Animal Welfare Information Center Newsletter, Summer 1996, Vol. 7 No. 2
by
Richard L. Crawford, DVM
Animal Welfare Information Center, National Agricultural
Library, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
Introduction
Pain/Distress Reporting Categories
Animals Used in Research
Tables and Figures
- Table 1. Number of Licensees and Registrants: 1973-1995
- Table 2. Number of Regulated Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
- Table 3. Number of Animals Used in Pain/Distress Reporting Categories: 1973-1995
- Figure 1. Licensed Dealers: 1973-1995
- Figure 2. Exhibitors: 1973-1995
- Figure 3. Research Facilities: 1973-1995
- Figure 4. Pain and Distress Categories: 1973-1995
- Figure 5. Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
- Figure 6. Dogs and Cats Used in Research: 1973-1995
- Figure 7. Nonhuman Primates Used in Research: 1973-1995
- Figure 8. Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Rabbits Used in Research: 1973-1995
- Figure 9. Other Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
The data for this review is taken from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's (USDA) Animal Welfare Enforcement reports,
hereafter referred to as "annual reports," issued each year from
1973 through 1995. The annual reports deal with the number of
licensed and registered facilities, animals used in pain and
distress reporting categories, and the number of regulated
animals reported used in research for each of the years. This
compilation of the report data from 1973 to 1995 is not meant to
be detailed or comprehensive or to establish any definiteconcepts or conclusions. It is offered solely to present the
data to those interested in such information, to point out areas
of reporting that have changed over the years or that may be of
questionable value, and to provide some overall trends in
enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) over a 23-year
history. It is hoped that this information will stimulate some
thought, discussion, and further analysis of the data. For
example, although some stolen dogs have been found in research
facilities, the number of dogs reported used in research each
year certainly does not support the claim that millions of stolen
dogs are used in research.
In this review, the following tables contain data from the Animal
Welfare Enforcement reports to Congress from 1973 through 1995:
Table 1. Number of Licensees and Registrants: 1973-1995
Table 2. Number of Regulated Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
Table 3. Number of Animals Used in Pain/Distress Reporting Categories: 1973-1995
Immediately following each table are figures to graphically
portray the data from the tables:
Figure 1. Licensed Dealers: 1973-1995
Figure 2. Exhibitors: 1973-1995
Figure 3. Research Facilities: 1973-1995
Figure 4. Pain and Distress Categories: 1973-1995
Figure 5. Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
Figure 6. Dogs and Cats Used in Research: 1973-1995
Figure 7. Nonhuman Primates Used in Research: 1973-1995
Figure 8. Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Rabbits Used in Research: 1973-1995
Figure 9. Other Animals Used in Research: 1973-1995
Notes are provided for each table to indicate issues or events
affecting reporting requirements. It should be noted that each
year a variable number of research facilities did not submit
reports or submitted reports too late to be included in the
annual report. The data, therefore, does not include all
regulated animals used in research because these late, or
nonreporting, facilities were omitted. This problem decreased
significantly over the past 4 or 5 years because of a concerted
effort by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS), Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (REAC) unit to
improve reporting by research facilities. It should also be
noted that this data does not include birds, rats of the genus
Rattus, or mice of the genus Mus bred for laboratory use, but it
does include wild rats and mice.
The original Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (PL 89-544), passed
August 24, 1966, did not require annual reports be made to USDA.
The Animal Welfare Act of 1970 (PL 91-579) (approved December 24,
1970) required that research facilities report certain
information to USDA, which submits an annual report to Congress
containing specific information not later than March of each
year. The first Animal Welfare Enforcement report to Congress
was in 1973, and annual reports have continued since that time
with several reporting changes along the way. Each of the annual
report tables will be discussed separately.
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Table 1
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Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
The AWA requires the licensing of animal exhibitors, dealers, and
animal auction operators. Registrants are all carriers,
intermediate handlers, exhibitors not subject to licensing, and
non-Federal research facilities. The number of licensees and
registrants for each year are shown in table 1.
Figures 1, 2, and
3 show the number of licensed dealers, exhibitors, and
research facilities from 1973 to 1995 followed by a brief
analysis of each category. Instances that may have affected the
reporting are indicated by numbered notes for that year.
