Cats are the most popular companion animal in New Zealand, with 41% of households sharing their home with at least one cat.1 The love and connection we have with these animals are reflected in the comparatively low number of cats used in research, testing and teaching and how they are used.
Many studies involving cats aim to improve their health and comfort in our homes, like surveying their humans to find risk factors for cats becoming overweight.2 However, some cats are still harmed for science; for example, wild cats are used in harmful ways for research aimed at trying to protect native wildlife.
Note: Cats living in the wild are often referred to as feral cats, but we will refer to these animals as wild cats.
Cats have been used in research, testing and teaching in various ways - from non-harmful to cruel and invasive methods. Most cats used for research, testing and teaching purposes are used for basic biological and veterinary research. They are also used in teaching, environmental management and more.
Cats in NZ have been used for:
- Testing pet food formulations.
- Veterinary research, including testing medications for feline diseases, studying disease symptoms and ways of diagnosis (like FIV, tooth decay, and cancer) and researching cat behaviour and health.
- Environmental management, including testing toxic bait and traps, studying wild cat behaviour, optimising management methods (like killing trapped cats) and training staff to handle wild cats.
- Teaching veterinary and vet nurse students basic concepts like animal handling and basic clinical/husbandry skills.
Places that use cats for science in NZ include private companies, universities, and polytechnics.
Cats used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units, the wild (captured) and other public sources.*
*According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, public sources include: Public donations, animals obtained from a pound, a pet shop or other public sources. This includes companion animals who are used for the duration of the exercise (e.g. veterinary nurse training).
Discover real-life examples of how cats have been used in NZ below!
Testing a new papillomavirus vaccine
Adult colony cats were injected with a new vaccine or a control solution. Regular skin swabs and blood samples were taken.
Testing the effect of dietary fibre in cat food
Cats received three diets for three weeks each. Food intake was measured daily, and urine and faeces were collected for the last 5 days each time.
Determining how common E. coli is in pets
Rectal swaps were taken from cats and dogs presented at veterinary clinics, and their caregivers filled out a questionnaire.
Tracking and killing wild cats
Wild-caught cats were used to train sedation and collar fitting before being killed. Another group of cats was fitted with GPS collars for one year before being tracked down and shot.
Scoring the body condition of colony cats
The body condition score of 101 cats was determined, adding to routinely collected body weight data from the breeding colony.
Testing new toxin at Ngatapa Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Testing a possum poison for other animals’ safety
Dogs, chickens and wild-caught cats were fed dead possum. Once they got used to eating this, they were fed possums killed with sodium nitrite, and signs for poisoning were monitored.
Testing nutritional value of new pet food
Cats and dogs were fed a test diet exclusively for several months. Some adults are kept in metabolic chambers for 10 days, and blood samples are taken at the end.
Testing new toxin at Toronui Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Surveying caregivers on their cats’ personality
Cat caregivers in Australia and New Zealand filled in an online survey about their cats’ personality traits.
Training staff in wild cat handling
Wild cats are trapped and used to train staff in handling, sedation and collar fitting before they are killed.
Sampling cats’ saliva for feline autoimmune disease
Buccal swabs (inside the cheek) were collected from all cats in three British Shorthair breeding catteries.
Measuring vitamins in blood samples
Blood samples were taken from colony cats of different ages.
Collecting blood plasma for tests
Colony cats are switched from wet food to dry food for two days. Blood samples are taken before and after.
Testing a breathing mask on cats and dogs
Cats and dogs were held down tightly and fitted with face masks. Their breathing was measured for a while.
Testing pain medication with lasers
Colony cats were put into small chambers, and a laser was pointed at a shaved skin patch. The influence of medication on their reaction time was measured.
Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves
Lambs and calves were treated against parasites and then infected with worm eggs. Infection status was monitored. This was repeated several times before all sheep were killed.
Testing a fertility treatment
Cows with fertility problems were treated with hormones for ten days or left untreated. All were then artificially inseminated.
Testing a supplement for more calcium intake
Pregnant cows were fed with or without a specific feed additive. After birth, all were fed the same diet. Blood samples were taken in the weeks around birth.
Checking endometritis rates in dairy herds
Some cows in several dairy herds were selected, and their vaginal discharge was measured and sampled. They were then impregnated as per standard agricultural practice.
Comparing weight gain with different diets
Newborn calves were raised on various milk, pasture, and pellets combinations. They were slaughtered at two years old, and their “quality” was measured.
Testing pain meds for disbudding
The horn buds of young calves who were slightly sedated were burned off with a hot iron. Half of them received pain meds beforehand, and blood samples were taken before and after. After 24 hours, the second group received pain meds, too.
Studying Ikeda infection and treatment
Regular blood samples were taken from cows on three different farms. Only some were treated against the parasite. Milk production and fertility were recorded.
