The Washington D.C. City Council has passed legislation, sponsored by Council Members Mary M. Cheh, Jim Graham, Kwame R. Brown and Vincent C. Gray, strengthening animal cruelty regulations and amending the Veterinary Practices Act. While the cruelty statute contains an exemption for medical research, the legislation also contains language prohibiting shelters from donating or selling animals to be used in research. The amendments to the Veterinary Practices Act place greater regulations on those practicing veterinary medicine, but do not apply to individuals conducting veterinary medicine for animal research. The bill was passed July 1. To view the text of the bill, visit the link below.