Animals In Science

Which Animals Are Used

The USDA’s 2017 annual report on animal use at research facilities shows a decrease in the number of animals used in U.S. laboratories. The report revealed that a total of 932,954 animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) were held and used in labs last year, compared to 958,256 last year, a decrease of less than three percent. Nearly 40% of AWA regulated animals used in research experienced pain and distress.

Twenty-two percent of all regulated animals used in labs are guinea pigs, by far the most used animal in research and testing, followed by rabbits (17%) and hamsters (11%). Since 2016, the numbers of dogs in labs increased 12%, rabbits over 16%, and sheep 19%. Additionally, nearly 20% of all animals held in labs fall into either the “all other covered species” category, like gerbils, bats, ferrets, and chinchillas or the “Other Farm Animals,” like goats and horses.

It is important to note that only animals covered by the AWA are included in this report. Since fish and rats, mice, and birds, bred for research, do not fall under the umbrella of the AWA, labs are not required to count them. AAVS estimates that more than 93% of animals used in U.S. labs are excluded from the AWA. Unlike the U.S., the European Union and Canada provide regulatory and legal protection for these animals.

To learn more, read the USDA Research Facility Annual Summary & Archive Reports. Be sure to scroll down to see explanations for the different pain categories, as well as the list of annual reports.

Types of Animals Used

  2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
CATS 19,368 20,193 21,081 22,398 25,815
DOGS 74,853 66,763 67,181 65,153 74,077
GUINEA PIGS 206,174 203,161 186,897 186,457 211,495
HAMSTERS 103,223 106,828 106,729 144,377 143,679
RABBITS 162,687 139,391 154,010 170,917 190,068
NONHUMAN PRIMATES 110,194 109,821 105,584 105,665 107,256
PIGS 57,589 56,059 52,131 50,609 61,624
SHEEP 15,848 13,305 12,042 12,265 13,424
OTHER FARM ANIMALS 26,213 23,216 32,205 33,576 39,899
OTHER AWA ANIMALS 156,805 202,840 166,287 209,310 171,639
TOTALS 932,954 958,256 904,147 1,000,727 1,038,976
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