Studying diarrhea infection
New mother cows had blood samples taken. If the sample was negative for a diarrhoea virus, they were sampled again after a while.
Studying genes for body size
Udders of dairy cows were slightly cut with a scalpel, and a tissue sample was taken with a biopsy needle.
Testing toxicity of a potential new fertiliser
Pigs were fed toxic bait and monitored until they died.
Studying stress around birth
Blood samples were taken from cows with a high or low risk of health concerns after birth.
Studying genetics of a missing tail
Cloned foetuses were implanted into female cattle to research taillessness. Some of them were killed during pregnancy to examine the foetuses. One tailless animal was killed at age 4, and one of the cloned calves died after birth.
Studying Ikeda (parasite) infection
Blood samples were taken from dairy cows and their calves directly after birth before separating them. After four months, the calves were sampled again.
Studying Osteoporosis in cows
Young female cattle who had given birth for the first time were sent to slaughter. Half of them had broken bones for between 2 and 10 days. Blood samples were taken before slaughter, and bones were collected after.
Testing a tuberculosis vaccine
Male calves were infected with bacteria. Two groups were vaccinated before or after the infection, and the third group was left untreated. All were killed and dissected 13 weeks later.
Testing feeding plans for better immunity after calving
Pregnant cows were fed either a bit too much or a bit too little. Blood samples were taken before, at, and after calving. Researchers also took liver samples with a 20-cm biopsy needle and vaginal samples with a small brush and a scoop at these dates, except for the date of birth.
Testing if blackcurrant extract is toxic for dogs
Dogs are given blackcurrant pills for several days. The number of pills increases over time up to 60 tablets. Their health is monitored.
Practising first aid on working dogs
The 2-day course involved training students with mannequins, placing an IV catheter in the handler's dogs (dogs were lightly sedated), a live demo and practical exercises on anaesthetised sheep that would killed afterwards.
Testing intermittent fasting
Dogs will be fed three different ways for one week each. A high carb diet twice a day, a high carb diet every two days, and a high fat, low carb diet every two days. Each dog will have 12 blood samples taken throughout the study.
Testing the fitness level of police dogs
Police dogs are fitted with a catheter for a whole week and get infused with a marker solution. They are fitted with an activity measuring collar and regularly have blood sampled.
Testing how sensitive some dog breeds are to pain
Dogs were tested for their pain threshold by having a disk the size of a coin placed onto one of their forelegs. This disc could be heated up remotely. Several tests with 10-minute breaks in-between were performed, where the disk temperature was raised until the dog showed signs of pain. Almost half the dogs showed burn marks after testing.
Testing what dogs prefer to eat
Dogs are fed three different diets (either high fat, high carb, or high protein) over 28 days once a day. The dogs are offered each of the three diets at once and in high quantities. Regular stool samples are taken. Blood samples are taken from dogs that have been fasted (18 hours with no food).
Studying how long morphine affects dogs
Dogs scheduled to have ovaries and uterus removed at a teaching clinic are used. Premedication, including morphine, is given 45min before the surgery. Dogs are fasted for 12 hours and water is withheld for about 1 hour before surgery. Blood samples are taken regularly for 4 hours.
Studying the influence of diet on working farm dogs
Dogs working on farms are fed either a premium diet or a standard "home-kill plus tux" diet. All dogs have a collar to measure activity. Body weight, condition, and blood samples are recorded regularly for a year.
Testing a new biomarker
For regular blood samples over nine weeks, dogs are fasted overnight at the lab and returned to their owners the next day until the following sampling.
Studying if farm dogs are overworked
A glucose sensor is stuck between the dog's shoulder blades and sutured in place before a bandage is stapled over it. After being fasted, each dog is studied on glucose levels and activity for two days.
Testing different methods for skin sampling
Samples from the skin of dogs are taken in different ways: plucking hair with the roots, sellotape strips pressed down and ripped off several times, acetone-soaked cotton buds and solvent washes.
Testing nausea in dogs with different anaesthesia
Dogs who are about to have surgery are given different combinations of anti-nausea drugs to test the effects.
Testing a breathing mask on cats and dogs
Cats and dogs were held down tightly and fitted with face masks. Their breathing was measured for a while.
Learning when anaesthesia is lethal
The anaesthesia of pound dogs was gradually increased to dangerous levels. Students also practised taking blood samples, placing catheters and giving blood transfusions to the dogs, all while a teacher supervised.
Testing a gene therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis
Newborn puppies are genotyped and divided into treatment groups. Some are left untreated. Some are injected with potential medication. The injection is into the neck vein or into the liver vein. For that, puppies are anaesthetised, have their belly cut open and the drug injected into the liver vein. All puppies are killed after regular blood and one spinal fluid sample.
