Last week, US Senators Susan Collins from Maine as well as Gary Peters from Michigan re-introduced Law on the freedom of animals from testing, experiments and research (AFTER). Bipartisan legislation should ensure that every federal agency that uses animals for research has policies that encourage the relocation of retired healthy laboratory animals to private homes, animal rescue sites, or respected wildlife reserves.
Waste management project “White Coat”, the taxpayer oversight group that enforced the retirement policy of laboratory animals in National Institutes of Health (NIH), United States FDA (FDA) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VBUT) in In recent years, has applauded Senators Peters and Collins for “enacting the Act AFTER to ensure that healthy animals in all federal labs have a second chance after experiments are over.” According to the organization, the AFTER Act will extend this policy to all federal agencies, “Efforts supported by 68% of taxpayers ”.
“There is no reason why regulated laboratory animals that are suitable for adoption or retirement should be killed by federal agencies,” Senator Collins said in a statement. statement. “Our bipartisan legislation will continue to build on the successful policies of the Department of Defense, Virginia, FDA and NIH, while directing all other federal agencies to promote and encourage animal retirement to ensure accommodation in loving homes or reserves “
AFTER provides flexibility for each agency to develop its own policy to ensure that these animals are retired and not killed whenever possible. Legislation also requires animals to be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian and found to be mentally and physically healthy before leaving the agency, which helps ensure a smooth transition to the new environment. Finally, the law encourages federal agencies to work with nonprofits to help place retirees in nature reserves and shelters across the country, not just those closest to the research center.
In the financial year 2019, The federal government has experimented with about 38,000 animals, mostly cats, dogs, monkeys and rabbits, for research purposes. Currently, since federal agencies have no formal retirement or adoption policy for animals that are no longer needed for research, many are being killed. However, recent peer-reviewed research suggests that adopted experimental animals often thrive in new habitats.
“Ensuring that animals no longer used in federal research can be adopted into loving homes is just the right step,” said Senator Peters. “I am proud to work with Senator Collins to re-enact this bipartisan legislation that would encourage federal agencies to partner with shelters that can provide these animals with a safe, supportive environment for the next phase of their lives.”
IN 2013, Senator Collins helped spearhead efforts to retire hundreds of primates previously used in NIH experiments.
Legislation supported Maine Federation of Humane Societies as well as Waste project “White Coat”.
Astoundingly estimated 100 million animals including: dogs, cats, rats, mice, fish, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, monkeys, and birds killed annually in US laboratories for experimentation and animal testing.
WAN and Peace 4 Animals sees a future where the outdated, outdated animal testing model is a thing of the past.
You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and glass. #GoVeg
Post US Senators Reintroduce AFTER Act; A bill to make retired animals of the US government permanently home first appeared in World Animal News.