California Senate acts to require adoption of research cats and dogs

University laboratories that use dogs and cats for research in California would be required to offer the healthy animals for adoption before euthanizing them under legislation approved Thursday by the state Senate.

The bill applies to publicly funded labs, including those of the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges system. They would be required to offer the animals to animal adoption and rescue groups before putting them to death if an assessment determines the cat or dog is suitable for adoption.

The measure was introduced by Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Woodland Hills), who noted that the UC system has an internal policy to seek adoptions.

“This (bill) helps those animals that are part of research become part of someone’s home,” Dababneh said after the vote.

The lawmaker said information from nonprofit animal advocacy groups convinced him that some healthy animals were slipping through the cracks and being euthanized because efforts to adopt them out failed. Rescue groups are available to take those cats and dogs, he said.

The measure AB 147, was previously approved by the Assembly but goes back there for approval of amendments.

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