This bill mandates that any cat, dog, or ferret used in product testing or research in New Jersey must be assessed for adoption suitability once the testing is completed. If deemed suitable, these animals must be offered to an animal rescue organization or private individual for adoption. The bill expands existing laws to include ferrets in the adoption process and requires companies and institutions involved in animal testing to register with the Office of Veterinary Public Health (OVPH) and report on the animals used, their condition, and their adoption status. The OVPH is tasked with establishing procedures for documenting these assessments and ensuring compliance with the adoption requirements.

To enforce these provisions, the bill establishes civil penalties for noncompliance, with fines of $10,000 for a first offense and $50,000 for a second offense. A third violation would lead to an injunction against the offending entity, preventing them from conducting further animal testing. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Health to maintain a registry of animal rescue organizations and create a database to facilitate the adoption of animals used in testing. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that animals used in research are given a chance for adoption and that organizations comply with the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4:19-15.33, 18A:3B-85