The AFTER Act (Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments, and Research Act) requires federal research facilities to retire animals no longer needed for research and place them in adoptive homes, animal sanctuaries, or shelters rather than euthanizing them. Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, federal agencies operating research facilities must develop regulations that facilitate and encourage adoption by rescue organizations, sanctuaries, shelters, or individuals, with special requirements that nonhuman primates go to sanctuaries. The bill applies to all animals except laboratory rats and mice, and only covers animals determined by a veterinarian to be mentally and physically healthy enough for retirement. The legislation does not override state or local animal welfare laws that are stricter than federal requirements, and it preserves existing chimpanzee sanctuary protections. The bill carries no explicit new federal funding authorization but requires agencies to use existing resources to implement the placement regulations.
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