Ensure animals get Better CARE; The Science Bank; love for Spencer the chimpanzee
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTSAugust 2025
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Science magazine covers AAALAC analysis by Rise for Animals as well as impact of AAVS bird lawsuit
Note: The coverage of this story in our August 30 email was sent by mistake and inaccurately stated that the AAALAC analysis reported on by Science magazine was the work of AAVS. That analysis was conducted by Rise for Animals, not AAVS. We apologize for this error. We applaud Rise for Animals for their leadership on the AAALAC analysis.
On August 19, Science magazine published a damning story about the challenges facing the USDA regarding oversight of animal experimentation, and quoted AAVS Senior Policy Advisor Eric Kleiman. The issues range from a doubling of facilities covered under the AWA since 2018, to a precipitous drop in the number of inspectors (down to 77). As Science reported, these facts are combined with the addition of an entirely new biological class of animals—birds—now under the purview of the USDA because of the lawsuit filed by AAVS and the Avian Welfare Coalition. This successful lawsuit has resulted in AWA coverage of over 63,000 birds not bred for experimentation whom labs used in experimentation, or held for such use, in 2024. As one USDA source told Science, coverage of birds—which number “more than dogs and cats combined”—“was a seismic shift.” An upcoming article in our print magazine will delve into this issue further.
Science also reported on a damning analysis conducted by Rise for Animals of over 14,000 USDA inspection reports since 2014, and USDA fines levied since late 2019. Rise for Animals focused on a comparison of direct and critical citations—the two most serious types of citations, which both adversely affect animal welfare—between research facilities that were accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, and those that weren’t. AAALAC is overwhelmingly funded by the animal experimentation industry.
As Science reported, the Rise for Animals analysis showed “although AAALAC-accredited research facilities account for just 42% of all inspected facilities, they received 73% of the two most serious types of USDA citations in that time period, as well as 78% of all fines issued by APHIS from late 2019 to mid-2024.”
Science also discussed animal advocates’ concerns that AAALAC had also given a “clean bill of health” to Envigo, which operated a dog breeding facility in Virginia where 4,000 beagles were removed due to gross violations of the AWA. In June 2024, the company pleaded guilty to the crime of conspiring to violate the AWA, following an investigation by the Department of Justice and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Science linked to Envigo’s timeline—published when it pleaded guilty to that crime last year—that showed that AAALAC had inspected Envigo in February 2022, found no issues requiring correction, and recommended full accreditation. Three months later, DOJ and Virginia seized 446 dogs in “acute distress,” which led to the shuttering of the facility, Envigo’s adopting out 4,000 beagles, and the company’s guilty plea for conspiring to violate the AWA.
The analysis by Rise for Animals is more relevant than ever because, as Science reported, there are concerns from animal advocates as well as a former head of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Kevin Shea, that the USDA will delegate even more regulatory responsibility to AAALAC, given how few inspectors the agency now has. In 2019, the USDA implemented in secret an inspection policy that neutered inspections at accredited labs. Rise for Animals and the Animal Legal Defense Fund later sued the USDA over this policy.
While AAALAC did not respond to repeated requests by Science for comment, a representative at the pro-animal research group Americans for Medical Progress admitted that AAALAC accreditation is “not a magic guarantee that nothing will ever go wrong.”
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Other News
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ACT TODAY! Stronger Protection for Animals Needed
Millions of animals still needlessly suffer in labs, breeding facilities, and roadside zoos. The USDA is tasked with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, which requires basic care standards, but has repeatedly failed to do so. However, the Better CARE for Animals Act, currently before Congress, would strengthen the AWA and help protect animals by giving the Department of Justice the authority to take legal action. Animals should not suffer because the USDA cannot do its job. Contact your federal legislators today!
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Get Back to School with The Science Bank!
With summer ending, it’s time to make sure that the students in your life are ready to have a compassionate school year, and The Science Bank is the best go-to resource for humane science education! From augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology to realistic physical models like the new dissectible Kind Frog, you’ll find everything needed to replace traditional animal dissection. Plus, the Animalearn staff are always available to provide support, if needed.
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SANCTUARY MOMENTSave the Chimps
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Spencer Overcomes Suffering in Research
Born at the notorious Coulston Foundation, Spencer was taken from his mother right after birth and raised by humans in the laboratory nursery. When he was just 18 months old, he was used in a study that involved repeated biopsies of his liver, and he was used again in at least two other invasive experiments before he was rescued in 2002 by Save the Chimps. This Florida sanctuary consists of several island habitats that house more than 200 chimps, and it is a longtime recipient of AAVS sanctuary grants.
The day Spencer was released to his island home was the first time he ever set foot on grass, having only known a world full of concrete and steel. Today, he lives in a family of 20 chimpanzees where he can run through grass, roll down hills, and climb in trees.
Despite his painful start in life, Spencer has shown amazing resiliency and has formed strong bonds with his caregivers, who clearly love him. "Spencer always makes me feel very loved,” says one of his caregivers, Skye. “He gives me the same enthusiastic greeting whether he hasn't seen me in a week or if I've just stepped next door for 5 minutes. He's one of those chimps you can always count on to brighten your day."
We couldn’t be happier for Spencer! You can meet his chimpanzee friends at Save the Chimps by visiting their social media. Be sure to check it out!
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American Anti-Vivisection Society
801 Old York Road, Suite 204 | Jenkintown, PA 19046-1611
[email protected] | 800.SAY.AAVS
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