Table 1
Intermediate handlers are people and businesses that handle
animals to and from the airport, during layovers, and between
connecting flights. Handlers receive custody of the animals
during transportation in commerce. Intermediate handlers were
brought under regulation by the 1976 amendments to the AWA.
There were 16 registered intermediate handlers in 1978. This
figure slowly increased to 301 in 1991 and has decreased since
that time to 275 in 1995. Since 1981, the number has fluctuated
between 200 and 300 intermediate handlers. These fluctuations
are most likely due to people going into and out of business for
various reasons.
Table 1
A carrier is a person or enterprise engaged in the business of
transporting animals for hire. Carriers are mostly commercial
airlines. Carriers were brought under regulation by the 1976
amendments to the AWA. In 1978, there were 50 registered
carriers. This figure increased to 145 in 1989 and has steadily
decreased since then to 98 in 1995. This decrease is most likely
due to changes within the industry, airline mergers, or companies
going out of business. Most airlines have sites (cargo and
passenger terminals) at many airports throughout the United
States. Not all of these sites are inspected by USDA.
Inspections by USDA are usually restricted to the larger airports
where animal shipments may begin or terminate and at hub airports
where animals may change flights or airlines.
Table 1
Figure 1
A dealer is any person who buys, sells, negotiates the sale, or
transports regulated animals (live or dead), or parts of
regulated animals for regulated purposes. Retail pet stores, as
defined in the AWA regulations, and people selling domestic pet
animals directly to the pet owner are not included in the
definition of a dealer. There are two classes of dealers: A and
B. Class A dealers are breeders who only sell the animals they
breed and raise. Class B dealers are those who buy and resell
animals, negotiate or arrange for the sale of animals, or deliver
for transportation or transport, animals that are in commerce for
compensation.
In 1973, the first year USDA was required to report to Congress,
there were 4,287 licensed dealers. This figure increased over
the next 2 years to a high of 5,680 in 1975. The number of
dealers then dropped each year to 3,365 in 1984. Since then, the
number of dealers has again risen to 4,400 in 1991 with a slight
decline in 1992 and 1993 to a total of 4,080 in 1995. The
figures have been more or less stable since 1988.
It is difficult to analyze the increase and decrease in the
number of dealers over the years as many factors may be involved.
Based on my 27 years in the Animal Welfare program, the following
factors probably played a significant role in the variations.
The increase from 1973 to 1975 was most likely due to persons
starting business and becoming licensed with the idea of making
money by selling animals with as little expense as possible. The
decrease from 1975 to 1985 was probably due to a combination of
economics and USDA enforcement action against the poorest
dealers. Those dealers with minimal, or substandard, operations
found they could not make sufficient money because of unhealthy
animals and additionally were subject to legal action and
possible penalties from USDA. As the years went by, USDA
increased the number of legal actions and the severity of the
penalties against the dealers who were not in compliance. This
continuous decline in the number of dealers for about 10 years
appears to coincide with enforcement efforts and public concern.
In 1985, the number of dealers started increasing again and has
held fairly steady, in the low 4,000 range, since 1988. It was
about this time that the wholesale pet trade began to organize
because of concerns with poor dealer operations and the
industry's economic future in view of bad publicity it was
receiving. Concerned members of the pet trade succeeded in
organizing and establishing standards for a voluntary,
self-regulation program. This effort continues to grow and
provide a higher quality animal to the pet market. This has very
possibly influenced the stability in the number of dealers since
about 1988. Also, several States in the Midwest have passed
legislation to oversee dealers and have implemented regulatory
programs to improve animal care and housing. These programs, in
conjunction with the AWA and with cooperation between the States
and APHIS, have impacted dealer operations.
Although the dealer category includes people selling animals for
pets, exhibition, research, and auction sales; wild and exotic
animal dealers; and some transporters, most are involved in the
pet trade. The total number of class B dealers has usually
averaged about 25 percent to 30 percent of the total number of
dealers, with less than 100 random source B dealers providing
animals for research purposes. The rest of the B dealers are
involved in the pet trade, wild or exotic animal sales, or
transportation. Most A dealers (or breeders) are involved in the
pet trade, with a small number raising animals for research.
