Pass the Research Animal Adoption Bill: Give Former “Research” Dogs and Cats Forever Homes
There are 65,000 dogs (96% are beagles) and 20,000 cats suffering in U.S. laboratories right now. They are used to test cosmetics, drugs, products, and curiosities. If they survive these invasive and painful tests the standard lab policy is to summarily kill them, because the labs are not kennels or adoption organizations.
After all these animals endure, don't they at least deserve a chance at a peaceful life? Every other aspect of their laboratory time is covered by state or federal policy, but there are no guidelines on what happens when the research ends.
The Research Animal Adoption Bill (AB 147) has been introduced in the California State Legislature to address to this very issue. The law will ensure that tax-payer funded laboratories in California must at least offer up these dogs and cats for public adoption through rescue organizations. The lab need only contact the rescue groups who will assume liability, transport, veterinary care, and home placements.
Beagle Freedom Project has demonstrated that this can be done and has rescued over 400 laboratory animals, mostly dogs and cats. All are thriving in their new homes! With your help and this legislation more can be saved until the business of animal-testing is no more!
Dear [Representative],
I am a concerned constituent in your district and am in favor of
AB: 147, the Research Animal Adoption Bill. I firmly believe that when possible these research dogs and cats should get a chance at a normal life after what they endure in tests for our drugs, products, and curiosities.
AB: 147 facilitates a relationship between tax-payer assisted California research laboratories and registered non-profit rescue organizations so that when an experiment ends, and that animal is no longer needed, we give this animal a chance a life after the lab with a California family.
Currently there are no federal or state laws that cover the post-research treatment of these animals. Last year Minnesota became the first state to pass this legislation and it has been successfully implemented.
[Your comment will be added here]
I ask that you support
AB: 147 when it comes before you. It embodies compassion and common sense. These animals are no different than our own family companion animals and as a tax-payer who funds much of this research I would like to see them properly cared for. This law would proudly set a new gold standard for research ethics.
Please vote for the Research Animal Adoption Bill. Lives are literally depending on it.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
