Research animals might get another chance
Most of us love Beagles. Their eager to-please, calm personalities make them the perfect pet. This trait also makes them perfect for research purposes. But what happens after these animals are no longer needed for research?
As a dog owner and animal lover, I am interested in protecting animals that have been used for research in our colleges and universities. Currently, there are no federal or state guidelines pertaining to post-research adoption policies for animals used in scientific or medical research. Obviously, once they are no longer needed for this purpose, these dogs and cats should be released for adoption whenever possible.
To help accomplish this, I have joined Assemblymember Matt Dababneh (D – Encino), as the principal co-author of Assembly Bill 147, sponsored by the Beagle Freedom Project. It requires any postsecondary educational institution that uses dogs or cats for research to offer the animals to adoption or rescue organizations if it is determined they are suitable for adoption. While many colleges and universities already have internal adoption programs, this measure will create a statewide standard to supplement those policies.
I am pleased to report that AB 147 received final legislative approval on August 27. The bill has been forwarded to Governor Brown and awaits his signature. If you would like to contact the Governor to request he sign AB 147, please give his office a call at (916) 445-2841 or send him a fax at (916) 558-3160. You may also email Governor Brown through his website at govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/ mail.php
Hopefully, by taking this small step we can ensure that research animals in California have a chance at a full, happy life with a loving human family.
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