Research Animals

Summary: This article extends Gary Francione's analysis of these concepts from Rain without Thunder within the context of animal experimentation. Michael argues that Francione's work leads us to the conclusion that the notions of necessary and unnecessary suffering are empty of meaning, and no significant difference exists between them. That humans cause animals to suffer in abundance is reality. That their suffering is necessary in order to fulfill human purposes is fantasy.

Summary: This article was adapted from remarks from Bryan D. Ogden at a symposium held by the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College on September 23, 1995 regarding issues affecting domestic and captive animals.

Summary: This article was adapted from remarks from David Favre at a symposium held by the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College on September 23, 1995 regarding issues affecting domestic and captive animals.

Summary: This article was adapted from remarks from Arthur B. LaFrance at a symposium held by the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College on September 23, 1995 regarding issues affecting domestic and captive animals.

Summary: The author argues that, in promulgating regulations under the Pet Theft Act, the United States Department of Agriculture erred in its interpretation of the law and misapplied basic rules of statutory construction. The article examines some of the confusions that have arisen in the pound seizure dispute due to the new amendments and regulations.

Summary: This Maryland statute provides that a research facility located in the State in which dogs or cats are used for scientific research purposes shall take reasonable steps to provide for the adoption of a dog or cat after a determination that the animal is no longer needed for research. This shall be done through a private placement process for adoption, establishing a list of animal rescues willing to take in these animals, or offering a dog or cat to the rescues.

Summary: This chapter, adopted in 2018, is the “Research Animal Retirement Act." A higher education research facility that receives public money must assess the health of a cat or dog to determine whether it is suitable for adoption once any testing or research on the animal has been completed. The facility must then make reasonable efforts to place those suitable dogs or cats through private adoption or adoption through a shelter or rescue. These efforts shall be made prior to euthanizing the dog or cat.

Summary: The purpose of this subchapter is to ensure that healthy cats and dogs that are no longer needed for research, education, testing, or other scientific purposes are made available for adoption instead of euthanized and to create a process for adoption through agreements with local shelters or rescue groups. When a research facility no longer needs a cat or dog that does not pose a health or safety risk to the public, the research facility shall either offer the animal to a rescue organization or shelter for adoption or offer it for adoption through private placement.

Summary: This Florida law provides guidelines for use of animals in K-12 instruction. It prohibits surgery or dissection on any living mammalian vertebrate or bird (vivisection). While dissection may be performed on nonliving subjects, students may be excused from this upon written request from a parent. In addition, any live animals on the premises of public and private elementary, middle, and high schools shall be housed and cared for in a humane and safe manner. If any instructional employee of a public high school or career center knowingly or intentionally fails or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the district school board may suspend, dismiss, return to annual contract, or otherwise discipline such employee as provided in the law.

Summary: This New York law requires those officers, boards or commissions authorized or required to prescribe courses of instruction that receive public funding to establish a humane education curriculum as described. Additionally, the law states that any school that uses animal for study must provide: (1) appropriate quarters; (2) sufficient space for the normal behavior and postural requirements of the species; (3) proper ventilation, lighting, and temperature control; (4) adequate food and clean drinking water; and (5) quarters which shall be cleaned on a regular basis and located in an area where undue stress and disturbance are minimized. With regard to dissection, the law allows any student who expresses a moral or religious objection to performing or witnessing the dissection of an animal to be provided the opportunity to undertake an alternative project. This request by the student must be substantiated in writing by the student's parent or legal guardian. Students who decline dissection are not to be penalized under the law and parents and students must be notified about their rights under this law. Finally, the law prohibits certain experimentation on live vertebrate animals.