How Many Animals Are Used In Research- A Deep Look At The United States & Canada (Faunalytics)

In this resource, we explore trends in the number of animals used in research in the United States and Canada, based on data tracked by government and nonprofit agencies for the past several decades.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize species that are used in the most painful procedures (categories D and E), which include fish, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and pigs.
• Leverage the lack of human applicability in basic research to demand a phase-out of invasive procedures on these species.
• Leverage peaks of animal use to highlight opportunities for change.
• Demand more transparency from these agencies, specifically calling for mandatory, publicly accessible, and species-specific data on all animal use.
• Expose this often-overlooked connection- animal agriculture and animal testing are deeply intertwined.
• Point to the stark difference between U.S. and Canadian animal research use to pressure policymakers to reduce animal use.
• Feel emboldened by the fact that public opinion is on your side.

Conclusion

While some progress has been made in promoting non-animal alternatives, the continued reliance on animals—often with limited transparency—underscores the need for stronger advocacy and policy reform in Canada and the United States. A closer look at the data makes these shortcomings clear: certain species are disproportionately subjected to the most painful procedures, basic research contributes to a large volume of animal research, and oversight from both the CCAC and the USDA leave major gaps in accountability. By focusing on the species and procedures where harm is most concentrated, and by demanding transparency, advocates in both Canada and the U.S. can push for meaningful reductions that are both scientifically defensible and publicly supported.