New bill mandates release of dogs, cats after lab research - KMSP-TV

New bill mandates release of dogs, cats after lab research

The Minnesota Senate will hear a bill that mandates the release of dogs and cats for public adoption after their use in laboratory research.

The non-profit organization Beagle Freedom Project says the bill would require any animal testing facility that receives state funding to offer dogs and cats for public adoption at the end of the study.

The Beagle Freedom Project is a rescue group that specializes in the retirement and adoption of dogs used in laboratory research.

"Just because they were bred for research that shouldn't have to be their only destiny," Beagle Freedom Project president Shannon Keith said in a press release. "There are no differences between these dogs and cats and the ones 60 million Americans share their homes with."

Minnesota would be the first state to enact the legislation if the bill passes.