Oklahoma Senator Nikki Nice is calling for the repeal of a state law that allows unclaimed animals in local pounds to be turned over for scientific research.
Nice held an interim study on the issue before the Senate Local and County Government Committee. Oklahoma is the last state with such a mandatory pound seizure law still on the books.
The law dates to 1951 and includes provisions allowing licensed institutions to obtain unclaimed animals from pounds for scientific or educational purposes.
Nice said the practice has not been used in recent years, but the law should still be repealed.
“In 1951, Oklahoma approved mandatory pound seizure, but in 2026, we’re the only state to still have such a law on the books,” Nice said. “It really hasn’t happened in recent years, but people are outraged when they learn we have a statute that could still force a pound to turn over pets for medical testing.”
Representatives from animal welfare organizations, local animal services and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry testified during the study.
Nice said she plans to work with lawmakers during the next legislative session to repeal the law.
