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AARF Act Will Stop FDA from Testing on Dogs - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up! To PA Representative Brendan Boyle for introducing a bill that would end dog testing.

November 19, 2020

Last week, Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA) introduced a bill in Congress that could change the lives of thousands of dogs trapped in research facilities across the United States. The Alternatives to Animals for Regulatory Fairness (AARF) Act, H.R. 8736, would allow sponsors of new pharmaceuticals to find alternative and humane drug testing methods. Currently, the FDA requires animal testing on all pharmaceuticals. In essence, the AARF Act would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and help phase out unnecessary and cruel animal testing on drugs meant for humans.

Take Action: Please call or write to your representatives and implore them to cosponsor HR. 8736, The Alternatives to Animals for Regulatory Fairness Act to save the helpless animals trapped in laboratories across the United States!

Below are some facts and figures about animal testing in the United States, as well as testing alternatives and how you can help animals subjected to testing.

Animals Used

  • An estimated 50 to 100 million vertebrates are used annually, including over 20 million mice and rats, in laboratory experiments in the United States.
  • Other animals used in laboratory experiments include primates, dogs, pigs, cats, sheep, and rabbits.
  • Many of these animals are supplied by Class A Dealers, that is, business that breed dogs and other animals specifically for experimentation; others are acquired from Class B dealers, that is, brokers who sell animals to laboratories after acquiring them from animal shelters and other sources.
  • Because of their compact size and docile temperament, beagles are the most common breed of dog used in laboratory research.

How Animal Testing Is Performed

  •  Draize test: Liquid chemicals are placed directly in the eye to estimate the ability of a test substance to irritate or damage the eye. Rabbits are most often used in this test. The animals are given no pain relievers and their heads are normally held in a stock.
  • Skin irritant: Chemicals are placed on raw or shaved skin without the use of anesthetic. Substances may be corrosive and leave open wounds.
  • Oral toxicity: Animals are force-fed chemicals often to the point of death in order to ascertain lethal doses.
  • LD50 (lethal dose 50 percent): The purpose of this test is to estimate the dose of a substance needed to kill half a group of test animals.

Alternatives to Animal Testing

  • Instead of using animals, some scientists use human tissue generated in a lab.
  • Eliminating redundancy would reduce the number of animals needed for testing. Too many tests are replications of tests already conducted and offer no new information.
  • Many companies use of product ingredients that are already know to be safe for human use.

Ways You Can Help Laboratory Animals

  • Support legislation to require stricter regulation and enforcement of animal testing, including protecting all animals subject to consumer product and medical testing.
  • Only buy personal care and household products that did not employee new animal testing. Visit www.leapingbunny.org to find companies that do and do not test their products on animals.
  • Contact companies that test their products on animals and let them know you will no longer buy their products.
  • Order the free NHES brochure “Animal Experimentation and Dissection” to distribute in your community.
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9 responses to “AARF Act Will Stop FDA from Testing on Dogs”

  1. Edward Hart says:

    This is evil. I do not want my tax dollars used to torture any animal. The fact that this occurs is very disturbing. I had no idea there were so many people without kindness or decency – so many monsters who would torture an innocent helpless being so that the other monsters they work for can increase their already obscene level of wealth. This is despicable and a national shame. I want every legislator to pass the AARF Act immediately we need stronger laws against animal abuse – both in laboratories, medical schools, farms and all domestic animals and pets.

  2. Laurie Goodman says:

    Thank you so much for posting information about this bill.

    H.R. 8736 is currently pending before the House of Representatives – we all need to contact our congressmen and women and ask them to cosponsor the bill. It’s easy – you can Google who your Congress men and women are and call them.

    These innocent creatures need our help they have no one else to speak for them.

    Thank you NHES for posting information about this wonderful Bill on your site!

  3. I rescue and adopt beagke that come out of a lab in Denver. They are skiddish but so loving and just need loving homes. If they are not resuced, they are euthanized and thrown away like trash no matter the age. This is evil at its worst! How any human being can possibly do this to such trusting and loyal animals is sick and insane. I adopt from The Kindness Ranch who rescue these beagles in batches. God Bless them and the NHS for fighting for and saving countless lives!

  4. Please save all of the animal’s.
    I pray everday for all the abuse & torture stops.
    I don’t know how any human being could ever hurt a defenseless animal. IT HAS TO STOP.
    GOD WILL HANDLE those evil people one day for what they have done.
    GOD BLESS ALL PRECIOUS ANIMAL’S.
    He put them hear to be loved!!! Not hurt.

  5. Pat Dorman says:

    It is Oct 22 2022 What can we do now update me pleasw

  6. Brigitte says:

    this needs to stop now should never been doing this these poor babies I am so mad omg stop this now who do we need to contact…… this makes me sick

  7. Amanda Bartley says:

    This needs to stop and taxpayers should not be funding this cruelty and abuse! Our elected officials need to make sure this disgusting animal abuse is stopped.

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