Pet Night on Capitol Hill Brings Congress Together in Celebration of America's Pets
Annual Gathering Features Therapy Animals, Service Animals, and the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill yesterday, bringing together Members of Congress, congressional staff and leaders in the pet care community in support of pets and service 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 well-being for all," said Vic Mason, President of the World Pet Association (WPA).
"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 well-being 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).
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.
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its 17th year, recognizing the most adorable animals belonging to Members of Congress and their staff.
Cutest Dog: Bear
Owner: Tory Scordato
Office: Senator Chris Murphy (CT)
Cutest Cat: Scosh
Owner: Sana Ajeena
Office: Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5)
Cutest Exotic: Chickpea (rabbit)
Owner: Ananda Bhatia
Office: House Chief Administrative Officer
"I'm thrilled to join AHI for this event to bring together members and staff from both parties to celebrate our beloved pets," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-8). "Keeping our pets and animals healthy is our responsibility, and it has been an honor to lead bipartisan legislation, like ADUFA, to bring innovative veterinary medications to market."
"Thank you to the Animal Health Institute for asking me to judge the 17th annual Cutest Pets Contest, one of Capitol Hill's greatest traditions," said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-7). "I am glad to be a part of this fun tradition that also raises awareness of the work being done by the companies that develop veterinary products used by farmers, ranchers and pet owners to keep their animals healthy."
"The Animal Health Institute's Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest is always a highly anticipated event with participation across Congress - a representation of how important pets are to our nation's lawmakers and their hardworking staff," said Martha Scott Poindexter, President and CEO of AHI. "The animal health industry makes the products that not only keep pets healthy, but also keep families healthy, and we're proud to celebrate this each year at Pet Night on Capitol Hill."
"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," said Dana Brooks, President & CEO of PFI.
Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24) urged support for the People and Animals Well-being (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 our nation's veterans.
"Pets are family for millions of Americans, and service animals play an especially important role in the lives of our veterans. 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," said Congresswoman Tenney.
"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," said Pet Advocacy Network CEO Sandy Moore.
Pet Night is part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual briefings and in-person visits. Virtual briefings share key data about how pets are important for human health and quality of life and highlight the most pressing issues relating to pet ownership in America. All recorded sessions from Pet Week on Capitol Hill are now available to view on-demand at www.petnight.com, where people can also sign up to be invited to Pet Night on Capitol Hill 2026.
"HABRI is honored to convene the entire pet care community to join with Congress in honoring America's pets and all who love them," said HABRI President Steven Feldman.
Pet Night on Capitol Hill is an annual event sponsored by leading pet care and animal health companies and organizations that comprise the pet care community. For more information, please visit www.petnight.com. Images available upon request.
About HABRI
HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative scientific research to document the health benefits of companion animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.
About the Pet Food Institute
Established in 1958, Pet Food Institute (PFI) is the trade association and the voice of U.S. cat and dog food manufacturers. Our members account for the vast majority of the dog and cat food made in the United States, with more than $60 billion in domestic annual dog and cat food sales and annual exports of more than $2.4 billion. PFI membership also includes companies that supply ingredients, equipment and services to dog and cat food makers.
About Pet Advocacy Network
The Pet Advocacy Network, formerly known as the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers' representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.
About the Animal Health Institute
The Animal Health Institute (AHI) represents the companies that develop and produce animal medicines. Our industry is a global leader whose products improve the health of nearly 10 billion companion and food-producing animals in the U.S., which results in significant economic and social benefits for Americans.
About American Pet Products Association (APPA)
Founded in 1958, the American Pet Products Association (APPA) is a membership organization for the pet industry focused on business, relationships and innovation through services and programs designed to help its members prosper. APPA's mission is to build a connected and informed community with a genuine passion for all things pet. As the leading pet trade association, APPA advances and unites the pet industry through key initiatives that gather, inform and connect APPA members, industry leaders and the pet community to advance innovation and enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them. Through the APPA Gives Back program, APPA is proud to support organizations that benefit humans and pets: the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Joybound People & Pets, the Pet Giving Network, the Pet Advocacy Network and Pets in the Classroom. Visit AmericanPetProducts.org for more information, and follow APPA on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
About World Pet Association (WPA)
Founded in 1950, World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry's oldest nonprofit organization. WPA connects and informs pet professionals through industry-defining trade shows SUPERZOO and GROOM'D (formerly Atlanta Pet Fair and Conference). Through WPA's Good Works program, proceeds from these events are funneled back into key industry organizations and nonprofits, including World Alliance of Grooming Associations, National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), USARK FL, USARK, HABRI, Pet Advocacy Network, Pet Sustainability Coalition, BEAK, Pet Care Trust/Pets in the Classroom, Project Piaba, USAQUA-USAVIA, with the goal of making it easier for pet industry professionals to do business. WPA's mission is to support the business needs of pet retailers and to promote responsible growth and development of the pet industry by providing thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues; leading efforts in the public sector to inform consumers and ensure safe, healthy lifestyles for all animals; and providing business resources, education, content and services to ensure pet product retailers have the support they need to be competitive. For more information about WPA, visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
Media Contact:
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SOURCE Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
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