op, I thought. But then the bills started passing. Then the funding increased. And I realized that some of these lawmakers actually care. This year, Congress made it official.
Congress has officially recognized the legislators who champion animal welfare through the 2026 Humane Scorecard and Legislative Awards, honoring politicians who fought for stronger pet protection laws, increased funding for shelter programs, and stricter penalties for animal cruelty . The awards, organized by the Humane Society Legislative Fund and other animal welfare organizations, highlight the bipartisan work that often goes unnoticed by the general public.
If you've ever wondered which politicians actually fight for dogs and cats—and which ones just talk—this year's honorees provide a clear answer. Let's meet the winners and understand why they were chosen.
Which politicians received animal welfare awards from Congress?
This year's honorees span both parties and both chambers of Congress. The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) recognized several top champions, including Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC).
| Politician | Party | Key Achievement |
| Sen. Cory Booker | Democrat | Lead sponsor of the Puppy Protection Act |
| Rep. Nancy Mace | Republican | Expansion of the PETS Act for disaster planning |
| Sen. Susan Collins | Republican | Funding for USDA animal welfare enforcement |
| Rep. Adam Schiff | Democrat | The Healthy Dog Importation Act |
While these awards celebrate political victories, the true winners are the pets in our homes. Whether it’s through new laws or everyday care, keeping our pets healthy is a top priority. For instance, maintaining your Kitten or Puppy’s Dental Health is one of the most effective ways to ensure they live a long, happy life.
The 2026 Humane Society Legislative Fund awards recognized Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) as the top animal welfare champions in Congress . Additional honorees included Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) for their work on specific pet protection bills.
Let's look at the winners and their key achievements:
| Politician | Party | Key Animal Welfare Work |
|---|---|---|
| Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) | Democrat | Puppy Protection Act, ban on horse slaughter transport |
| Rep. Nancy Mace (SC) | Republican | PETS Act expansion, disaster planning for animals |
| Sen. Susan Collins (ME) | Republican | USDA animal welfare enforcement funding |
| Rep. Adam Schiff (CA) | Democrat | Healthy Dog Importation Act, anti-cruelty legislation |
| Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) | Republican | Veterinary medicine loan repayment, shelter medicine training |
| Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) | Democrat | Fighting animal fighting rings, increasing penalties |
The Humane Scorecard:
The Humane Society Legislative Fund publishes an annual Humane Scorecard rating every member of Congress on animal welfare votes. The 2026 honorees are those who achieved perfect or near-perfect scores and sponsored key legislation.
| Score | Number of Legislators | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 47 | Humane Champion |
| 90-99% | 68 | Humane Advocate |
| Below 50% | 112 | Needs Improvement |
Why did Congress honor these specific pet advocates this year?
The 2026 awards reflect a year of significant legislative progress for animal welfare.
These politicians were honored because they moved beyond rhetoric to pass landmark legislation. In the 119th Congress, the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus grew to over 150 members.
One of the most significant wins was the Healthy Dog Importation Act, which ensures that dogs entering the U.S. are healthy and microchipped. This is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases that can lead to chronic issues like Dog Dry Skin and Irritation, which often spike when imported dogs bring in unfamiliar parasites.
Let's look at the key bills that shaped the 2026 awards:
| Bill | Lead Sponsors | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy Protection Act | Booker, Mace | Federal standards for commercial dog breeders |
| Healthy Dog Importation Act | Schiff, Collins | Uniform health requirements for imported dogs |
| PETS Act expansion | Mace, Blumenthal | Requires disaster plans for pets in all states |
| Veterinary Loan Repayment expansion | Fitzpatrick, Collins | More vets in underserved areas |
| Animal Crucial Enforcement Act | Booker, Fitzpatrick | Increased penalties for animal fighting |
The bipartisan breakthrough:
| Element | Significance |
|---|---|
| Booker and Mace together | Unlikely duo; proves animal welfare crosses party lines |
| Collins and Schiff together | Maine and California—geographic diversity |
| Unanimous passage of PETS Act expansion | No opposition in either chamber |
Why 2026 was a breakout year:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Public pressure | Constituent calls on animal welfare increased |
| Shelter crisis | Media coverage of overflowing shelters moved legislators |
| Bipartisan animal caucus | Grew to over 150 members |
| Election year | Some members sought positive, non-controversial wins |
How were the winning politicians chosen for their work?
The selection process is rigorous and data-driven.
The legislative achievements of 2026 will protect pets for decades. Here are the three most impactful bills:
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Puppy Protection Act: Sets federal standards for commercial breeders, ensuring adequate space, socialization, and veterinary care.
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PETS Act Expansion: Requires every state to have a pet-specific evacuation plan for natural disasters.
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Veterinary Loan Repayment Expansion: Incentivizes veterinarians to work in underserved rural areas and animal shelters.
The PETS Act expansion is particularly vital because displacement during a disaster is a leading cause of behavioral trauma. If your pet has experienced a stressful move or emergency, you might notice them engaging in obsessive behaviors. Learn more about managing this in our Guide to Cat Over-grooming and Anxiety.
