The K-9 Hero Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to help nonprofit organizations pay for veterinary care expenses of retired working dogs from federal agencies. The Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security will jointly administer the program, awarding grants of up to one million dollars per year to eligible nonprofits that care for or provide financial assistance to owners of these retired dogs. According to the bill, approximately 5,100 federal working dogs serve across 40 federal programs, with average annual care costs of around $1,182 per dog, though specialty medical expenses like surgeries and treatments often exceed this amount. The program will operate from 2027 through 2031, with five million dollars authorized in funding each year, and grant recipients must submit annual reports on how funds are used and track health outcomes over five years. The Secretaries will also report to Congress annually on the program's implementation, including the number of retired dogs supported and average expenses per dog.
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