Last year, NAVS introduced the first-of-its-kind Laboratory Animal Care Audit (LACA), a comprehensive report exposing widespread violations of animal care standards in research laboratories across the United States. The report provides a detailed, fact-based analysis of compliance failures, revealing the harsh realities faced by animals in research environments. The inaugural LACA was published in October 2024, and the second one is set to release to the public very shortly, so stay tuned via our email list and social media channels to be the first to read it!
With a year of compiling the data under our belt, the actual task of sifting through countless reports from labs and turning it into digestible data was easier, but with more data to learn from, the task then shifted towards finding trends in the data.
“While the process of building the Audit hasn’t changed much since last year, what stood out this time was a mounting frustration over enforcement failures,” said NAVS Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy Meredith Blanchard. “The sheer number of repeat offenders—and the fact that so few laboratories faced any meaningful penalties—underscores how broken the system is and how urgently reform is needed.”
Blanchard continued, “Now that we have multiple years of Audit data, we can see that the same laboratories are showing up again and again for the same kinds of violations. This trend highlights that problems like untreated illness, unsanitary housing, and lack of pain relief aren’t isolated incidents—they’re systemic across the industry.”
One of the most glaring trends is decline in discipline levied at research facilities that report violations. In 2023, only 13 of the 90 (14%) facilities examined were fined for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. In 2024, that number was just four out of 78 facilities (5%). This shows a concerning lack of oversight. Facilities that commit violations are incredibly unlikely to receive more than a slap on the wrist, and the fines largely amount to pocket change for companies worth millions or billions of dollars.
At NAVS, we are committed to ensuring that information becomes publicly accessible, and we are doing the hard work of breaking down thousands of complex reports into simple, digestible information. A better-informed public is more equipped to act in a manner that helps our cause and push towards an end to animal suffering in labs.
“The LACA is a tangible outcome of our supporters’ generosity—it transforms dry inspection reports into a powerful tool for change,” said Blanchard. “Every gift helps us shine a light on hidden suffering in labs and hold institutions accountable, proving that donor support directly drives awareness, transparency, and pressure for reform.”