Significant variations in the number of dealers would, therefore,
mostly involve the pet trade.
Table 1
Figure 2
An exhibitor is anyone obtaining, distributing, or transporting
regulated animals in commerce and exhibiting them to the public
for compensation. Most exhibitors meet these requirements and
are required to license with USDA. Those who do not obtain,
dispose of, or transport animals in commerce and who receive no
compensation are registered. Both licensed and registered
exhibitors must comply with the same regulations and standards,
however. Exhibitors are involved in a variety of endeavors such
as municipal or county zoos, roadside and private zoos, theme
parks, marine mammal parks, petting zoos, educational exhibits,
circuses and carnivals, animal acts, and animals used in
television and movie work.
Exhibitors were brought under regulation by the 1970 amendments
to the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act and were included in the
first report to Congress in 1973. There were 286 licensed
exhibitors in 1973. The number of licensed exhibitors has
increased each year since then with 1,937 exhibitors being
licensed in 1995. Some of this increase is due to the regulation
of additional species of animals, such as the regulation of
marine mammals in 1979 and farm animals in 1990. Some of the
increase is due to changing improperly registered exhibitors to a
licensed exhibitor status. Most of the growth, however, has been
due to an increase in animal exhibit facilities and animal acts
being presented to the public for entertainment and enjoyment.
Registered exhibitors totaled 604 in 1973 and reached a high of
752 in 1974. Since that time, registered exhibitors have
steadily decreased each year with a total of 31 in 1995. This is
due to the fact that many exhibitors were improperly registered
in the first couple of years of regulation when they should have
been licensed. Continued review of registered exhibitors by USDA
has resulted in most of them being converted to a licensed
exhibitor status with only a small number qualifying for
registration.
The types of animals involved in the regulation of exhibitors
range from wild rodents and bats to elephants and killer whales.
The total number of exhibitors (both licensed and registered) was
890 in 1973 and 1,968 in 1995, a little over double the number of
exhibitors regulated in 1973.
Table 1
Table 2
Figure 3
A research facility is any person, institution, organization, or
school (except an elementary or secondary school) that uses or
intends to use regulated animals in research, tests, experiments,
or teaching, and that purchases or transports animals in
commerce, or receives Federal funds for carrying out such
research, tests, experiments, or teaching. Research facilities
that use animals include hospitals, colleges and universities,
diagnostic and toxicology laboratories, pharmaceutical companies,
and biotechnology industries. Research facilities are classified
as active or inactive facilities. An inactive facility is one
where no regulated animals are kept or used. The total number of
registered research facilities in 1995 was 1,300 (both active and
inactive). There were an additional 223 Federal research
facilities reporting.
In the first annual report to Congress in 1973, there were 865
registered research facilities. The number of research
facilities increased almost yearly to a high of 1,527 in 1992.
The total dropped to 1,331 in 1993, rose to 1,511 in 1994, then
dropped again slightly to 1,300 in 1995. This is almost a
75-percent increase over the number of registered research
facilities in 1973. A research facility may have only one
animal site or may have more than a dozen animal sites. In 1995,
the 1,300 registered research facilities had 2,688 animal sites.
The almost 75-percent increase in research facilities since 1973
presents an interesting statistic, especially when research
dollars are reportedly becoming harder to obtain. From the
increase in the number of research facilities, one would surmise
that the competition for research funding has significantly
increased, the amount of funding for research has significantly
increased, research has changed to use less expensive methods,
or a great deal more private money is being used for research.
From this data, it is not clear why the number of research
facilities has increased so dramatically but the rapid
developments in biotechnology, medicine, and pharmaceuticals are
good possibilities.
