Where do scientists get their animals?
Most scientists use animals that are specially bred for research. The animals most commonly used in research are rats, mice, and other rodents. These animals are bred for research, and scientists purchase them from animal breeders. Small numbers of other animals are used in research including pigs, sheep, other farm animals, dogs, cats, and primates. Dogs, cats, and primates comprise less than 1% of research animals, and there are special rules about obtaining them for research. For example, primates from endangered or threatened species may not be caught from the wild and must therefore come from breeding colonies. The use of dogs and cats in research is governed by the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The AWA requires that those who sell dogs and cats for research must be licensed and requires that research animals be given proper care. According to the USDA, the number of dogs and cats in research in 1996 is 60% lower than in 1973, the first year these statistics were collected. Th
