CARE Act of 2023 Companion Animal Release from Experiments Act of 2023
If enacted, this bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure that research facilities must develop and publish clear adoption policies, assess the adoptability of companion animals, and maintain public records regarding the number of animals used in research, adopted out, or put down. This change is intended to promote animal welfare and increase the visibility of animal research ethics, while also reducing the number of animals that are not given a second chance at life after research.
House Bill 2878, formally named the Companion Animal Release from Experiments Act of 2023, aims to enforce guidelines requiring research facilities funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to offer adoption opportunities for dogs, cats, and rabbits once they are no longer needed for biomedical research. The bill arises from growing public concern regarding the treatment of animals used in research and aims to establish a national standard for adopting out these animals rather than allowing them to be euthanized or otherwise discarded after their research utility has ended.
Notably, a point of contention in discussions surrounding HB2878 is the immunity clause for research facilities that adhere to these adoption policies, shielding them from civil liability in the wake of any issues arising post-adoption, except in cases of willful misconduct. Some may view this as necessary protection for research entities, while others might argue it could potentially neglect the responsibilities these facilities have towards the animals post-adoption.