The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses lab animals to test the effects of some medical products, like drugs and vaccines, before the drugs move on to clinical trials using human test subjects. Each year, around 800,000 animals are used in regulated laboratory facilities. The FDA has plans to reduce the use of dogs, cats, and primates in testing, but the agency says some animal testing is necessary. It gives them an insight into things like how quickly medication is absorbed into the body, and how quickly it wears off.
But the so-called "necessary evil" just got less bad. The FDA updated their policy to allow for adoption of retired healthy research animals. Lab animals used to be euthanized once research was over - even if they were healthy. Now, dogs, cats, rabbit, guinea pigs, and some farm animals are all permitted to find happy homes once their lab days are over.
RELATED: The EPA announced it will begin to phase out animal testing
And in case you were wondering, they make good pets. Justin Goodman, of animal advocacy group the White Coat Waste Project, says that animals can still "thrive," despite going through lab tests. Most of the animals have never been outside before and need a little TLC in the adjustment process. "Animals who are going to be adopted out are going to need to go to families or rescues and sanctuaries that are going to have the time and patience and expertise to help them adjust," Goodman told The Hill.
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute of Health also made similar changes in their treatment of retired lab animals. The changes come after a bipartisan animal welfare push. Sen. Susan Collins introduced the Animal Freedom from Testing, Experiments and Research (AFTER) Act last year, which would require federal labs to place animals in rescue shelters or retirement sanctuaries after research is completed.
"There is no reason why regulated research animals that are suitable for adoption or retirement should be killed by our federal agencies," Collins said in a statement to The Hill. "I'm pleased that the FDA has joined the NIH and VA in enacting a lab animal retirement policy."
RELATED: The FDA is issuing cancer warnings on breast implants, because they're finally listening to women
Hopefully, more government agencies follow suit. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture are some of the government agencies that currently don't have retirement policies for lab animals.
There are still ethical issues when it comes to using animals for research purposes, but giving animals a shot at a happy life instead of euthanizing them feels like a step in the right direction.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.