Use of Live Animals to Develop Non-Surgical Contraceptives

Development of contraceptive products for cats and dogs will require trials on cats and dogs. Safety and efficacy could not be established without such use. Additionally, data from trials of a formulation in the target species is required for regulatory approval. However, it is possible to limit use of live animals to cases in which it is truly necessary and to ensure humane treatment of any animals involved.

ACC&D embraces the principles of the three R’s: Reduce, Refine, and Replace. Where animals must be used in studies, ACC&D believes the use of animals should conform to the well-defined animal use guidelines developed by the Found Animals Foundation for their Michelson Prize & Grants Program, currently the primary source of funding for research on non-surgical sterilant technologies for cats and dogs.

ACC&D has also convened experts and invested significant time in creating tools to help field projects and research be conducted ethically. Visit our ethical decision-making project page to access practical guidance & toolkits on ethical decision-making and considerations for field projects targeting dogs and cats.

For ACC&D’s full position on the involvement of live animals in research to develop long-acting contraceptives and non-surgical sterilants for dogs and cats, read our position statement.