In brief
The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) is initiating an adoption program for lab rats and zebra fish after ceasing its animal testing activities due to budget cuts.
In a notable shift, employees at the Environmental Protection Agency's research facility in North Carolina are stepping into new roles as caretakers for former lab pets—lab rats and zebra fish. This initiative comes as the E.P.A. decreases its animal testing operations amid extensive cuts to government scientific work initiated during the Trump administration. With the agency's Research Triangle Park campus holding around 20,000 animals, predominantly fish and fish larvae, many of these creatures now seek loving homes. The adoption program, designed for agency staff, was confirmed through an email from Maureen R. Gwinn, acting assistant administrator of the E.P.A.'s Office of Research and Development, stating that they are currently accepting applications while evaluating adoption criteria.To promote this compassionate outreach, a poster displayed on campus reads, "Adopt love. Save a life." This message encourages employees to consider bringing a former test animal into their lives. The campus recently found homes for two rabbits, indicating the community's willingness to support this unique cause. As the program unfolds, there are calls for the implementation of guidelines to ensure safe and proper care for the animals, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility among adopters. By facilitating this initiative, the E.P.A. not only aims to transition these animals to new homes but also reflects a broader shift towards ethical treatment of research subjects.
