Section 287.388a - Offering of laboratory animal for adoption; requirement; exception; animal protection shelter; written agreement; "Teddy's law"(1) Before euthanizing a laboratory animal no longer needed for laboratory research that the attending veterinarian, as that term is defined in 9 CFR 1.1, determines is suitable for adoption, a research facility shall offer the laboratory animal directly to its employees or to an animal protection shelter located in this state for adoption.(2) A research facility that provides a former laboratory animal to an animal protection shelter may enter into a written agreement to carry out the purpose of subsection (1). A written agreement under this subsection may include an acknowledgment that the animal protection shelter accepts and takes responsibility for any and all risks that may be associated with the former laboratory animal and an agreement to waive the right to hold the research facility liable for behavioral or health issues.(3) An animal protection shelter that places a laboratory animal received from a research facility under subsection (1) for adoption shall enter into a written agreement with the individual that adopts the former laboratory animal. A written agreement under this subsection must include an acknowledgment that the adopting individual understands that the animal was a former laboratory animal. A written agreement under this subsection may also require that the adopting individual accepts any and all risks that may be associated with the former laboratory animal and an agreement to waive the right to hold the animal protection shelter liable for behavioral or health issues.(4) This section may be known as "Teddy's law".Added by 2023, Act 315,s 3, eff. 2/13/2024.