AFTER Act of 2026

The AFTER Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to retire research animals to nonprofit rescue organizations, sanctuaries, or shelters rather than euthanizing them when they are no longer needed for studies. The bill defines specific categories for these receiving facilities and excludes rats and mice from the retirement requirements. Federal facilities must create regulations within 90 days of enactment to facilitate adoption and placement of retired animals, including consideration of locations beyond their immediate geographic area. The legislation also ensures that state or local laws with stricter animal welfare standards remain in effect and allows chimpanzees used in research to be placed in existing sanctuary systems.