Oregon Lawmakers Want Painful Laboratory Experiments on Cats and Dogs to Stop

Banning any laboratory experiment that is painful to cats and dogs and funded by public money won the hearts of a 24-3 majority of Oregon lawmakers who passed Senate Bill 181 last week.

The Senate Bill that prohibits experiments on felines and canines if they do not benefit the species will now go to the House for consideration and final approval.

The Bill Bans Animal Testing for Human Ailments and Allergic Reactions

The bill bans researchers from using cats and dogs to test the efficacy of surgical procedures and medicines that address human ailments and allergic reactions to household cleaners and cosmetics.

Only one research project is underway at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) using dogs to benefit humans. However, the research is privately funded and will not be affected by the bill.

The Governor Has Called on the OHSU to Close its Primate Research Center in Hillsboro

The OHSU conducts research by using a variety of animals, including primates, to gain a better understanding of human ailments.

However, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has called on the university to close its National Primate Research Center, where thousands of baboons and monkeys undergo medical research testing at the Hillsboro facility.

The Oregon governor called for its closure following increasing demands from animal rights organizations.