For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported the number of birds used in research, testing, and teaching that are not purpose-bred for research—a significant step toward greater transparency in animal experimentation.
NAVS is proud to be among the first organizations to compile and analyze the newly released 2025 USDA Annual Reports, helping make this complex information accessible to advocates, policymakers, researchers, and the public.
The latest data show that 770 research facilities reported keeping or using 830,136 animals for research, testing, or teaching purposes in 2025, down from 852,119 animals reported in 2024. This represents a 2.5% decrease in the total number of reported animals used nationwide.
While any reduction is encouraging, these reports still provide only a partial picture of animal use in U.S. laboratories. Federal reporting requirements continue to exclude mice, rats, fish, cold-blooded animals, invertebrates, purpose-bred birds, and other species that collectively make up the vast majority of animals used in research and testing.
Why These Numbers Matter
At NAVS, we believe transparency is essential to advancing humane, human-relevant science.
Each year, our team reviews hundreds of facility reports to identify trends in animal use, track progress, and highlight areas where reform is still urgently needed. Public access to this information helps inform policy discussions, supports advocacy efforts, and underscores the importance of investing in non-animal research methods that can better predict human outcomes while reducing animal suffering.
As federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increase their focus on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), these annual reports provide an important benchmark for measuring progress toward reducing reliance on animals in science.
2025 Animal Use: By the Numbers
In total, 830,136 animals were reported in 2025.
By species:
- Other mammals: 144,982
- Guinea pigs: 125,160
- Rabbits: 108,219
- Nonhuman primates: 106,466
- Birds: 87,990
- Hamsters: 64,958
- Pigs: 63,200
- Other farm animals: 52,293
- Dogs: 41,105
- Sheep: 23,330
- Cats: 12,433
Animal use declined in nearly every reportable category compared to 2024.
Some of the most notable decreases included:
- Hamsters: down 10% (-7,230 animals)
- Guinea pigs: down 6.2%
- Other farm animals: down 4.4%
- Dogs: down 3%
- Rabbits: down 2.6%
However, two categories saw increases:
- Nonhuman primates: up 2.5% to 106,466 animals
- Cats: up 8.3% to 12,433 animals
The increase in nonhuman primate use is particularly concerning given growing recognition of the scientific limitations, ethical concerns, and high costs associated with primate experimentation.
A Small but Meaningful Reduction in Unrelieved Pain
One of the most troubling statistics contained in the USDA reports is the number of animals subjected to painful or distressing procedures without pain-relieving medication.
In 2025, 49,293 animals were reported in USDA Category E—the classification for animals that experienced pain or distress during experiments and were not provided pain relief because it would have interfered with the study.
While still far too high, this represents a decrease from 56,601 animals reported in 2024.
Every animal subjected to unrelieved pain represents a serious welfare concern and reinforces the need to accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal research methods that can provide scientifically relevant results without causing suffering.
Which Facilities Reported the Most Animals?
Charles River Laboratories in Massachusetts once again reported using more animals than any other facility in the country, with 43,346 animals reported in 2025—nearly identical to the 43,323 animals reported the previous year.
Among colleges and universities, the University of Louisiana reported the highest number of animals used, with 13,008 nonhuman primates.
These figures underscore the continued scale of animal use within both commercial and academic research settings.
Looking Ahead
Although the overall decline in reported animal use is encouraging, more than 830,000 animals remain captured in the USDA’s annual reporting system—and countless others are excluded entirely due to gaps in federal reporting requirements.
NAVS remains committed to advancing policies, technologies, and scientific approaches that reduce and ultimately replace the use of animals in research and testing.
Recent investments by federal agencies in organoids, microphysiological systems, computational modeling, and other NAMs signal a growing recognition that human-relevant science can provide better outcomes for both people and animals.
We are hopeful that these efforts will continue to drive animal use numbers downward in 2026 and beyond.
“More than 106,000 nonhuman primates and nearly 50,000 animals subjected to unrelieved pain remain unacceptable,” said NAVS Director of Advocacy and Policy Meredith Blanchard. “With federal agencies increasingly embracing human-relevant, non-animal approaches, we hope the next generation of USDA reports will show a much steeper decline in animal use and a faster transition away from animal experimentation.”
NAVS will continue to monitor these annual reports, advocate for greater transparency, and support the development and adoption of innovative alternatives that move science beyond animal testing.
