Lab Animal Advocacy at the State House and Across the Commonwealth

May 8 was an amazing day in Massachusetts for animals in research! The MSPCA, along with the Humane Society of the United States, New England Anti-Vivisection Society, and the grassroots group Massachusetts Beagle Freedom, held an event at the State House to promote two pieces of legislation to protect animals used in research. Legislators and staff joined us in support of the Alternatives Bill (S. 505 and H. 823) and Beagle Bill (S. 534, H. 758, H. 764), sampled cruelty-free products, and came to meet rescue beagle Louie!

1. H. 823, S. 505, An Act concerning the use of animals in product testing, requires the use of available test methods that avoid or reduce animal testing of products and ingredients. Alternatives provide information of equivalent or superior quality and relevance to humans in comparison to animal tests. The bill applies to products such as cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial chemicals, like those in paint; it does not apply to testing done for medical research, including testing of drugs or medical devices. These bills are sponsored by Represenative Jack Patrick Lewis, and Senator Mark Montigny.
2. H. 534, H. 758, H. 764, An Act protecting research animals, facilitates a relationship between laboratories that use dogs and cats for research purposes and registered non-profit animal rescue organizations in order to make retired laboratory dogs and cats available for public adoption. These bills are sponsored by Representatives Carolyn Dykema and Michelle DuBois, and Senator Bruce Tarr.

Massachusetts animal advocates also took action on May 8! We held a state-wide call in day, asking residents to call their state representative and state senator and ask for their support on legislation to protect animals in research. Constituent outreach is extremely impactful and we heard legislative offices were flooded with calls. We could not successfully advocate for animals at the State House without your voice!

If you are interested in protecting animals used in research, urge your state senator and state representative to support these bills. Learn who represents you and how to contact them at wheredoivotema.com. To learn more about these bills and other issues, visit www.mspca.org/currentlegislation.

Media:

Sen. Moore of Millbury supports animal protection legislation