Chapter 283
2018 -- S 2980
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY -- DISPOSITION OF RESEARCH ANIMALS

Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, and Archambault
Date Introduced: June 19, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Title 4 of the General Laws entitled "ANIMALS AND ANIMAL
HUSBANDRY" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER 27
RETIREMENT OF RESEARCH DOGS AND CATS
     4-27-1. Short title.
     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Research Animal Retirement Act."
     4-27-2. Research dogs and cats -- Retirement.
     (a) A higher education research facility that receives public money, including tax-exempt
status, or a facility that provides research in collaboration with a higher education facility shall,
after the completion of any testing or research involving a dog or cat, assess the health of the dog
or cat and determine whether it is suitable for adoption. Such The facility shall thereafter make
reasonable efforts to offer for adoption the dog or cat determined to be suitable for adoption,
either through private placement or through an animal rescue and shelter organization,; a duly
incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals,; a duly incorporated humane
society,; or a duly incorporated animal protective association that operates physical animal
sheltering facilities and offers household pets to the public for adoption by way of an established
adoption program. These efforts shall be made prior to euthanizing such the dog or cat. Nothing
in this section shall create a duty upon such an organization, association, or society to accept a
dog or cat offered by a higher education research facility for adoption.
     (b) A facility that is required to offer dogs or cats for adoption under this section may
enter into an agreement with an animal rescue and shelter organization,; a duly incorporated
society for the prevention of cruelty to animals,; a duly incorporated humane society,; or a duly
incorporated animal protective association that operates physical animal sheltering facilities and
offers household pets to the public for adoption by way of an established adoption program.
     (c) The attending or institutional veterinarian at a facility that is required to offer dogs or
cats for adoption under this section shall have the authority to assess the health of an animal and
determine whether an animal is suitable for adoption.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005588
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