The Humane Society of the United States is convinced that the surrender of impounded animals from public and private shelters to biomedical research laboratories, training institutions, pharmaceutical houses, and other facilities that use animals for experimental teaching or testing purposes contributes to a breakdown of effective animal-control programs through abandonment of animals by owners who rightfully fear such animals may be subjected to painful use.

The HSUS believes that animals shelters should not be a cheap supply source for laboratories or pursue, voluntarily or otherwise, a practice that will inevitably destroy public confidence in its operation and thereby lessen public support.

It is, therefore, the policy of The HSUS to oppose the release of impounded animals from public and private animal shelters to biomedical research laboratories or related animal-using facilities, and to oppose any measure, administrative or legislative, that would make this practice mandatory. Further, we condemn any organization, calling itself a humane society or a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, that voluntarily sells or gives animals in its custody to biomedical research laboratories.