S. 4172: Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2026

The Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act of 2026, also known as the AFTER Act of 2026, aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to change how certain animals used in federal research are treated once they are no longer needed for scientific purposes. The primary focus of this bill is on ensuring that these animals can be adopted or placed in suitable environments rather than being euthanized or abandoned.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Definition of Terms:
  • The bill introduces definitions for terms such as "animal rescue organization," "animal sanctuary," "animal shelter," and "covered animal," which refers to any animal that is unwanted, abandoned, or in need of care.
  • It excludes certain animals, specifically rats and mice of specific genera, from these provisions.
• Retirement of Animals:
  • Federal research facilities must develop regulations within 90 days of the bill's enactment to facilitate the retirement of animals deemed suitable for adoption.
  • The regulations must prioritize placing these animals with nonprofit organizations like animal shelters or sanctuaries that meet specific criteria.
  • For nonhuman primates, placement should preferably be in sanctuaries.
• Public Involvement:
  • Regulations will be subject to public notice and comment to ensure transparency and community input.
• Collaboration with Nonprofits:
  • Federal research facilities are encouraged to collaborate with nonprofit organizations for the placement of animals.
• Geographic Considerations:
  • The regulations will account for placing animals with organizations that may be outside the immediate area of the research facility.
• Impact on Existing Laws:
  • The bill does not preempt state or local laws that may have stricter requirements for the placement of animals.
  • It also allows for the placement of chimpanzees into sanctuaries as outlined in existing legislation.

Implementation of New Regulations

The bill mandates that the U.S. departments and agencies oversee the compliance of their laboratory animal facilities with the new standards. There are specific guidelines that these facilities need to follow as they transition to the new retirement and placement practices for animals used in research.

Goals of the Bill

The primary goal is to ensure that animals used for federal research are not left without care when they are no longer needed. The bill aims to promote humane treatment and adoption avenues that respect the well-being of these animals, fostering a system that integrates them back into society or into caring environments when possible.

Relevant Companies

• None found