Providing for the adoption of certain animals confined by research facilities

This bill requires a research facility receiving state or federal moneys (qualified research facility) to participate in an adoption program for dogs or cats confined at the research facility that are no longer used for research, education, testing, or other scientific purpose. The dog or cat is deemed retired and the qualified research facility must provide for the retired animal’s adoption into a permanent home if the animal has no substantial medical condition, and poses no safety risk to the public, that would prevent the animal’s successful integration into a permanent adoptive home. The qualified research facility must either offer the retired animal to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization under an agreement entered into by the parties, or to a person as part of a private adoption arrangement.