H.R. 6716 — SATOS Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings that rural communities often lack adequate animal welfare infrastructure (including shelters and veterinary facilities), certain entities (associations, local governments, nonprofits, and Indian Tribes) play a critical role in animal health and humane treatment, and investments in animal care facilities support public health, safety, and community well-being.

This section establishes a USDA Rural Development program to provide grants or loans to eligible entities (i.e., state, local, or Tribal governments or agencies thereof, or nonprofits) to construct, expand, or renovate domestic animal care facilities (i.e., animal shelters, adoption centers, veterinary care clinics, spay and neuter clinics, animal control operations, or emergency animal shelters) in rural areas (i.e., areas other than cities or towns with populations greater than 50,000 inhabitants or contiguous urbanized areas) or to purchase or install related equipment, furnishings, vehicles, or technology. Domestic animals are defined as non-commercial pets (e.g., dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, or birds). It limits total annual grants to $10 million, with the federal share not exceeding 75% of facility development costs on a graduated scale that provides a greater share (up to the maximum) for facilities in lower-population or lower-income communities; reserves 3-5% of appropriated funds for technical assistance and training grants, with selection priority for entities experienced in such facilities; requires a final rule within 180 days of enactment, program implementation within one year, and biennial reports to the House and Senate agriculture committees beginning two years after enactment describing grants and loans provided, geographic distribution, outcomes, and improvement recommendations.