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The USDA documented a number of owned pets at the R&R Research facility, some of whom were sold to research facilities.© iStock.com |
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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) applauds the Montcalm County, Michigan Board of Commissioners for voting on April 27 to end the practice of providing dogs and cats to
R&R Research, an animal broker that sells them to research facilities.
R&R Research is licensed as a Class B dealer by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Class B dealers purchase and collect animals from random sources — such as shelters, auctions, flea markets and individuals — and sell them to laboratories for experimentation. Some Class B dealers have been caught receiving stolen animals or fraudulently obtaining animals, including pets.
"The HSUS applauds Montcalm County for moving away from the outmoded practice of providing companion animals to ultimately be used for research," said Jill Fritz, The HSUS Michigan state director. "This will help restore the community's trust in the Montcalm County Animal Shelter and protect animals from potentially inhumane conditions."
Educational institutions are phasing out the use of non-human animals and instead are teaching surgical skills by relying on donated human cadavers, models and participation in surgeries on needy animals.
Updated April 30, 2009
