Massachusetts Senate Bill 2 would require research facilities using cats or dogs to make a “reasonable effort” to offer the animal for adoption into a permanent home before euthanizing them.
Massachusetts Considers Adoption for Cats and Dogs Used in Research
New York Considers Mechanism to Facilitate Adoption for Cats and Dogs Used in Research
New York Assembly Bill 636 would require the New York Department of Education to post information on its website for at least fourteen days about cats and dogs used in research who are available for adoption. It would also require research facilities who must offer these animals for adoption to report that information to the Department.
Texas Bill Would Require Animals Used in Research to be Offered for Adoption
Texas House Bill 121 would require research facilities to offer animals formerly used in research—“retired” animals—for adoption either through an animal rehoming organization or by an individual.
Bill Introduced to Allow Non-Animal Drug Tests
H.R. 8736 proposes to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to allow the sponsor of a drug to use a non-animal test as an alternative to an animal test for the purposes of demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of a drug if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.
PETA Files Suit Over Rejected TAMU Advertisements
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has filed suit against the Vice President of Brand Development for Texas A&M University, Shane Hinckley, alleging that Hinckley rejected an advertisement of PETA’s for display on the local transit system and arguing that this rejection violated PETA’s First Amendment rights.
APHIS Proposes Changes to AWA Information Requirements
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposed a rule altering information requirements under the Animal Welfare Act. The rule would remove the requirement that research facilities update their registration information every three years, remove the requirement of continual review of research animal use activities, remove the requirement that facilities request an inactive status, and remove the requirement that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until November 16, 2020.
APHIS Proposes Changes to AWA Information Requirements
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed a rule altering information requirements under the Animal Welfare Act. The rule would remove the requirement that research facilities update their registration information every three years, remove the requirement of continual review of research animal use activities, remove the requirement that facilities request an inactive status, and remove the requirement that the Institutional Official or Chief Executive Officer sign the annual report. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until November 16, 2020.
Permit Granted to Mystic Aquarium for Import of Beluga Whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association has announced that a permit has been issued to Mystic Aquarium for the import of five beluga whales for the purposes of scientific research.
Friends of Animals Challenges Mystic Aquarium Permit Issuance
Friends of Animals has filed suit against Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the National Marine Fisheries Service, claiming that the agency violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act and National Environmental Policy Act when it issued a permit for Mystic Aquarium to import five beluga whales.