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Passed by the House on May 9, 2022. Passed by the Senate on July 11, 2022. Signed by Governor Baker on August 4, 2022. Read the law: Chapter 149 of the Acts of 2022.
This legislation requires a research institution or product testing facility that intends to euthanize a dog or cat for any purpose other than scientific, medical, or educational research to offer the dog or cat for adoption to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization or through private placement before euthanizing the dog or cat. It was sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Carolyn Dykema, and Representative Michelle DuBois.
This provides an opportunity for dogs and cats to live a life in a home as an adopted pet once their time in the research laboratory has come to an end—an opportunity that each of these dogs and cats deserve.
Federal law regulates the care and use of research animals while they are in the laboratory but does not offer any protection to the animal once the research project ends, except regarding humane euthanasia. This law addresses the deficiency by facilitating an open relationship between laboratories and non-profit animal adoption organizations and by codifying the option for private placement of retired research dogs and cats where research facilities have established programs.
Proven model for success: There are a number of research facilities across the country that have instituted successful adoption programs for dogs and cats. At the time of passage, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington had already passed similar legislation — providing an opportunity for dogs and cats to live a life in a home as an adopted pet once their time in the laboratory has come to an end. People who have adopted dogs and cats formerly used in research attest to the resilience and affection of these animals once they are given the chance to flourish in a home environment.
Flexibility and discretion regarding adoption: The law was drafted so that research facilities are not forced to give any animals to specific groups. It simply requires that once an institution makes the determination that a dog or cat is no longer needed for research, is healthy, and doesn’t pose a risk to the health or safety of the public, the research facility must reach out to an animal shelter or rescue organization to ascertain whether it can assist with placement in an adoptive home, or opt for private placement. This law does not require shelter or rescue organizations to take the animals offered by facilities.
Does not impact the conduct of research: This law does not impact the research itself; it simply offers these animals the chance to live out whatever time they have left in an adoptive home. Since discretion regarding when to retire and offer animals for adoption remains entirely with the research facilities, there have been no concerns of regulatory burdens.
Companion animals deserve the opportunity to live in a home. By formalizing the practice of adoption for animals used in research, this law benefits dogs and cats used in scientific development in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This list represents anyone who has signed on to co-sponsor any of the three pieces of legislation on this issue.