When one looks at the number of research facilities compared to
the total number of animals used in research (excluding birds,
laboratory rats and mice, and cold-blooded species) over the same
period, the data is even more interesting. The total number of
regulated animals used in research is shown in table 2. In 1973,
there were 1,653,132 animals reported used in research, not
counting farm animals, birds, rats, or mice. In 1995, there were
1,395,644 regulated animals reported used in research, including
farm animals but not including birds, rats, or mice. It is
recognized that the actual figures on animal use are not complete
each year because of too-late reports, or because no reports have
been submitted. Because birds, rats, and mice are not included
in the number of animals reported, the numbers of these animals
may have increased while the number of regulated animals showed
little change. There is also some variation in reporting from
year to year for various reasons. Still, the overall trend over
23 years should be fairly valid.
The figures vary up and down over the years but remain fairly
consistent. Why has the number of research facilities shown an
almost 75-percent increase while the total number of animals used
has remained fairly steady? There could be any number of
reasons. In their book The Principles of Humane Experimental
Technique (1959, reprinted in 1992 by the Universities Federation
for Animal Welfare, Herts, England), W.M.S. Russell and R.L.
Burch advanced the concept of the 3Rs--reduction in animal
number, refinement of technique to minimize pain and distress,
and replacement of animal models with nonanimal models. In
current research, the 3R's may be working better than many people
realize. It is also possible that economics may have played a
role in this as well as scientific and technological improvements
within the industry. I will not attempt to offer an answer here,
but only to pose the question. Perhaps some industrious person
will look into this question more thoroughly.
Table 1
The AWA amendments of 1976 required Federal research facilities
to submit an annual report to USDA. The report to Congress for
1976 indicated 40 Federal research facilities reporting for the
period from April 22, 1976, through December 31, 1976. The 1977
report showed 134 Federal research facilities reporting. The
figures vary between about 130 and 160 reporting Federal research
facilities over the next 17 years. In 1994, there were 250
Federal research facilities reporting, with a drop to 223 in
1995. This general increase in the number of Federal research
facilities reporting could be due to several factors: (1) A
concerted effort on behalf of USDA to improve reporting by
research facilities, (2) congressional investigation of research
in the Department of Defense (DoD) in the early 1990's, and (3)
meetings of the Interagency Research Animal Committee (IRAC).
These may all have assisted in improving the reporting by Federal
agencies. The 2 years, 1988 and 1989, show 58 reporting Federal
research facilities. These figures are not correct. The animal
welfare program was removed from USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services
(VS), on September 30, 1988, and established as USDA, APHIS,
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (REAC) on October 1, 1988.
Because of the reorganization, change of responsibility, new
offices and personnel, and new reporting lines, incorrect data
was obtained for these 2 years. The correct figures could not be
obtained for these years. The next 4 years show reporting
Federal research facility numbers about equivalent to the numbers
in preceding years, and a significant increase occurred in
reporting Federal research facilities in 1994 and 1995. The
increased scrutiny of research by Congress, animal rights groups,
and the public, plus efforts by USDA, APHIS to improve facility
reporting, are probably responsible in part for this increase in
reporting Federal research facilities.
Table 3
Figure 4
The number of animals used in pain and distress reporting
categories each year is shown in table 3.
Figure 4 shows the data from 1973 through
1995 followed by a brief analysis of each category. Instances that
may have affected the reporting are indicated by numbered notes for
that year immediately after the table.
The first annual report in 1973 and most of the year of 1974
required only the reporting of the number of "experiments"
involving animals with unrelieved pain or distress. In the
latter part of 1974, research facilities were required to report
the number of animals used involving unrelieved pain or distress
rather than the number of experiments. The data for these 2
years, therefore, is questionable when used with the rest of the
data in table 3. The first year with valid usable data is 1975.
Also, in 1988, APHIS reorganized the animal welfare program by
removing it from Veterinary Services (VS) and placing it in
Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (REAC). In looking at the
figures for 1988, it is apparent that they differ somewhat from
the figures of the previous years and the years following 1988.
The figures may be questionable because of the disruption and
change in reporting, inspection, and recordkeeping procedures
because of the APHIS reorganization. The 1988 figures should,
therefore, be viewed with caution. It should also be remembered
that these figures do not include birds, rats, or mice, and only
include farm animals starting in June of 1990.