Winning politicians were chosen based on their voting records on animal welfare legislation, sponsorship of key bills, and leadership on animal protection issues . The Humane Society Legislative Fund, in consultation with other animal welfare organizations, evaluated every vote, every bill introduced, and every committee action related to animals.
Let's examine the criteria:
| Criteria | Weight | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Voting record | 40% | Votes on animal welfare amendments, bills |
| Bill sponsorship | 30% | Introducing or co-sponsoring key legislation |
| Leadership actions | 20% | Committee work, floor speeches, advocacy |
| Constituent engagement | 10% | Town halls, responses to animal welfare concerns |
The scoring process:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify relevant votes | All floor votes affecting animals |
| 2. Score each member | Points for pro-animal votes |
| 3. Calculate percentage | Pro-animal votes ÷ total relevant votes |
| 4. Adjust for sponsorship | Bonus points for introducing key bills |
| 5. Final determination | Top scorers receive awards |
What the winners had in common:
| Common Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Perfect or near-perfect voting record | Consistent support, not occasional |
| Leadership on multiple bills | Not just voting—driving change |
| Bipartisan collaboration | Worked across aisle to pass legislation |
| Constituent responsiveness | Engaged with animal welfare advocates |
What animal protection laws did the honorees help pass?
The legislative achievements of this year's honorees will affect pets and pet owners for decades.
The honorees helped pass the Puppy Protection Act (federal standards for commercial breeders), the Healthy Dog Importation Act (health requirements for imported dogs), the PETS Act expansion (disaster planning for pets), and increased funding for veterinary loan repayment and shelter medicine training . These laws address everything from puppy mills to pet evacuation during hurricanes.
Let's break down each major law:
1. Puppy Protection Act (Booker, Mace)
| Provision | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Limits on breeding frequency | No more than 2 litters in 18 months |
| Space requirements | Minimum space based on dog size |
| Exercise requirements | Daily opportunity for exercise |
| Veterinary care mandates | Regular exams, vaccinations |
2. Healthy Dog Importation Act (Schiff, Collins)
| Provision | What It Does |
|---|---|
| 28-day rabies waiting period | Vaccine must be given at least 28 days before entry |
| Microchipping requirement | All imported dogs must be microchipped |
| Health certificate | Within 10 days of travel |
| Enforcement authority | USDA/CBP can deny entry |
3. PETS Act Expansion (Mace, Blumenthal)
| Provision | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Disaster plans for pets | All states must have pet evacuation plans |
| Shelter funding | Federal funds for pet-friendly shelters |
| Training requirements | Emergency responders trained on animal handling |
4. Veterinary Loan Repayment Expansion (Fitzpatrick, Collins)
| Provision | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Increased funding | More veterinarians in underserved areas |
| Shelter medicine track | Loan repayment for shelter veterinarians |
| Rural practice incentives | Bonus for rural service |
Practical advice for pet owners who want to support animal welfare legislation
You don't have to be a politician to make a difference. Advocacy starts with the consumer. Legislative changes often impact the market, and staying aware of how laws affect prices is key to budgeting for your pet. Our 2026 Pet Product Tariff Report breaks down how shifting trade laws are currently affecting the cost of your favorite food and supplies.
How to Take Action Today:
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Check the Scorecard: Visit the Humane Society’s official 2026 Scorecard to see how your local representatives voted.
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Call Your Representative: A one-minute phone call expressing support for animal welfare bills has a massive impact on a legislator's priorities.
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Vote Pro-Animal: Research candidates' stances on animal welfare before heading to the polls in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
You can support animal welfare legislation by: contacting your representatives, voting for pro-animal candidates, sharing information about pending bills, supporting animal welfare organizations, and staying informed about upcoming votes .
Here's your action guide:
| Action | How to Do It | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Contact your representatives | Call, email, or visit district office | Tells them animal welfare matters to voters |
| Vote pro-animal | Research candidates' animal welfare records | Elects champions |
| Share bill information | Social media, community groups | Builds public pressure |
| Donate to advocacy groups | HSLF, ASPCA, local shelters | Funds lobbying efforts |
| Attend town halls | Ask about animal welfare | Shows constituent priority |
The "one-minute call" script:
| Element | What to Say |
|---|---|
| Introduction | "Hi, I'm [name], a constituent from [city]." |
| Issue | "I'm calling to ask Representative [name] to support [bill name]." |
| Personal connection | "As a pet owner, this matters to me." |
| Closing | "Please let me know their position. Thank you." |
Key dates to watch:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Ongoing | Check Humane Scorecard for updates |
| Election season | Candidate forums, questionnaires |
| When bills are introduced | Contact representatives immediately |
Conclusion
Congress honored Senator Cory Booker, Representative Nancy Mace, Senator Susan Collins, Representative Adam Schiff, and others for their bipartisan leadership on animal welfare . These politicians were chosen based on their voting records, bill sponsorship, and legislative achievements in passing the Puppy Protection Act, Healthy Dog Importation Act, PETS Act expansion, and veterinary loan repayment expansion . For pet owners, these laws mean stronger protections for dogs and cats, safer imports, better disaster planning, and more veterinarians in underserved areas . You can support future progress by contacting your representatives, voting pro-animal, and staying informed . The politicians who fight for dogs and cats are out there—and now you know their names.