Bipartisan legislation spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) would require all federal agencies that conduct animal research to adopt policies that support placing healthy, retired lab animals into private homes, rescue organizations, or trusted sanctuaries.
Sen. Collins on March 24 sponsored the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experimentation, and Research (AFTER) Act, S. 4172, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to also provide flexibility for each agency to devise its own policy, with the goal of ensuring that such animals, whenever possible, are retired rather than killed.
“There is no reason regulated lab animals that are suitable for adoption or retirement should be killed by federal agencies,” Sen. Collins said. “Our bipartisan legislation would continue to build on the successful policies at DOD, VA, FDA, and NIH while directing all other federal agencies to facilitate and encourage the retirement of animals to help ensure they are placed in loving homes or sanctuaries.”
S. 4172 also would require that animals be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian and pronounced both mentally and physically healthy before leaving an agency, helping to ensure a smooth transition to a new environment.
Additionally, the bill would encourage federal agencies to work with nonprofit organizations to help place retired animals in sanctuaries and shelters across the country, not just those closest to the research facility, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.
“Retiring lab animals deserve the chance to live the rest of their lives in loving homes,” said Sen. Peters. “This bill would encourage federal agencies to collaborate with shelters, rescue organizations, and sanctuaries to help provide these animals with safe and caring environments.”
Maine Humane, the Humane World Action Fund, White Coat Waste, and the Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary have endorsed the proposed measure.