A bill pending in the Michigan House of Representatives would ban pound seizure, the sale of dogs and cats by public shelters for use in research.

Michigan does not require pound seizure as in Utah, Minnesota and Oklahoma, but does allow public shelters to sell animals to research facilities. This bill would end that practice.

Under the bill, H.B. 5263, it would be illegal for research facilities to obtain dogs or cats from anyone except licensed dealers or breeders. The breeders, though, are not required to be licensed.

No one will be allowed to buy or sell dogs or cats for research at auctions or by weight.  

The bill would also ban the purchase, sale or supply of dogs and cats from random sources for research. Random sources are defined as dogs and cats obtained from auctions or someone who did not breed and raise the animal.

A copy of the bill can be found in Animal Law Coalition's Pending Bills.   

Click here for more on pound seizure.

What You Can Do

Call or write (faxes are best) Michigan lawmakers and urge them to pass this bill which was introduced by Rep. Coleman Young and is pending before the Committee on Regulatory Reform.  Find and contact your Michigan state representative.   Find and contact your Michigan state senator.

Also, support the federal Pet Safety and Protection Act which has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate as part of the Farm bill. It will soon be considered by a Conference Committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.  This landmark legislation would ban the sale or supply of "random source" dogs and cats by Class B dealers to research facilities.  (Class B dealers are basically licensed dealers who buy, sell and transport animals.) Click here for more information about this federal bill and where you can write or call to urge Congress to pass it.