by Shriya Swaminathan
Ever catch yourself tearing up over a video of young beagles stepping onto the grass for the first time in their lives? Rabbits frolicking around the yard without having to fear the next painful injection? Cats sunbathing in a cozy patch of sunlight rather than being restrained and heads prodded into with electrodes? It is a rarity that the animals who were previously regarded as disposable test subjects find safe, loving homes as featured in these heartwarming videos. They learn to trust and experience freedom and joy after only knowing a life of confinement and suffering. However, not all animals who were previously experimented on may experience this new life. In fact, only 13 states in the United States have laws that oversee the rightful adoption of these animals.
Recently, Cruelty Free International embarked on a mission to change that with the introduction of the Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act (H.R. 5726), sponsored by US Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA). According to this bill, any laboratory, in any state, that receives tax-payer funding from the National Institutes of Health, must have adoption policies in place for dogs, cats, and rabbits who are no longer used for research.. The bill also proposes the maintenance of transparent, publicly available records to oversee the implementation of adoption policies.
To rally public support, Cruelty Free International is collaborating with well-loved animal influencers to kickstart a #SendSurvivorsHome campaign! The goal is to raise awareness about the CARE Act and how we may urge support from our respective U.S. representatives. “The #SendSurvivorsHome campaign, which will run throughout the month of November, will focus on the themes of home, family, and love afforded to adopted animals and ask viewers to help give laboratory survivors that chance,” says Monica Engebretson, Head of Public Affairs North America at Cruelty Free International. Influencers on board share a collective following of over 950,000 people across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook and include Lil Hobbs, Ginny and Minnie, Belarus the Cat, and Oreo the bunny rabbit!
Though this bill does not cover the majority of animals experimented on—namely mice and rats—its successful passing may set a precedent for implementing similar policies as we as a society move towards the cessation of ALL animal experimentation.
For more information on how you can make a difference, and steps to connect with your U.S. representatives, please visit the campaign website and make your voices heard for the animals!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shriya is a VEGWORLD writer and Founder of Nourish by Shriya– her Vegan Hospitality Consulting Service that helps local St. Louis businesses attract vegan customers. She is a mentor with Animal Activism Mentorship, enjoys volunteering at The Gentle Barn in Missouri, and currently lives in St. Louis with her rescued pooch Halley.
