Governor Baker of MA Signs Bill Providing Research Animals with the Opportunity for Adoption - National Humane Education Society

August 10, 2022

Paws Up!
To Governor Baker of Massachusetts for signing House No. 901 to require research facilities to offer cats and dogs used for research the chance to be adopted by a loving family.

The inhumane treatment that countless dogs endured in the Envigo breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia, was heartbreaking. One inspection report detailed that puppies did not receive proper nutrition and were hungry while nursing from their mothers who were not producing enough milk. When food was provided to the thousands of dogs in the facility, it was infested with bugs in the self-feeders. The “unknown causes” of death of over 300 puppies within 6 months were just some of the horrific details described during a routine inspection by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This incident is not uncommon, but it has brought to light the tragic reality that many cats and dogs face bred for the sole purpose of animal testing. Thankfully, all of the dogs at Envigo were surrendered to the Justice Department and are on their way to better lives.

The companion animals housed in these research facilities do not have endearing names but are referred to as numbers. They have never known the kindness of a loving touch, the warmth of sunshine on their faces, what it feels like to have rain pelt their fur, or to roll around in the grass and hunt for bugs. There are numerous research facilities scattered throughout the United States. As the horror these animals endure every day comes to the forefront for the public to see, it is the catalyst needed to create change for the animals housed within.

One such change has occurred in Massachusetts. According to a recent news article, Governor Baker has signed legislation known as the Beagle Bill. This law provides a happy ending for some cats and dogs after research by giving them the opportunity to find a home with a loving family. (This can only happen once they are deemed “no risk” to the public.) Specific animal welfare rescues or organizations are not required to take the animals once they are available. These companion animals forever wear the mark of their time in research by the numbers tattooed in their ears. They also bear physical, psychological, and emotional scars, but they still have so much love to give to families willing to be patient and shower them with boundless love.

Our hope is that, sooner rather than later, animal testing will cease, but, in the meantime, please advocate for more states to pass laws like the Beagle Bill. Doing this will give companion animals used for research a chance to become part of a family. Currently, 12 other states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington) have passed laws similar to the Beagle Bill.

Take Action: Massachusetts residents, do you support Governor Baker’s choice to sign the Beagle Bill to provide these sentient creatures, who have known nothing but pain at the hands of humans, a chance to be loved? If so, please send a thank you email today!