Animal Welfare - Pet Safety and Protection Act

Most research facilities still perform tests on animals. These animals are obtained through “dealers” that are classified as either Class A or Class B. Class A dealers breed animals solely for the purpose of testing. Class B dealers deliver animals acquired from “random sources”; sources which can include adoptions from animal shelters, responding to “free to good home” ads, from capturing strays … even from kidnapping dogs and cats from their homes.

At present, both the U.S. House and Senate are considering legislation to help further the protections afforded companion animals in the U.S. The proposed bipartisan legislation would prohibit Class B dealers from selling animals to laboratories, to help ensure that cats and dogs used for research are not obtained through fraudulent practices or theft.