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.
You Can Help
Ask your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Pet Safety and Protection Act, which would put Class B dealers out of business. TAKE ACTION »
Contact research facilities that purchase dogs and cats from Class B dealers and demand that they stop allowing this cruel practice to continue. TAKE ACTION »
Check out our list of top ten ways to help animals in laboratories. TAKE ACTION »
News & Events
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August 29, 2011
Leading the Way on Alternatives to Using Animals in Experiments
HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle discusses developing alternative methods to replace animals in harmful research and testing.
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August 22, 2011
Resolution Presented at International Forum Calling on Research Institutions to Develop Animal Testing Alternatives
A resolution calling for research institutions around the world to develop and publicize strategies to replace, reduce and refine their use of animals in experimentation is being presented for endorsement to attendees at a prominent scientific conference.
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July 27, 2011
Research Institutions Respond to Pressure
In response to pressure from constituent emails generated by an action alert, several institutions have confirmed that they no longer use, or are currently moving away from using, dogs and cats obtained by Class B dealers.
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June 21, 2011
Federal Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Prevent the Theft and Abuse of Pets
The HSUS praises Reps. Mike Doyle, D-Pa. and Chris Smith, R-N.J. for introducing the Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2011 to finally put an end to animal dealers who round up dogs and cats—often stolen pets obtained through fraudulent means—and sell them for experimentation.
Our Victories
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January 20, 2012
Victory in Battle over Monkey-Breeding Facility
Following a highly publicized battle, Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court has ruled that Bioculture’s monkey breeding facility in Guayamna was constructed illegally and cannot operate.
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December 29, 2011
2011: Beautiful Victories for Animals in Laboratories
What do Botox, the Endangered Species Act, and biomedical research have in common? Find out about The HSUS's work to protect animals in laboratories in 2011.
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November 9, 2011
Five Chimpanzees Released from Laboratory Life
Five of the 26 elderly chimpanzees at New Iberia Research Center have been retired to a sanctuary. Please take action to free the 21 elderly chimpanzees who remain there, then help hundreds of other chimpanzees around the country who still suffer.
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October 19, 2011
Great News! The U.S. Army Will Stop Using Monkeys in Harmful Training Courses
The U.S. Army has announced that live monkeys will be replaced with humane non-animal alternatives in future chemical warfare trainings. More than 1,000 HSUS supporters contacted the Army urging that the use of monkeys be stopped.