On April 26, 2021, the House of Representatives passed a bill that seeks to better protect pets from abuses and cruelty. The “Pets and Safety Act,” or H.R.2083, was approved by a 415-3 vote, showing strong bipartisan support for the measure.

The next day, the Senate followed suit and ratified the bill, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature.

What is the Pets and Safety Act?

The Pets and Safety Act is a piece of legislation that aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, which sets minimum standards for animal care and treatment, and regulates research that involves animals.

The current law excludes federal animal research facilities, which are operated by the Department of Defense, from its provisions. As a result, many animals used in military research are not covered by the federal animal welfare law.

The Pets and Safety Act seeks to address this oversight by requiring all federal animal research facilities to comply with the Animal Welfare Act, and to provide certain standards of care to animals used in experimentation.

This will ensure that animals are not subject to cruel or inhumane treatment, and that their welfare is taken into consideration in research protocols.

What are the provisions of the bill?

The Pets and Safety Act requires the Department of Defense to provide annual reports on the number and species of animals used in research, as well as the type of procedures performed on them.

These reports will be made public, allowing for greater transparency and oversight of military animal research. The bill also prohibits the use of dogs and cats in military research projects that are not related to combat readiness or medicine.

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Additionally, the bill makes it a federal crime to knowingly sell, purchase, or transport a dog or cat for the purpose of using the animal in research.

This provision is designed to prevent the sale or trafficking of dogs and cats to unscrupulous research facilities, and to ensure that animals are not used in experimentation without proper consent or oversight.

Why is the bill important?

The Pets and Safety Act is important because it recognizes the intrinsic value of animals and seeks to protect them from unnecessary harm and abuse.

By requiring all federal animal research facilities to comply with the Animal Welfare Act, and by providing greater oversight and transparency, the bill will help ensure that animals used in experimentation receive the care and respect they deserve.

Additionally, by prohibiting the sale or trafficking of dogs and cats for research, the bill sends a strong message that animals are not commodities to be bought and sold for profit, but are sentient beings with inherent worth and dignity.

Conclusion

The ratification of the Pets and Safety Act is a victory for animal welfare and human compassion.

By strengthening animal welfare laws and prohibiting cruel and inhumane treatment, the bill sends a powerful message that the United States values the lives and welfare of all animals.