KY HB465

Animal testing facilities in Kentucky must offer retired dogs and cats (those no longer needed for research and deemed suitable for adoption by a veterinarian) to animal shelters or directly to individuals for permanent placement, unless euthanasia is required for health or safety reasons

Facilities must keep adoption offers open for a minimum of 30 days and receive civil liability immunity for good-faith transfers of retired animals

State funds are prohibited from being used for animal research or testing that causes pain and distress classified as Category D or E by the USDA under the federal Animal Welfare Act

Beginning January 31, 2027, facilities receiving state funds must publish annual reports on their websites detailing: total animals by species used, active research projects, funding amounts, retired dog/cat adoption programs, and efforts to reduce animal use in research

Livestock and poultry research is exempt from the state funding restrictions and reporting requirements