While animal advocates are working towards a perfect world where animals are no longer used in experiments, they've also been hard at work trying to get former lab animals a second chance at life after they're no longer being used.
Unfortunately for animals who are used as test subjects, it’s standard to kill them after researchers are finished using them in experiments, regardless of whether or not they’re still healthy. Thanks to the advocacy work of the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP), more awareness has been raised not only about their plight, but about how wonderful they are as pets.
Thanks to BFP's work, over the past two years, five states have passed life-saving legislation, otherwise known as Beagle Freedom Bills, that require research institutions to adopt out healthy dogs and cats and now they're working on passing a similar law in Illinois.
The Research Animal Retirement Bill (HB4297, SB2356), will facilitate a relationship between publicly-funded research facilities and rescue organizations that can take animals when they are no longer being used, which will end the unethical practice of killing them because it's convenient.
Please sign and share this petition urging lawmakers in Illinois to pass this critical piece of legislation that will save countless deserving lives.
As someone who is concerned with the welfare of animals used in research, I was thrilled to learn that Illinois is considering legislation that would give former research animals a second chance at life outside of a lab.
The Animal Retirement Bill (HB4297, SB2356), will facilitate a relationship between publicly-funded research facilities and rescue organizations that can take animals when they are no longer being used, which will end the unethical practice of killing them regardless of whether or not they are healthy, and help ensure that they get the opportunity to experience an entirely new world.
In the past two years, five states including Minnesota, California, Connecticut, Nevada and New York have all passed similar legislation, now it's time for Illinois to join them and help set the precedent for even more states to support these life-saving efforts.
I sincerely hope you will support this compassionate piece of legislation and make Illinois the next state to give former lab animals the second chance they more than deserve.
