Testing on dogs – HSUS News

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), laboratories reported having approximately 43,000 dogs in their facilities in 2020. The vast majority of dogs were used in experiments; approximately 1,600 were used for breeding or were held but not used in experiments in 2020.
View a Map of the Number of Dogs Used in Experiments Per State
View a List of U.S. Laboratories that Use Dogs in Experiments
Back to top
Dogs are used to test the safety of drugs, pesticides, medical devices and other products. Testing aims to determine how a substance, ingredient or device will affect human health. Dogs used for testing are fed quantities of the test substance—such as a weed killer or a new medicine under development—on a daily basis for months and observed for harmful effects. Dogs can receive these substances in their food, via pills or, in some cases, through force-feeding. They are sometimes injected with substances or forced to inhale them. The dogs are eventually killed so that their tissues and organs can be examined. In testing medical devices or other products, dogs are implanted with items such as pacemakers and typically killed after the test period is over.
Dogs are also used in many types of experiments, including cardiac, neurological, respiratory and dental. Dogs may be specially bred to have a fatal disease, such as muscular dystrophy. In other cases, healthy dogs will be operated on to give them symptoms of serious conditions like heart disease or to remove or damage some of their organs and then further experimented upon. They are also typically killed after the research is over.
Back to top
Chemical, pesticide and drug companies (as well as contract laboratories that carry out tests for these companies), public and private universities, community and technical schools, government-owned facilities, Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and hospitals use dogs in research and testing.
View a Chart of Institutions That Use Dogs
Back to top
Research institution
# of dogs in 2020
Headquarters
Charles River Laboratories
8,831
MA
Covance Laboratories
4,385
NJ
Daniel E. Holland Military Working Dog Hospital
1,376
TX
Summit Ridge Biosystems, Inc.
1,086
PA
Zoetis LLC
1,306
NJ
 
Back to top
The majority of dogs in laboratories are purpose-bred, meaning that they are bred specifically to be used in experiments. Breeders of purpose-bred dogs are called Class A dealers and are licensed and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  
Back to top
Breeders of purpose-bred dogs are called Class A dealers and are licensed and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Of the Class A dealers selling to laboratories in 2019, the following dealers had some of the the largest numbers of dogs in their possession:
Dealer
# of dogs in 2019
Location
Marshall Farms Group Ltd.
23,354
North Rose, NY
Covance Research Products Inc.
4,795
Denver, PA
Ridglan Farms
3,153
Blue Mounds, WI
 
Back to top
Dogs in laboratories are kept in barren steel cages, often alone. They may be subjected to repeated surgeries, force-fed drugs, pesticides or other substances and observed for harmful effects such as heart failure, liver disease, signs of cancer or even death. In some cases, they are used by technicians to practice procedures such as force-feeding and blood collection.
See What We Found in Our Recent Undercover Investigation
Back to top
A few fortunate dogs may be adopted after their use in the laboratory, but the majority of dogs used in experiments are killed, especially those used in chemical/drug testing. More and more states are passing laws that require laboratories, when possible, to offer dogs to shelters and other rescue organizations so they can be adopted.
Back to top
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is supposed to protect certain animals, like dogs, used in experiments, but this law only offers minimum standards for housing, food and exercise. The law also stipulates that the proposed experiments be reviewed by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which is appointed by the laboratory and largely made up of employees of the institution. A 2014 audit report reviewing AWA oversight of research facilities found that “animals are not always receiving basic humane care and treatment and, in some cases, pain and distress are not minimized during and after experimental procedures.”
Back to top
Certain tests on dogs are required by government agencies. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that dogs be used in a 90-day pesticide test and the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates various products such as drugs, devices and food and color additives, will not approve potential drugs unless they are first tested on animals, which usually includes dogs since they have historically been used. Additional tests for pesticides and drugs are carried out on rats, rabbits, mice, birds and, in some cases, primates. These types of tests have been performed for years, regardless of whether they provide valuable information. It is time for agencies to take a critical look at these tests and determine if they provide information necessary for assessing human safety or if better approaches are available. Agencies should also be investing in the development of non-animal methods.
Back to top
Pound seizure is the practice of releasing or selling cats and dogs in animal shelters to laboratories and other facilities where they are used in biomedical research, product development, testing and educational demonstrations. While a number of states no longer allow this practice, many still do or leave it up to localities to decide.
View a Map of State Pound Seizure Laws
Back to top
Not only do non-animal test methods exist, but they are being developed at record speed—and the truth is that many of these methods are not only better for animals, they are better for humans too. While we’re not there yet, the world is moving toward a future dominated by sophisticated non-animal methods that use human cells and organs, 3D printing, robots, computers and other sophisticated methods to create approaches to testing and research that do not rely on animals. These methods can be faster, often less expensive and more effective than current animal experiments and will only continue to improve over time while animal testing will always have severe limitations.
Back to top
We are currently calling on federal agencies to develop a plan and create a timetable for phasing out and ending all experiments on dogs. We also want all the federal funding mechanisms to commit to supporting the development and use of non-animal methods.
Back to top
You can help animals used in experiments by swapping out your personal care and household products for cruelty-free versions! Products tested on dogs include pesticides such as weed killer, insect repellent, DEET, rat poison, boric acid, insect killer and mothballs. Cosmetics (such as shampoo, deodorant and lipstick) and household products (such as dish soap, laundry detergent and glass cleaner) are typically tested on rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals.
View Leaping Bunny’s Shopping Guide
You can also take action! Add your voice and demand better for dogs used in experiments.
Stand With Us to End Research and Tests on Dogs
By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive autodialed, recurring text messages from the HSUS with updates and ways you can help animals. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 77879 to opt out, HELP for info. Privacy Policy. Terms & Conditions.
© 2022 The Humane Society of the United States Privacy Policy & Terms
The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to the HSUS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The HSUS’s tax identification number is 53-0225390.
The U.S. imports more hippo parts than any other country. It’s time to stop this. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list hippos under the Endangered Species Act.
The U.S. imports more hippo parts than any other country. It’s time to stop this. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list hippos under the Endangered Species Act.
The U.S. imports more hippo parts than any other country. It’s time to stop this. Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list hippos under the Endangered Species Act.

source