Table 3
Figure 4
The data reported in 1973 and part of 1974 was for the number of
experiments involving unrelieved pain or distress to the animals
rather than the number of animals used. In late 1974, research
facilities were required to report the number of animals
subjected to unrelieved pain or distress rather than the number
of experiments. The figures in parentheses in 1973 and 1974
indicate the number of experiments while the other figures
indicate the number of animals. The first entire year for
reporting animals subject to unrelieved pain or distress was
1975. The 1975 annual report indicates 117,756 animals with
unrelieved pain were used in research that year. The following
years show an up-and-down pattern with a low of 89,624 reported
in 1990, a high of 179,187 reported in 1994 and a drop to
123,374 in 1995. The figures show a varied pattern over the
years and, except for a peak of 150,191 in 1978, a general
increase in the number of animals subjected to unrelieved pain or
distress from 1975 to 1985. From 1986 to 1991, there was a
general reduction in the number of animals subjected to
unrelieved pain or distress and then increases in 1992, 1993, and
1994 to a high of 179,187, with a decrease in 1995. The increase
in the number of reported animals used in experiments involving
unrelieved pain or distress in 1993 and 1994 may be due to better
and more standard reporting procedures and an increase in the
number of research facilities reporting on time. There may be
other reasons also, such as a change in the type of research
being conducted, which is not apparent from the data collected.
Additional information is necessary for further analysis. It is
interesting to note that there were not corresponding decreases
in the number of animals subjected to pain or distress that was
alleviated by drugs.
Table 3
Figure 4
In 1979, the annual report contained data on the number of
animals used in potentially painful or distressful procedures in
which the pain or distress was relieved by drugs as well as the
number of animals subjected to unrelieved pain or distress. The
data for 1979 shows 504,790 animals used in potentially painful
or distressful procedures in which the pain or distress was
relieved by drugs. The figures hold fairly steady over the years
except for spikes in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, and 1993. I can
offer no reason for the higher numbers in these years other than
changes in the type of research that was carried out during these
periods or misreporting. Again, more information is necessary to
properly explain these figures.
Table 3
Figure 4
In 1989, the Department began collecting data on the number of
animals used in research projects involving no pain or distress
and no pain-relieving drugs. These figures have held fairly
steady, at about the 1-million range, over the past 7 years, with
the lowest number of 754,712 reported in 1995. There is
insufficient data here to draw any conclusions other than that
the numbers are fairly comparable each year.
Table 2
Figure 5: All Animals
Figure 6: Dogs and Cats
Figure 7: Nonhuman Primates
Figure 8: Guinea Pigs/Hamsters/Rabbits
Figure 9: Other Animals
The number of regulated animals reported used in research is
shown in table 2. Figures 5 through 9 show the breakdown by type
of animal. Instances that may have affected the reporting are
indicated by numbered notes for that year immediately following
the table.
The number of animals used in research has been a controversial
topic for many years. There is little reliable data on the numberof animals used in research other than Animal Welfare
Enforcement, USDA's annual report to Congress. The annual report
figures are not accurate and complete in the number of animals
used in research for the following reasons:
1. The Animal Welfare Act regulates only warm-blooded animals,
and there are some exceptions.
2. Rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the genus Mus, and birds
are not presently regulated or required to be reported.
3. Farm animals were not regulated and reported until June 1990.
4. Annual reports compiled by USDA were not complete in that
some facility annual reports were not received at all or were
received too late to be included in the annual report to
Congress. Significant improvement has been made in this area
over the past several years.
Even with these omissions, the USDA annual report data is the
best available for the numbers of regulated animals used in
research. While definitive conclusions cannot be made from this
data, general trends can be observed from the numbers of animals
reported. Any analysis of the figures on the numbers of animals
used in research should also consider the number of registered
research facilities, which increased from 865 in 1973 to 1,527 in
1992, then decreased to 1,300 in 1995. I do not intend to do a
detailed analysis of these figures, but only to point out general
trends and possible influencing factors. I leave the detailed
analysis to those more capable than I in these matters. Have
fun!
Table 2
Figure 5
This category includes warm-blooded animals used for research
except for rats of the genus Rattus, mice of the genus Mus, and
birds. Additionally, farm animals used for food, fiber, and
other agricultural purposes are not included in these figures.
