Bill Summary
The proposed legislation, titled "Violet's Law," aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to facilitate the adoption or non-laboratory placement of certain animals used in federal research. Specifically, it mandates that federal research facilities develop standards to ensure that animals no longer needed for research—such as dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits—are evaluated for their suitability for release to animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or private individuals.
The law defines key terms, including "animal rescue organization," "animal sanctuary," and "animal shelter," setting criteria for what qualifies as each. Additionally, it requires that eligible animals receive a veterinary inspection to confirm they are free from infectious diseases or physical abnormalities before being placed in a new home. The legislation is intended to promote the welfare of research animals by providing them with opportunities for adoption and a life outside the laboratory.
Possible Impacts
The enactment of "Violet's Law," which amends the Animal Welfare Act to facilitate the adoption or non-laboratory placement of animals previously used in federal research, could affect people in several significant ways:
1. **Increased Availability of Pets**: By allowing the adoption of animals such as dogs, cats, and small mammals that were formerly used in research, more individuals and families may have the opportunity to adopt pets. This could lead to increased companionship and emotional support for those who adopt these animals, potentially improving their overall well-being.
2. **Strengthened Animal Welfare Organizations**: Animal rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and shelters are likely to benefit from this legislation as they may receive more animals in need of new homes. This increase in animal placements could lead to more funding and support for these organizations, allowing them to expand their services and outreach efforts, ultimately enhancing animal welfare in the community.
3. **Public Awareness and Education**: The implementation of "Violet's Law" could raise public awareness about the ethical treatment of animals used in research and the importance of adoption. This increased awareness may lead to more community engagement in animal welfare issues, fostering a culture of compassion and responsibility towards all animals, including those that have been part of research programs.
Overall, "Violet's Law" aims to improve the lives of both animals and people by promoting the adoption of animals that would otherwise be left without homes while enhancing the role of animal welfare organizations.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3246 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3246
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to allow for the adoption or non-
laboratory placement of certain animals used in Federal research, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2025
Ms. Mace (for herself, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Gimenez, Ms. Scanlon, Ms.
Malliotakis, Ms. Meng, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Tran, Mrs.
Harshbarger, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Nehls, Mrs. McBath, Mr.
Connolly, Ms. Chu, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. Omar, Ms. Titus,
Mr. Carson, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Gottheimer,
Mr. Stauber, Ms. Norton, Ms. Barragan, Mrs. Kim, Ms. Scholten, Mr.
Johnson of Georgia, and Mr. Perry) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Animal Welfare Act to allow for the adoption or non-
laboratory placement of certain animals used in Federal research, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Violet's Law''.
SEC. 2. PLACEMENT OF ANIMALS USED IN FEDERAL RESEARCH.
Section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2144) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 14. STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL FACILITIES.
``(a) Laboratory Animal Facilities.--Any department, agency, or
instrumentality of the United States having laboratory animal
facilities shall comply with the standards and other requirements
promulgated by the Secretary under sections 13(a), (f), (g), and (h).
``(b) Adoption and Non-Laboratory Placement.--Any department,
agency, or instrumentality of the United States operating as a Federal
research facility shall, not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, promulgate standards and other
requirements that, in the determination of the department, agency, or
instrumentality, facilitates the adoption or non-laboratory placement
of any eligible animal of the facility no longer needed for research
and determined to be suitable for release to an animal rescue
organization, animal sanctuary, animal shelter, or individual.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Animal rescue organization.--The term `animal rescue
organization' means an organization--
``(A) described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation
under section 501(a) of such Code; and
``(B) with the purpose of rescuing animals that are
unwanted, abandoned, or otherwise in need of placement
and finding permanent adoptive homes for such animals.
``(2) Animal sanctuary.--The term `animal sanctuary' means
an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of such Code that--
``(A) is registered with the Secretary;
``(B) operates a place of refuge--
``(i) where an unwanted, displaced, or
retired animal is provided care for the
lifetime of such animal; and
``(ii) where an unescorted public
visitation of such an animal is not permitted;
``(C) does not engage in commercial trade of such
an animal;
``(D) does not breed such an animal;
``(E) does not permit direct contact between the
public and such an animal;
``(F) does not allow the use of such an animal for
performance or exhibition purposes; and
``(G) does not conduct research that pains or
distresses such an animal.
``(3) Animal shelter.--The term `animal shelter' means a
facility that accepts or seizes animals to care for such
animals, place such animals in a permanent adoptive home, or
carry out law enforcement purposes.
``(4) Eligible animal.--The term `eligible animal' means
any dog, cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, or rabbit.
``(5) Suitable for release.--The term `suitable for
release' means an eligible animal that has been evaluated and
has received a certificate issued by a veterinarian licensed to
practice veterinary medicine, certifying that they inspected
the eligible animal on a specified date that is not more than
ten days before such animal is released, and when so inspected,
the eligible animal appeared free of any infectious disease or
physical abnormality which would endanger the eligible animal,
other animals, or public health.''.
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