Ask your US Representative to support the rehoming of dogs, cats and rabbits
Yesterday we applauded the re-introduction of the Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 2878), by Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41).
The legislation would require research facilities that use dogs, cats and rabbits for research purposes and receive funding from the National Institutes of Health to develop and implement adoption policies for such animals when no longer used for research.
Approximately 200,000 dogs, cats and rabbits are used in experiments in the United States each year. Even when animals survive an experiment, they may be killed and discarded if they are considered no longer useful to the laboratory.
“This is a straightforward, common-sense bill: if you experiment on animals and receive funding from the NIH, you have to give them every chance to find loving homes where they can live out the rest of their lives,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “The least we can do is give these animals a chance at a happy, healthy life. Holding testing facilities accountable for finding animals homes is part of a larger effort to move away from animal-based testing and research wherever possible and toward more humane and sound scientific research.”
“While our first priority should always be to avoid the use of animals in taxpayer-funded research wherever possible, the CARE Act will ensure that any dogs, cats or rabbits used in NIH research studies are offered for adoption,” said Congressman Calvert. “I firmly believe that we must have research policies in place that protect animals as well as the taxpayer.”
Monica Engebretson our North America Head of Public Affairs (who cares for a rabbit rescued from a laboratory) said, “The CARE Act has the potential to save hundreds of animals who are all unique individuals with personalities and a desire to live. This bill builds on what fifteen states have done by ensuring that laboratories that receive tax dollars allow survivors to be adopted into loving homes no matter what state they are in. We applaud Representatives Cárdenas and Calvert for introducing this compassionate legislation.”
Kimberly Wheatfill, Executive Director, Friends of Unwanted Rabbits said, “Our organization knows first-hand that animals released from laboratories can thrive in home environments if given the chance. We thank Congressman Cárdenas and Calvert for introducing the CARE Act to help ensure that dogs, cats and rabbits used in laboratories across the US get a chance to have the life they deserve.”
Last year, we co-hosted an event with Congressman Cárdenas with adopted beagles rescued from the Envigo breeding and research facility in Virginia to raise support for the CARE Act.
You can help by asking your US Representative to become a cosponsor of the CARE Act and by promoting the bill on social media using the hashtag #SendSurvivorsHome.
You can also show your support with our campaign T-shirts and hoodies.