Sanford Bishop backs ethical treatment of animals

To the Editor, 

Many thanks to Rep. Sanford Bishop for championing efforts to end wasteful taxpayer-funded animal experiments and give a second chance to animals abused in government labs. 

White Coat Waste Project has uncovered how government white coats perform cruel and outdated experiments on thousands of dogs, cats and other animals each year. Historically, most of the animals are killed when testing ends, even if they’re healthy, friendly and adoptable. 

The good news is that dogs, cats, rabbits and primates in government labs have been retired in recent years following our investigations, campaigns, and work with Congress. Some federal agencies now allow lab animal adoption, but other departments are still behind the curve. 

Rep. Bishop is helping bring about change by joining more than 110 lawmakers cosponsoring a bipartisan bill called Violet’s Law to require all federal labs to allow the retirement of animals to shelters, rescues or sanctuaries. 

It’s crucial to have contingency plans for animals in government labs because there’s growing acknowledgment that animal tests are wasteful, and we’re working with Rep. Bishop and other Congressmembers on both sides of the political aisle to end them. 

We’re grateful to Rep. Bishop for holding the government accountable for how animals bought with the public’s money are treated. 

Taylor Millard

Washington, D.C.