It can be tempting to acquire a hamster on impulse. After all, these little guys are the picture of cuteness: small, round, furry, and inquisitive. A great starter pet, right? Not at all! Here are some important questions to consider before you dive headlong into a relationship. Learn More About...
Some people might consider hamsters , guinea pigs and other small mammals as starter pets: tools to teach their children—many of whom have begged for a furry friend—responsibility. But while these animals can help kids develop respect and appreciation for all animals, parents should still have...
Most cages marketed for guinea pigs are way too small. Guinea pigs need appropriate room to roam, with separate spaces for a nest, bathroom area and food and water. No animal is meant to live in a cage all the time, so make sure to provide your pig with time outside their enclosures at least once a...
Turtles may seem like low-maintenance pets, but those about to rush out and bring one home should consider that they require years (sometimes decades) of specialized care. Turtles can also transmit disease. Like all wildlife, these reptiles belong in their natural habitats. Adopt, don't shop Small...
Guinea pigs have a lot of appealing qualities: They're small, gentle and personable, just to name a few. Like all companion animals though, they require special care and attention. Here are some important questions to consider before adopting a guinea pig: Where should you get a guinea pig? Instead...
Are animal experiments being conducted in your city/state or at your university or alma mater? Use the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s public search tool to find out! The Animal Welfare Act requires facilities in the U.S. that conduct experiments* on certain animals** to register with the...
Editor's note: Shortly after this issue went to press, Mexico banned animal testing for cosmetics . We've updated the number of countries with such bans in the copy below. When Julia Fentem began her career in toxicology around 1990, there was one government-sanctioned way of proving cosmetics...
Thanks to widespread pet vaccinations, effective post-exposure treatment and the relative rarity of undetected bites by rabid animals, the number of human deaths from rabies in the United States caused has declined to an average of only one or two per year—far less than the number of human...
Gerbils can be good starter pets for children eight and up and families without a lot of space. They are energetic, usually friendly, seldom bite and love exploring. They aren’t for everyone, though. Here are questions to answer before you decide to get gerbils and tips on how to go about it.
Contents How many animals are used in experiments each year? Which animals are used in experiments? What kinds of experiments are animals used in? What kinds of institutions use animals in experiments? Where do laboratories get the animals they use in experiments? What is life like for animals in...
