# What the Federal Animal Research Accountability Act of 2025 Actually Does

This bill requires research institutions that receive federal funding for animal studies to report detailed information about how many animals they use and what happens to those animals. Right now, the National Institutes of Health collects some animal use data, but this bill wants to make that reporting much more specific and transparent so the public can actually see what's happening in federally-funded labs.

Here's what would change: Any research facility getting NIH money would have to file an annual report breaking down their animal use into four categories. They'd report how many animals experienced no pain or distress (like those used only for routine procedures such as blood draws), how many experienced pain or distress but received pain medication, how many experienced pain or distress where pain medication would have interfered with the research itself, and how many animals were bred or housed but not yet used. The reports would include the specific species names and exact numbers for each category. This information would then be posted online in a searchable database that anyone can access within three months of submission.

The practical effect is that animal welfare advocates, journalists, and concerned citizens would be able to look up exactly what's happening with animals at research institutions in their area or nationwide. Researchers and institutions would need to develop better tracking systems to collect this data accurately. The bill doesn't ban any research or change what scientists can do—it just requires them to be transparent about it. The new reporting requirements don't kick in until two years after the law passes, giving institutions time to set up their data collection systems.