Massachusetts: Protect Dogs and Cats Used in Research

Please ask your state senator to help protect animals in research by supporting legislation to (1) limit the number of animals used in laboratories for product testing by encouraging the use of non-animal alternative methods; and (2) ensure that dogs and cats retired from use in laboratories for product testing or for research, have the opportunity to live a life in a home as an adopted pet.

• An Act Concerning The Use of Animals In Product Testing (2504), known as the “Alternatives Bill,” would require the use of alternative test methods that replace the use of animal tests for products and ingredients when they are available and effective. This would apply to the manufacturers of products such as cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial chemical, like those in paint, as well as their testing facilities.

• An Act Protecting Research Animals (2463), known as the “Beagle Bill,” would require research institutions and product testing facilities to offer dogs and cats for adoption through a non-profit animal shelter or rescue or private placement, at the conclusion of the research, if a necropsy is not mandated. Adopters attest that these dogs and cats flourish once out of a research setting and in a loving home.

More than 1 million animals are used each year in laboratory experiments in the U.S. Animals are used across fields, in many types of research: biomedical, aeronautic, automotive, military, agricultural, behavioral, and cognitive research, and in consumer product testing.

Animals are subjected to horrifically painful experiments, oftentimes without pain killers. However, thanks to better technology and increasing public demand, we have seen some progress, including states take action by facilitating the use of alternative test methods for products, by encouraging the adoption of retired research dogs and cats, and even by outright prohibiting the use of animal testing for cosmetics. But our work here is far from done.

These two Massachusetts animal research bills will help prevent animals from being subjected to unnecessary product-testing laboratory experiments and will help ensure dogs and cats retired from the laboratory may be adopted.

Please contact your state senator today to tell them that you support the “Alternatives Bill” (S.2504) and the “Beagle Bill” (S.2463). Phone calls have much more impact than emails. If you’re able to make a phone call, please do so.

Please contact your state senator today and tell them that you support the “Beagle Bill” (S.2463).