In 1973, a reported 1,653,345 regulated animals were used in
research with 1,395,463 animals reported used in research in
1995. The figures reported between 1973 and 1995 vary with highs
of 2,074,133 in 1984, 2,153,787 in 1985, and 2,134,182 in 1992.
With the exception of these high years, the rest of the years are
fairly constant in the number of animals used in research with
some fluctuation but within the range of 1 to 2 million.
Overall, the total number of regulated animals used in research
has not significantly increased or decreased in the past 23
years. The increase in the number of registered research
facilities from 865 in 1973 to 1,300 in 1995 poses some
interesting questions. Are more research facilities using fewer
animals each year? Are more research facilities using
nonregulated animals? Have the 3R's had an impact on the number
of animals used? How have economics and increasing costs
affected the number of animals used in research? Not only is it
likely that all these factors have had some impact on the number
of animals used, but additional factors that are not so readily
apparent may be involved. A look at the number of animals used,
by species, may give an indication of what is happening.
Table 2
Figure 6
In 1973, there were 195,157 dogs reported used in research. This
figure stayed in the high 100,000 range until 1985 with peaks of
over 200,000 in 1976, 1979, and 1984. There were 194,905 dogs
reported used in research in 1985. This number then gradually
decreased over the next 10 years to a low of 89,420 dogs in 1995.
The number of dogs used appears to be fairly constant between
1973 and 1985. From 1985 to 1995, the numbers of dogs used for
research continued to decrease. In 1985, the Improved Standards
for Laboratory Animals Act was passed as an amendment to the
AWA. This amendment required research facilities to develop and
carry out a plan to provide for exercise for dogs maintained at
research facilities. It is interesting to note that the decline
in the use of dogs reported used for research follows the passage
of the 1985 amendment to the AWA. During the period just before
1985 and in the years since 1985, there has been increased
concern and pressure from humane and animal rights groups
concerning dogs used in research. Could compliance with the
opportunity for exercise requirement have encouraged research
facilities to review their use of dogs in research and to
eliminate the nonessential use of dogs to reduce compliance
problems and expenses? This decline suggests that the amendment
encouraged implementation of the 3R's and researchers reduced the
number of dogs used by substituting other species or methods. It
is very likely that other factors, such as economics, also played
a role in decreasing the number of dogs used in research since
1985.
Table 2
Figure 6
In 1973, there were 66,195 cats reported used in research. This
figure rose to a high of 74,259 in 1974. From 1975 to 1987, the
number of cats used in research fluctuated in the range of 50,000
to 60,000 except for a rise to 70,468 in 1976. Since 1986, the
number of cats used in research has steadily declined to a low
29,569 in 1995. This 9-year decrease in the number of cats used
in research is similar to the 10-year decrease in the use of
dogs in research. The factors that may have influenced the use
of cats in research are not as strong, or comparable, to the
factors that possibly influenced the use of dogs in research.
There were no special requirements placed on cats by the 1985
amendment as were placed on dogs, so there is no legislative
influence to precipitate such a decline in numbers. Is it
possible that economic factors, the 3R's, and associated
influence from the use of dogs affected the use of cats in
research? The decrease in the number of cats used in research
during the same time period as the decrease in the number of dogs
used may be coincidental, but the time period and decreased
numbers suggest a connection. Whatever the cause, there has been
a significant decrease in the number of cats used in research
since 1973.
Table 2
Figure 7
There were 42,298 nonhuman primates reported used in research in
1973, with 51,253 used in 1974 and a low of 36,202 used in 1975.
