By Bob Katzen

Governor Baker signed into law a bill that would require research labs to make every effort to offer healthy animals up for adoption by registered non-profit animal rescue organizations rather than euthanizing them when the research is done.

Supporters said that more than 60,000 dogs—almost all beagles—and nearly 20,000 cats, are used each year for animal experimentation in the United States to advance scientific research and to test cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other household products. They noted that sadly many research labs choose to automatically euthanize these cats and dogs once their experiments are over.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the Senate sponsor of the measure, did not respond to several requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on Gov. Baker signing the proposal into law.

“We are so thrilled to have this bill enacted after five years of consideration,” said Cara Zipoli of the Beagle Freedom Project. “We look forward to developing partnerships between our research and animal welfare communities to ensure as many dogs and cats find loving homes as possible.”