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AFTER Act of 2026: Retirement and Adoption for Federal Research Animals

This bill requires federal research facilities to allow the adoption or retirement of animals no longer needed for experiments. It aims to give healthy animals a second life in homes, shelters, or sanctuaries instead of being euthanized.
Key points
Federal agencies must create rules for animal adoption within 90 days.
Animals must be cleared by a licensed veterinarian as mentally and physically healthy before retirement.
Adoption is open to individuals, shelters, and animal rescue organizations.
Nonhuman primates must be placed in specialized animal sanctuaries.
The law specifically excludes laboratory rats and mice from these retirement protections.
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Status:
Introduced
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Additional Information
AFTER Act of 2026
Print number: S 4172
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Process start date: 2026-03-24