From 1973 to 1995 the number of nonhuman primates reported used
in research varied mostly within the range of 40,000 to 50,000
with highs of 59,359 in 1979 and 61,392 in 1987. The 1995 report
indicated 50,206 nonhuman primates used in research. Overall,
the trend in nonhuman primates used in research appears to be
fairly steady. The 1985 amendment to the AWA also required a
physical environment adequate to promote the psychological
well-being of nonhuman primates. This requirement, however, has
not led to a decrease in the number of nonhuman primates used in
research as possibly occurred with the use of dogs. There has
also been concern and opposition from animal protection groups
about use of nonhuman primates in research, but this has
apparently not affected the use of nonhuman primates. There are
also no apparent economic issues that have led to any decrease in
use of nonhuman primates. The data suggests that the type of
research involving nonhuman primates either requires nonhuman
primates as the animal model or that the research involving
nonhuman primates is important enough to continue their use so
that the 3R's have had little applicability. Whatever the
reasons, the number of nonhuman primates used in research has
changed little over the past 22 years.
Table 2
Figure 8
In 1973, there were 408,970 guinea pigs reported used in
research. This figure gradually increased to a high of 598,903
in 1985 and has gradually decreased since 1985 to 333,379 in
1995. From 1973 to 1989, the number of guinea pigs used in
research remained largely in the range of 400,000 to 500,000 with
spikes into the 500,000 to 600,000 range. Since 1990, the number
has decreased. There is no apparent reason for the slight
decrease, but it may be due to the type of research being done,
increased application of the 3R's, or advancement in methods and
technology.
Table 2
Figure 8
There were 454,986 hamsters reported used in research in 1973
with a high of 503,590 in 1976 and a low of 248,402 in 1995.
From 1973 to 1981, the number of hamsters held fairly steady in
the range of 400,000 to 500,000. From 1982 to 1989, the figures
also included the range of 300,000 to 400,000. Although the
numbers vary somewhat from 1990 to 1995, there is a general
downward trend over this 6-year period. The data suggests no
reasons for this slight decrease other than those suggested for
guinea pigs above.
Table 2
Figure 8
There were 447,570 rabbits reported used in research in 1973,
with a high of 554,385 used in 1987 and a low of 354,076 in 1995.
Although use of rabbits has varied from year to year, the trend
has held fairly steady with usage holding in the range of 400,000
to 500,000. The number has held fairly steady over the years
with some variations. The rabbit appears to be the steadiest of
all the animal numbers reported. It could be the species that is
used most in research except for laboratory rats and mice, which
are not regulated or reported at this time.
Table 2
Farm animals were brought under regulation in June 1990, so the
figures for that year may not be complete and may not indicate
the true number of farm animals used in research in 1990. The
data available indicates that the number of farm animals on a
yearly basis would probably be close to the range of 200,000 to
300,000. The 1993 annual report indicated there were 365,233
farm animals used in research. A review of the annual reports by
REAC showed this to be an incorrect figure because nonregulated
animals such as chickens and other birds were reported. The
correct figure for 1993 is 165,416 farm animals used in research
(table 2). There is insufficient data at this time to make any
assumptions on the trend of farm animal use in research.
Table 2 Figure 9
The category of Other Animals covers a broad range of animal
species, from wild rats and mice, squirrels, ferrets, and bats,
to wild, exotic, hoof stock, carnivores, and marine mammals.
There were 38,169 other animals used in 1973, which is also the
lowest number reported, and 126,426 other animals used in 1995.
The 1993 annual report indicated that 677,556 other animals were
used, which is a tremendous increase from 1992 figures and
initiated a review of the report by REAC. The review showed this
figure to be wrong because of the inclusion of nonregulated
animals reported by research facilities in the other animal
category. The correct 1993 figure for other animals used in
research is 212,309 which is shown in table 2. The figures shown
for 1990-1992 are also suspect because of the high numbers
compared to figures for other years. A review was not made of
the 1992 annual report figures for other animals but it is very
likely that many of the nonregulated animals were reported and
inadvertently included in the count for other animals. The
general trend has been a significant increase in the number of
other animals reported used in research since 1973. The increase
in use of these animals may be partly due to the decreased use
of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, and hamsters. It may also be due to
more research being done in the areas of wild animal management
and the fact that some wild animals appear to be good animal
models for certain disease conditions. Whatever the reasons may
be, the use of other animals in research has increased
significantly over the past 23 years.
This article appeared in the Animal Welfare Information Center
Newsletter, Volume 7, Number 2, Summer 1996
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November 1, 1996
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