Pet Night Brings the Power of Pets to Capitol Hill | Press Room | HABRI

Pet Night Brings the Power of Pets to Capitol Hill

First In-Person Event Since 2019 Features Therapy Animals, Celebrity Pets, and the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill

The Pet Effect
Did you know pets can help people with depression?

Did you know pets can help people with depression?

Learn more about The Pet Effect here.

Featured Partner
American Animal Hospital Association

Washington, D.C. (September 22, 2022) — The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill for the first time since the pandemic began, celebrating the important role pets play in our lives. Pet Night brought together Members of Congress and leaders in the pet care community to share programs, policies, and key data about how the human-animal bond positively impacts our mental, physical and social health.

“The pet care community is thrilled to be back in person to share the power of pets with Congress,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “Pet Night on Capitol Hill shares the message that pets have a measurable impact on our health and well-being, and that there are tangible measures policymakers can take to support pets and their owners.”

Plenty of pets were in attendance, including Pet Partners therapy animal-handler teams; Trumpet the Westminster Best in Show Winner, provided by Purina; and Biscuit, the Washington Capitals service dog in training, provided by Mars Petcare.

“It was exciting to once again meet face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for positive pet policies, then finish the day with a celebration of all that pets bring to our lives,” said Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober. “We are committed today and every day to helping all Americans find and care for their ideal companions and experience the incredible benefits of pet ownership and animal-assisted interactions.”

The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its fourteenth year, recognizing the most adorable animals owned by Members of Congress and their staff.

Cutest Dog: Louis

Owner: Alyssa Gulick

Office of Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6)

 

Cutest Cat: Kit

Owner: Jesse Ferguson

Office of Rep. Mike Flood (NE-1)

 

Cutest Exotic: Charlie (horse)

Owner: Gray Maxwell

Office of Senator Ben Cardin (MD)

“The human-animal bond keeps getting stronger and stronger, which is why we enjoy celebrating this connection with the Cutest Pets Contest,” said Alex Mathews, President and CEO of AHI. “The availability of medicines to keep animals healthy plays an important role in promoting this relationship. The animal health industry is proud to provide the medicines and therapies that enable pets to live healthy lives.”

Pet Night paid special tribute to Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) with the “Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award” to recognize his dedication to animal health and the human-animal bond. Throughout his impressive career, Congressman Schrader, currently the only veterinarian in Congress, was instrumental in developing legislation to safeguard the integrated health of people and companion animals.

“Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve always looked forward to Pet Night and the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill Contest. It’s opportunities like these that effectively spread the word to pet owners, the public and my colleagues about the important benefits pets bring to our lives, and the vital role veterinary medicine plays in safeguarding public health,” said Representative Schrader. “It was also my honor to receive the Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award. I am so proud to have championed the human-animal bond throughout my time in Congress and hope to inspire my colleagues and others to continue to support policies and legislation that advance the health of people and their pets.”

Pet Night is now part of Pet Week on Capitol Hill, a week-long series of virtual programming and in-person visits. Sessions 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 discussions 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 2023.

Pet Night on Capitol Hill is an annual event sponsored by 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 maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and 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 $50 billion in domestic annual dog and cat food sales and annual exports of more than $2 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.

 

###

Contact

Logan Trautman

logan@inspireprgroup.com

412.915.4038

###

More Press Releases

Press Releases
Virtual Lecture Spotlights New Research on the Health and Developmental Benefits of Companion Animals for Young Children

