News

Approaching 95 Years of NAVS

NAVS 95th Anniversary Logo

As we approach 95 years of fighting to advance science without the use of animals, it is important that we take time to reflect on the journey that has brought us here and how it has shaped the work we continue to do today.

Founded in 1929, the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) was born out of a deep conviction that animal experimentation was not only cruel but also scientifically flawed. Spearheaded by George Arliss, Jeanie McCredie Matile, and Clarence E. Richard in Chicago, NAVS’ location was strategic, placing the organization near the American Medical Association—a major proponent of vivisection. This pivotal moment was key to the emerging movement to bring about meaningful change for animals exploited in laboratories.

From its inception, NAVS has remained steadfast in advocating for animals, and the organization has seen major milestones along the way. In 1938, George Arliss, a renowned actor and NAVS co-founder, refused a major movie role to protest John D. Rockefeller’s support of animal research. Such principled stands have always been at the heart of NAVS’ mission, helping to elevate public awareness and sentiment about the ethical and scientific shortcomings of animal experimentation.

Over the decades, NAVS has used strategic media engagement to bring attention to its cause. In 1947, it launched its first advertisements in prominent publications, with a stark headline: “Are We Next, Mr. Vivisector?” These efforts underscored the organization’s ability to challenge the status quo through public dialogue.

By the 1950s, NAVS had grown to thousands of members across the United States, with efforts extending to legal and legislative fronts. In 1955, NAVS exposed the use of dogs in Nevada A-Bomb tests, and in 1956 NAVS led a campaign to prohibit the interstate shipment of cats and dogs for vivisection—a testament to its expanding influence and commitment to protecting animals from cruel experimentation.

The 1960s and 1970s marked significant legislative and grassroots victories. NAVS was instrumental in defeating multiple bills that would have expanded the use of live animals in public schools and helped secure proclamations from five U.S. governors in recognition of “World Day for Animals.” This period also saw the launch of NAVS’ campaign to prevent animals from being used in military chemical warfare tests. That fight later reached the U.S. Senate.

Throughout the 1980s, NAVS took bold new steps to institutionalize alternative methods to animal research. The founding of the International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) in 1985 stands as a landmark achievement, providing vital funding for the development of alternatives to vivisection. This was a direct response to the principles espoused by Dr. William Moy Stratton Russell and Dr. Rex Leonard Burch in The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. IFER’s establishment reflected NAVS’ ongoing commitment to advancing scientific methods that do not rely on animal testing.

NAVS also continued to engage in public education and awareness. In 1987, the organization launched its “Project Chimp” initiative, which sought to halt the exploitation of chimpanzees in research, and produced Military Madness, a report on military-sponsored animal research. These efforts, combined with NAVS’ outreach to students and young advocates through programs like “Animal Kingdom Defenders,” helped to cultivate a new generation of activists and allies.

In more recent years, NAVS has continued to push the boundaries of humane science. The 2000s saw the launch of initiatives like BioLEAP (the Biology Education Advancement Program), aimed at replacing animal dissection in classrooms, and the awarding of the Humane Science Award at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) a prominent display of the organization’s ongoing influence in shaping humane science education. Today, the number of BioLEAP grants has grown by almost 400 percent over the past three years, and NAVS recently awarded the most students it ever has at ISEF – a true marker of the growth in the areas of humane science education.

As NAVS celebrates its 95th anniversary, it reflects on a legacy marked by innovation, perseverance, and dedication to improving the lives of animals. The challenges faced by NAVS over the years—whether combatting military use of animals, advocating for legislative reforms, or promoting the development of non-animal research methods—have only strengthened its resolve.

With public support, NAVS will continue its mission to create a world where animals are no longer exploited for research. Our progress over the past 95 years provides hope that science can evolve to be both ethical and effective, without causing harm to animals.