Bill would help protect companion animals

On Feb. 28, the State Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will consider SB24067 to mandate that research facilities that use dogs and cats in experiments give those animals up for adoption when they are done being used rather than euthanize them. There is a carveout for animals that are too sick to be adopted.

Given that Colorado ranked 12th for the number of dogs (1,366) and cats (452) used in research in 2021, according to the National Anti-vivisection Society, this legislation could potentially save the lives of hundreds of animals every year.

That means hundreds of dogs and cats in Colorado will get to experience our beautiful landscape, trails and community like they are supposed to.

SB24-067, championed by Senator Jaquez Lewis and Representatives Garcia and Rutinel, will also mandate reporting requirements for animal use laboratories. Federal reporting laws provide only a sliver of information about how many animals are used in research annually. SB24067 will expand our knowledge about what animals are used in Colorado laboratories, how they are used, and in what kinds of experiments.

Transparency is an absolute necessity for us and for the sake of the animals. Armed with information, we can hold laboratories accountable for their actions rather than let them operate covertly, doing who-knows-what to thousands of animals.

SB24-067 is commonsense legislation in a state that takes pride in its commitment to caring for our companion animals. I hope that the legislature supports this reasonable bill so we can keep Colorado ranking among the top pet-friendly states.

— Meredith Blanchard, Louisville