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and IDEXX held a virtual lecture on the impact of pet ownership on young children’s physical activity and development. Today’s lecture marks the third in the IDEXX-sponsored series to highlight impactful scientific research on the health benefits of the human-animal bond and the importance of veterinary medicine in strengthening human-animal bonds. This lecture titled, “The Health and Developmental Benefits of Companion Animals for Young Children”, features Dr. Hayley Christian, BSc, PhD, Principal Research Fellow at the Telethon Kids Institute, National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, and Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, discussing her ongoing HABRI-funded study, “The Health and Developmental Benefits of Companion Animals for Young Children: Advancing the Evidence Base”, including recently published findings which demonstrate that children in dog-owning households experience lower peer problems, lower conduct problems, and higher prosocial behaviors than children from non-dog-owning families. “With HABRI, IDEXX is proud to be delivering this virtual content to pet owners, families with young children, and animal health professionals to help strengthen and promote the human-animal bond,” said Kerry Bennett, Corporate Vice President, IDEXX. Results from Objective 1 of Dr. Christian’s HABRI-funded study were published in the journal Pediatric Research in July 2020. The aim of this objective was to investigate if active play and walking with the family dog facilitates improved developmental outcomes in young children. Results indicate that children of dog-owning families had lower peer problems, lower conduct problems, and higher prosocial behaviors than children from non-dog-owning families. In addition to benefitting from the presence of a dog in the home, even a small to moderate commitment to involving young children in time spent walking with the family dog may provide...
Press Releases
New Survey Shows Cat Owners with Cat Allergen Sensitivities Go to Extraordinary Lengths to Manage Cat Allergens

For the as many as 1 in 5 adults globally who are affected by cat allergen sensitivities, the daily effort to manage cat allergens and coexist with the cats they love can be a struggle. From excessive cleaning around the house to spending less time with the cat, there are no easy choices. Despite these daily struggles, cat owners are willing to do whatever it takes to keep their cats, going as far as ignoring doctor’s orders. If told by their doctor to give up their cat to help manage cat allergens, 84 percent of cat owners would dismiss the advice. Twenty percent even said they would keep the cat and get a new doctor, showing the need for better management methods. These statistics are from a new survey[1] of 2,000 U.S. cat owners from Purina Pro Plan, a leader in pet nutrition, in partnership with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), which sought to understand the impact of cat allergens on cat-owning households. The survey confirmed that the bond that owners share with their cats is strong – a universal truth for all cat owners regardless of cat allergen sensitivities. Ninety percent of cat owners feel their cats are members of the family, and three in four owners say their relationship with their cat is important to and a core part of their health and well-being. But it’s not always easy for those with cat allergen sensitivities; 37 percent say they’ve had to change their lifestyle to accommodate their cat, significantly higher than those without sensitivities (22 percent). In an effort to help, Purina Pro Plan has introduced Pro Plan LiveClear, the first and only cat food that reduces the allergens in cat hair and dander. Backed by more than a decade of research, Pro Plan LiveClear is shown to safely and effectively reduce allergens in cat hair and dander in as little as three weeks of daily feeding. The key ingredient is a specific protein sourced from eggs. When cats eat LiveClear, the protein binds to the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, and...
Press Releases
Federal Grant Applications Now Open: $3MM Now Available to Support Pet-Friendly Domestic Violence Shelters

The PAWS Act Coalition, a group of nonprofit and for-profit organizations committed to protecting survivors of domestic violence and their pets, is thrilled to share the recent announcement of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program. The $3 million appropriated for 2022 represents the fully-authorized amount under the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, a $500,000 increase in funding from 2021. “The increase in funding for this grant program is a direct reflection of the need for more pet-friendly options for domestic violence survivors,” said Nina Leigh Krueger, CEO and President of Nestlé Purina PetCare. “Purina is proud to see and support continued momentum to ensure more survivors and their pets enter safe shelter and begin the healing process together.” “The PAWS Act Coalition looks forward to working with the Department of Justice to raise awareness of the $3 million available to aid survivors of domestic violence and their pets,” said Steven Feldman, President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). “We are proud to help spread to word about the opening of the 2022 grant applications, and to encourage eligible organizations across the country to apply.” FY 2022 grants will provide funding for shelter and transitional housing and other assistance for survivors of domestic violence with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses. Grants awarded may also be used for programs that provide support services designed to enable someone fleeing an abuser to locate and secure housing with their pet, safe accommodations for their pet, or related services such as transportation and other assistance. The OVC can fund five grants of up to a maximum of $400,000 each and 15 grants of up to $100,000 each. The grants will be for a 36-month period of performance, to begin on October 1, 2022. Smaller awards are...
About HABRI
Research
Contact
  • Address
  • Human Animal Bond Research Institute
  • 1310 L St, NW, Suite 860
  • Washington, DC 20005
  • Telephone
  • (202) 728-7616
Platinum Transparency 2024 - Candid.
Healthline's Best Nonprofits 2017 - Animal Therapy
© 2011 – 2025 HABRI
HABRI