('Inngress of the ?niteh ?tates Washington, Em September 22, 2017 The Honorable David Shulkin Secretary of Veterans Affairs US. Department of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC. 20420 Dear Secretary Shulkin: As you are aware, in July the House unanimously voted to prohibit taxpayer ?nding in FY18 for the most painful categories of dog experiments conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bipartisan support from our constituents and Congressional colleagues on this issue? including from countless service members and veterans?has been overwhelming. In the course of our ongoing work on this issue, we were encouraged to learn that on an ad hoc basis the VA has adopted out healthy dogs no longer needed for research. You have indicated that this sometimes occurs at the Los Angeles VA, and documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the nonpro?t White Coat Waste Project show that the Cleveland VA has also adepted out some dogs from its laboratories. Since these dogs can go on to live long, healthy lives and because they have often already cost taxpayers thousands each to purchase and house, this is a ?scally and morally responsible thing to do. Veterans, in particular, could be ideal bene?ciaries of such a program. Veterans often ?nd the companionship of a dog provides remarkable physical, emotional, and social bene?ts. Placing retired VA research dogs with veterans would be a way to improve two lives at once. We are very interested in learning more about standard operating procedures for research animal adoptions. Please provide our of?ces with the following information: Is there a standardized VA-wide policy for the adoption of dogs and cats no longer needed for research and testing? If so, please provide a copy. 0 What facilities currently allow for dog adoptions, and what is the process for selecting dogs, ?nding potential homes and placing them? 0 How many dogs have been adopted out by VA labs in the last 5 years? Please provide a list of facilities and dog adoption ?gures. Thank you for your cooperation. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Sincerely, Ted W. Lieu Daniel Donovan Member of Congress Member of Congress ?ina Titus I er of Congress Member of Congress new? Dave Brat Member of Congress