We all know dogs or cats who were adopted from an animal shelter or rescued by a kind person. But some pets aren’t as fortunate and wind up in the terrifying world of “Class B” dealers, who buy up animals, transport them to holding facilities and then onto laboratories for use in harmful experiments in an often long and stressful journey.
There are currently seven active Class B dealers in the U.S. who round up thousands of dogs and cats each year and sell them to research facilities. They obtain these pets from flea markets, auctions, shelters, and other so-called "random sources," including from shady middle-men known as bunchers, who often resort to outright theft of pets and misrepresentation when responding to free-to-good-home ads.
Undercover investigations by animal protection organizations and inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which licenses Class B dealers) have revealed heartbreaking conditions at Class B dealer facilities, such as undernourished, sick dogs and cats living in filth amidst dead animals, receiving little if any veterinary care, and being abused by handlers.
How You Can Help Dogs and Cats
Check out our list of top ten ways to help animals in laboratories. TAKE ACTION »
News & Events
-
October 24, 2012
Wayne's Blog: 55 Actions to Help Animals and The HSUS
HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle lists 55 things you can do to positively impact animals.
-
October 5, 2012
Wayne's Blog: The 10 Most Important State Laws Enacted for Animals in 2012
HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle lists the 10 most important animal protection bills to pass at the state level so far this year.
-
September 20, 2012
The HSUS Applauds USDA Citations against Dog Dealer, Urges Agency to Permanently Revoke License
The HSUS applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent legal action against R&R Research, a Michigan-based Class B random source dealer of dogs and cats.
-
May 4, 2012
The Humane Society of the United States Applauds the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Dayton for Protecting Pets
The Humane Society of the United States applauds Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota legislature for ending so-called “pound seizure”—the turning over of dogs and cats to laboratories for experimentation—in the state.
Our Victories
-
June 11, 2013
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Could Increase Chimpanzee Protections
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a proposal to protect all chimpanzees under the Endangered Species Act.
-
June 7, 2013
Environmental Protection Agency Releases Policy Recommendations to Reduce Animal Testing
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formalized several policy recommendations designed to reduce animal tests in pesticide safety.
-
May 21, 2013
Alabama Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Alabama legislative session ended on a high note for animals as lawmakers sent HB 27, a bill to strengthen the state’s animal cruelty laws, to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
-
April 19, 2013
Arkansas Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Arkansas State Legislature passed a number of animal protection bills that were signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe this legislative session, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.





