H.R. 3246, known as Violet's Law, amends the Animal Welfare Act to require federal research facilities to develop and implement policies allowing animals no longer needed for research to be adopted or placed in non-laboratory settings. The bill applies to federal departments, agencies, and research facilities that use dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits in research. Facilities must establish standards within one year of the law's enactment to facilitate placement of suitable animals with qualified organizations such as animal rescues, sanctuaries, and shelters, as well as with individual adopters. Before release, each animal must be certified by a licensed veterinarian as free from infectious disease or physical abnormality within ten days of placement. The bill defines strict standards for receiving organizations—such as sanctuaries being non-commercial and not permitting public contact with animals—to ensure appropriate care for retired research animals.
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