Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act

The Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act by significantly expanding its definition of "animal." This proposed legislation specifically includes cold-blooded species such as reptiles, amphibians, cephalopods, and fish within the Act's regulatory scope. These newly covered animals would be subject to the Act's protections when used for research, testing, experimentation, exhibition, or as pets. The bill retains existing exclusions for birds, rats, and mice bred for research, as well as horses not used for research. It also clarifies that farmed animals, including livestock, poultry, and fish used for food, fiber, or agricultural improvement, remain outside the Act's provisions.