There has been a monumental development from the CDC, first reported by Science: scientists at the CDC have been told to phase out all of their research on nonhuman primates.
While this is a major breakthrough in our mission to get every animal out of research and testing, it now leaves hundreds of animals vulnerable to being euthanized or moved to other research centers rather than being allowed to move to sanctuary care. We must be clear: this progress must not come at the expense of animals who have been forced to endure years of confinement and experimentation.
“The CDC’s decision marks an extraordinary step toward a future where science no longer depends on animal suffering. Yet this momentum must extend to the animals still in their care,” said NAVS Director of Policy and Advocacy Meredith Blanchard. “We can hold two truths at once: this is a win worth celebrating, and it is also a moment that demands compassion and accountability. Our priority now is making sure every primate affected by this shift is given the opportunity to live out their life in sanctuary.”
As we have spoken about recently, we are at a Crossroads. There is a tangible window open and progress at the federal level has been consistent in ways we have never seen. It is of the utmost importance that this progress does not go with the political wind as many commitments and announcements have in the past. We must continue to use the tools at our disposal – including our continued investment in innovative non-animal methods – to ensure that this momentum remains and that we continue to build upon it rather than let this opportunity slip away. Thanks to decades of advocacy, we now have a real chance to turn this momentum into lasting progress that reshapes the future of research – one that relies on human-relevant models rather than animals.
Simply sharing this news and our views on it with you, our supporters, is helpful for education’s sake and to ensure our community stays informed, but without action, our words feel hollow. So, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to assisting sanctuary organizations to make sure they are equipped to provide these nonhuman primates with lives of enrichment and compassion. In fact, we recently issued a grant to NAPSA (the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance) to support the work of their Placement Task Force, which is working to strengthen and improve placement outcomes for primates and prepare for large scale releases like this one from the CDC.
This CDC announcement is great for our cause, but not if it means the euthanasia of these animals. Bottom line, we will do everything we can to ensure that our partners in sanctuary care have the tools needed to help these animals. You can also use your voice right now by asking the head of the CDC to send the primates to sanctuary in our Advocacy Center. Every act of support or advocacy makes a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals.
We are operating in a fluid world that changes each day, and we must remain steadfast in our mission while also being ready to adjust to new developments. We would not be able to do both without your unwavering support. Thank you for allowing us to approach this complex problem with nuanced, layered solutions and for never giving up in the face of a centuries-old system.
