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Charities highlight plight of ‘hidden’ laboratory animals
The latest figures include animals that were bred in laboratories and later killed for experiments that use their organs and tissues.

New data reveals an extra 1.8 million animals were used in research last year

Animal welfare charities are calling on the UK government to open up animal research to public scrutiny and encourage the use of modern non-animal methods.

The call comes as new government data shows an extra 1.8 million animals were used in research last year. The figure, released under the requirements of the EU Directive on animal experiments, is almost 50 per cent higher than the figure previously reported (3.7 million).

National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) president Jan Creamer said: “This huge and previously unreported increase in animal use signals the urgent need for the UK Government to end the secrecy surrounding animal tests.

“Advanced modern methods are more accurate, relevant and humane, and researchers should be encouraged to adopt their use.”

The NAVS is also calling for licence applications submitted by animal researchers to be made public before their experiments are given the go-ahead, omitting personal or intellectual property.

The latest figures include animals that were bred in laboratories and later killed for experiments that use their organs and tissues. The RSPCA said that animals may have also been bred and killed to maintain breeding colonies.

Dr Penny Hawkins, head of research animals at the RSPCA said the figures provide a far more accurate picture of the true impact of scientific research on individual animals.

“The experiences of these 1.81 million animals who are bred, and killed, as part of the scientific process, have for too long been hidden from view,” she said. “In an era of increased openness and transparency, it is essential that these forgotten animals are recognised, and accounted for, every time data is released on the use of animals in science.

“With this level of impact on lab animals, it has never been more important that the perceived ‘necessity’ for using animals, the validity of these animals as experimental ‘models’, and the standards to which science is carried out and reported, are robustly scrutinised and challenged in every case.

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She continued: “Some may argue that because these animals haven’t been used in actual scientific procedures, they have not suffered. But all have lost their lives and the Home Office itself recognises that even good laboratory conditions of housing and husbandry will compromise the animal’s well-being to some degree.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.