Animal Research
Safe. Humane. Ethical. Effective. Working together to improve lives for humans and animals
What is Animal Research? (Hint: It’s Not Testing)
Animal research is everywhere, from amateur to scientific. When conducted in a clinical setting, it is simply the study of animals for scientific and medical discovery.
This ranges from studying wildlife to developing treatments for diseases in lab animals and pets. Through this observational and theoretical research, we can understand how things work. And that understanding is the first step toward cures.
See some of the organizations that participate in research with animals.
How Animal Research Benefits Everyone
All research is designed to foster knowledge and improve human and animal health. By supporting real science, we are able to generate real results. Research with animals is evidence-based, clinical care that is outcome-oriented.
- Treat disease and disorders
- Ease pain and suffering
- Extend lifetimes
- Create safe medicines, medical devices, surgical procedures and therapies
By working together, we can save lives. Animal research benefits everyone.
Research with animals is one of the
keys to unlocking medical miracles.
Myths vs. Reality
Judy’s Story: My Retired Research Beagle Is a Hero
The results from Judy’s participation in studies were used to determine the best formulation of drugs, inform further animal studies and help determine human dosing regimens
Astrid’s Story: Medical Intervention Saved My Dog’s Life
Astrid came into my life at the perfect time, providing me with purpose and companionship after moving back to Colorado a year into the pandemic and working remotely
Research on Monkeys Is Regulated and Necessary
Rather than embracing a tunnel vision against animal research that is being perpetuated by animal rights activists, we should try to take a step outside of our comfort zone to better understand the incredible workings of science
“Each of us is touched by illness and disease — from the basic flu to mental illness and cancer — and all of us face the threat of the next epidemic. Medical research is about hope. It brings new therapies and the prospect of a better, healthier future. It is important to invest in science — and to recognize the crucial role that animal research plays in making medical breakthroughs.”
—Claire Pomeroy, MD
Past FBR Board Chair
Lasker Foundation President
Infectious disease physician
How Animal Research Helps Humans
Humans are animals. We all have so much in common with animals we see every day. Because of that, injuries and diseases work in much the same ways. In studying and researching animals, we can understand ourselves much better.
See how ethical research into these animals is vital to improving human life.
- Rats and mice
- Cats
- Dogs
- Nonhuman primates
- Zebrafish and more
How Animal Research Helps Animals
Animal research is not just for humans. By understanding how disease and injuries work and spread in animals, we can
- Help scientists save animals from extinction
- Develop veterinary treatments for pets and livestock
- Understand injuries and treatment
- Improve the lives of animals and humans through vaccinations and treatments for diseases.
- Extend pet and livestock lifespan
- Extend pet and livestock quality of life
The Ethics of Animal Research
The research community supports animal welfare and works to guarantee the health and well-being of all animals. Through rigorous control, important safeguards, and a dedication to a shared common good, the research community protects the animals we need to create better health outcomes.
We are improving computer models and cell culture research, but research with animals is still vital to save lives across species. It is needed to improve the common good.
Did You Know Animal Research Helps Animals, Too?
The Clinical Importance of Pet Trials
We learn more about animal health from other animals. Every year, thousands of people just like you volunteer their pets for vital research into behavior and animal health, including the removal of cancerous tumors to save pet lives. In doing so, they help us protect more and more pets, and more people.
The success of pet trials remind us again that we’re all in this together.
Questions? We Hear You
We know that research with animals can be controversial, and can make people uncomfortable. That’s why we support research into future alternatives. And while right now there is no way to avoid animal and human research, we know there are questions.
Here are some answers, and we encourage you to contact us to learn more.
Support Ethical Animal Research to Save Lives
Our job is to support the laws and regulations that encourage smart, ethical, and effective research with animals. With your help, we can improve human and animal lives now and in the future.