Support the Beagle Freedom Bill: Former "Research" Beagles and Cats Deserve Forever Homes
There are 65,000 dogs (96% are beagles) and 20,000 cats suffering in U.S. laboratories. They are used to test cosmetics, drugs, household products, and academic curiosities. If they survive these often invasive and painful tests the standard lab policy is to summarily kill them, because the labs are not kennels or adoption organizations.
After all these animals endure in our name, don't they at least deserve a chance at a peaceful life?
Every other aspect of their laboratory time is covered by state or federal policy (food, water, pain management), but there are no guidelines on what happens when the research ends.
The Beagle Freedom Bill (AB 2431) has been introduced in the California State Legislature to address to this very issue. The law will ensure that tax-payer funded laboratories in California must offer up the "experimentally-spent" dogs and cats for public adoption through rescue organizations.
Beagle Freedom Project has demonstrated that this can be done and has rescued almost 200 laboratory animals from dogs and cats to rabbits, pigs, and even ponies. All are thriving in their new homes! With your help and this legislation more can be saved until the business of animal-testing is no more!
Dear [Representative]:
I am a concerned constituent writing in favor of the Beagle Freedom Bill (AB 2431). I firmly believe that when possible these research dogs and cats should get a chance at a normal life after what they endure in tests for our drugs, products, and curiosities.
[Your comment will be added here]
This bill is simple, but important. It facilitates a relationship between the laboratories and the community so that at least a few of these animals can be saved. Every other aspect of a laboratory animal’s life is covered by state or federal policy (bedding, food, water, pain management), but there are no guidelines for how to treat the dog or cat after the testing ends.
I ask that you support the Beagle Freedom Bill. It embodies compassion and common sense. These animals are no different than our own family companion animals and as a tax-payer who funds this research I would like to see them properly cared for. This law would proudly demonstrate California is pioneering a new gold standard for research ethics.
Please vote for the Beagle Freedom Bill. Lives are literally depending on it.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
