Pet Night on Capitol Hill unites congress, pet care associations

WASHINGTON — The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Pet Food Institute (PFI) and Pet Advocacy Network (PAN) co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16, bringing together members of Congress, congressional staff and leaders in the pet care community in support of companion animals as an important part of American life.

“Pet Night on Capitol Hill has become a beloved tradition in Washington — while it’s immensely fun, it’s also a serious time to deliver the message that pets promote better health and wellbeing for all,” said Vic Mason, president of the World Pet Association (WPA).

Dana Brooks, president and chief executive officer of PFI, added, “From ensuring access to nutritious food to supporting pet-inclusive housing and greater access to service dogs for our nation’s veterans, pet-friendly policies help pets thrive alongside the people who love them. Pet Night provides a meaningful forum to showcase why advancing pet-friendly legislation matters for families across America.”

This year’s event highlighted the programs and initiatives of the pet care community that expand access to healthy pets and preserve and strengthen the human-animal bond in society. At the event, attendees interacted with Pet Partners therapy animals, veterans and their devoted service animals, and adoptable puppies and kittens from Petco Love.

“We are proud to be a part of Pet Night on Capitol Hill, a night dedicated to honoring the human-animal bond and its positive impact on the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, including our nation’s veterans who rely on the healing support of service dogs,” said Peter Scott, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

During the event, Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) urged support for the People and Animals Wellbeing (PAW) Act, a bill that would allow people to use up to $1,000 of their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for veterinary care or a pet health insurance policy for their pets. The bill would impose no limit on veterinary care for service animals, providing even more support for people with disabilities, including veterans.

“Pets are family for millions of Americans, and service animals play an especially important role in the lives of our veterans,” Tenney explained. “Too often, the cost of veterinary care puts a strain on families and individuals who are already sacrificing so much. The PAW Act expands HSAs and FSAs to cover these expenses, giving pet owners the ability to care for their pets and service animals without added financial stress.”

Sandy Moore, CEO of PAN, added, “Every year, Pet Advocacy Network hosts a Congressional fly-in in conjunction with Pet Night on Capitol Hill, where leaders from the pet care community come together and meet with members of Congress and Congressional staff to talk about the importance of pets and pet-friendly policies. It’s clear from the conversations that pet issues are bipartisan, and that everyone has a positive story to tell of how the human-animal bond has touched their life. Pet Night is a celebration of this phenomenon, and we were thrilled to once again co-host this important event.”

Read more news from associations and agencies in the pet food sector.