§ 239-b. Research dogs and cats. 1. A higher education research
facility that receives public money, including tax-exempt status, or a
facility that provides research in collaboration with a higher education
facility shall after the completion of any testing or research involving
a dog or cat, assess the health of the dog or cat and determine whether
it is suitable for adoption. Such facility shall thereafter make
reasonable efforts to offer for adoption the dog or cat determined to be
suitable for adoption, either through private placement or through an
animal rescue and shelter organization, a duly incorporated society for
the prevention of cruelty to animals, a duly incorporated humane
society, or a duly incorporated animal protective association that
operates physical animal sheltering facilities and offers household pets
to the public for adoption by way of an established adoption program,
prior to euthanizing such dog or cat. Nothing in this section shall
create a duty upon such an organization, association or society to
accept a dog or cat offered by a higher education research facility for
adoption.

2. A facility that is required to offer dogs or cats for adoption
under this section may enter into an agreement with an animal rescue and
shelter organization, a duly incorporated society for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, a duly incorporated humane society, or a duly
incorporated animal protective association that operates physical animal
sheltering facilities and offers household pets to the public for
adoption by way of an established adoption program.

3. The attending or institutional veterinarian at a facility that is
required to offer dogs or cats for adoption under this section shall
have the authority to assess the health of an animal and determine
whether an animal is suitable for adoption.