New Colorado law aims to find “forever homes” for dogs and cats used in health research

A new Colorado law will require health-related research facilities that use dogs and cats as test subjects to try adopting out the animals before euthanizing them Health-Related Research Test Subjects or Senate Bill was signed into law by Gov Jared Polis on Tuesday From now on dogs and cats that are subjects to scientific research in Colorado will be valued for their provision and given the opportunity to find a forever home Polis mentioned in a message The law requires facilities to offer a dog or cat to an animal shelter or a pet animal rescue for the purpose of adoption before euthanizing the animal or to find them homes through an internal adoption activity Research facilities will also be required to statement how various dogs and cats they send to animal shelters or adopt out through internal programs every year Researchers can still euthanize dogs and cats for research medical or safety reasons according to the bill Bill sponsor Sen John Carson R-Highlands Ranch stated the law is common sense and a great way to encourage pet adoption in general Five of the last six pets in Carson s family have been adopted he added Another of the bill s sponsors Rep Manny Rutinel D-Commerce City reported the law reflects Colorado s commitment to compassion This law will ensure that animals used in health-related research are given the dignity of a second chance Rutinel noted in a declaration Humane World for Animals previously called The Humane Society of the United States was one of the main advocates for the bill state director Aubyn Royall declared The group also supported a different version of the bill introduced last year which did not make it to the governor s desk Last year s bill also required state-level reporting on mice and rats used for research which seemed to be a step too far for specific legislators and stakeholders Royall announced Just covering two species made it a little more straightforward Royall revealed While we recognize selected of these animals would not be good for a home certain of them would make great pets and deserve that second chance Related Articles Uber says it may pull out of Colorado if ride-hailing safety bill passes Pope Francis s kindness compassion set the mold for Cardinals to follow Letters An investor paid for a Denver family s foreclosed home Now a judge has ordered him to give it up Prominent Colorado LGBTQ groups hedge on help for transgender rights bill Colorado bill would give new content centers big tax exemptions but critics question if that s necessary or right Health-related research facilities document how a large number of animals are used as test subjects to the U S Department of Agriculture In the bulk contemporary analysis available facilities that used dogs and or cats for research included Colorado State University and Fort Collins research facilities Inotiv and High Quality Research Royall noted she s seeing a shift in inhabitants perception of animal test subjects and more organizations seeking out non-animal testing methods for anatomical devices and medications We re excited to embrace that she stated Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter The Spot