This week’s Take Action
Thursday urges support for bills that
would require laboratories to make cats and dogs no longer used in research available
for adoption.
State Legislation
According to the USDA’s
2015 annual report, 61,101 dogs and 19,932 cats were used in research
last year. Many of these animals are still healthy and suitable for adoption
into a loving family. However, these animals are too often treated as
disposable commodities and euthanized when the research has ended.
Four states—California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Nevada—have
enacted laws requiring institutions of higher education that receive public
funding to adopt out cats and dogs no longer used for educational, research or
scientific purposes.
While most state legislatures are no longer in session, three
states are considering similar legislation:
New York: S
98A is awaiting the signature of Governor Andrew Cuomo.
If you live in New York, please call the
Governor at 518-474-8390 and ask him to sign this bill into law.
Illinois: SB
2356, SB
3431 and HB
6580 would require research facilities that receive public funds to
submit an annual report on the number of dogs and cats they use, the rationale
for using them, and the disposition of the animals after the research is
concluded.
If you live in
Illinois, please contact your state Senator and Representative and ask them to SUPPORT
this legislation.
TAKE ACTION »
New Jersey: S 1479 would
require an institution of higher education, or a facility that conducts
research in collaboration with an institution of higher education, to first
offer cats or dogs to an animal rescue organization for adoption before
euthanizing them when they are no longer needed for education, research or
scientific purposes.
If you live in
New Jersey, please contact your state Senator ask them to SUPPORT this
bill.
TAKE ACTION »
If you live in a state that does not currently have
a law or legislation addressing this issue, please contact your state legislators
and ask them to sponsor a new
bill for the protection of cats and dogs in research.
Want to do more? Visit the NAVS Advocacy
Center to TAKE ACTION on behalf of animals in your state
and around the country.
For the latest information regarding animals
and the law, visit NAVS’ Animal Law Resource Center.
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