Refining treatment for a (human) genetic disorder
Puppies with the genetic disorder MPS IIIA were treated with enzymes injected directly into the spinal fluid near the brain. Treatment was done until 22 -24 weeks old and varied in dose and frequency. In the end, the puppies were killed for dissection.
Using fish to study the impacts of Climate Change
Fish were either bought or caught and killed so that they could be dissected.
Overfeeding Zebrafish to learn about obesity
Normal and transgenic zebrafish were fed normally or way too much. The fish were taken out of the water for glucose tests and blood samples.
Studying gut bacteria in fish
Nine fish were caught by underwater spearing and killed so that samples could be collected from their digestion tracts.
Studying the sleep of sharks
Sharks were caught and kept in outside tanks. For the experiments, they weren't fed for at least 4 days, of which they spent 3 days in a measuring chamber not much bigger than the shark. Oxygen consumption and behaviour were continuously recorded for the last 24 hours.
Infecting fish larvae as a potential model for humans
Zebrafish larvae were injected with bacteria to test how their immune system responds. This was repeated to test how well the immune system reacted and how long the effect lasts.
Finding a “growth gene” in snappers
Snappers were caught from the wild and bred. Around eighty-thousand of their offspring were hatched and raised. At regular “grading” events, injured and deformed fish were disposed of. At just under a year old, around twenty-two-thousand were left and transported to a sea pen, where they were raised to 17.5 months old before harvesting.
Testing how much fat you can feed fish
Fish in aquaculture were divided into groups and fed diets with different fat content. Fish were anaesthetised and faeces samples squeezed out of them.
Testing fish for mercury contamination
Wild fish were caught, measured and frozen to be analysed.
Measuring how stress affects fish
Fish were exposed to chronic stress for four weeks, while 57 non-stressed animals were kept as a control. Signs of stress were noted. At the end of the experiment, all were chilled to death.
Exposing fish to herbicides
Zebrafish were kept in tanks that were contaminated with different herbicide concentrations for 10 days. They were then mated to herbicide-exposed or control fish. Both generations were tested on behavioural changes at around 4 months of age. 24 fish per treatment were killed and dissected.
Testing supplements as protection from toxins in over 1,000 fish embryos
Embryos were harvested and kept in Petri dishes for toxicity and treatment tests. Embryos were treated with an antioxidant, a gold salt or both on the first day, and abnormal development was measured on day 5.
Studying effects of drying rivers on mudfish
Water depth and quality were measured at 24 different sites. Several traps for fish and invertebrates were set at 8 visits, sampling and mostly killing the caught animals (including 15 individuals of the endangered Kōwaro).
Studying bacterial spread in fish larvae
Bacteria were genetically modified and made fluorescent. Zebrafish were bred, and their larvae were infected with the bacteria. The fish were killed for analyses or used for live imaging under a microscope (and then killed, most likely).
Investigating effects of invasive fish removal
Using fyke nets and electrofishing, fish were caught on four occasions. Fish were marked with fin clippings around one big removal event where 3 tonnes of fish were caught. In recaptures a week after each marking event, invasive fish caught were killed after the examination.
Studying fish life cycles
Fish were sedated and their blood and ovarian tissue were sampled three times.
Questioning vets on pain management
Veterinarians completed a questionnaire regarding pain and pain management in rabbits and guinea pigs.
Testing nerve reactions to electric stimulation
Young guinea pigs were bled to death. Specific nerves were removed and experimented on.
Studying short-sightedness
Guinea pigs had one eye covered for two weeks before increasing their eye pressure surgically and kill them.
Measuring nerve reactions to gases
Guinea pigs were anaesthetised, and their windpipe and blood vessels were cannulated. They were exposed to different gases and cyanide while measuring breathing and nerve activity.
Studying how anaesthesia affects breathing and heart
Guinea pigs were put in airtight chambers to test the effects of low oxygen. Some were surgically fitted with tubing so blood samples could be taken during the tests. In the end, all were killed.
Studying compensation after inner ear destruction
Guinea pigs were anaesthetised, and their inner ear was destroyed with a drill. Videos were made for over two days of their balance recovery.
Killing pregnant guinea pigs for tissue cultures
Pregnant guinea pigs were anaesthetised at specific time points of their pregnancy, including during labour, to then remove the uterus for tissue culture experiments.
Testing how oxytocin injections cause contractions
Pregnant guinea pigs were surgically implanted with electrodes on or near the uterus. They were injected with oxytocin in specific doses and timeframes, and the effects were measured.
Harvesting testicles for studies
Male guinea pigs were killed with CO2 to remove their testicles for experiments.
Testing a new tuberculosis vaccine
A new tuberculosis vaccine was tested by injecting guinea pigs with the bacteria, either with or without prior vaccination. After several weeks, all were killed.
Testing how heart calcium metabolism is different in species
Guinea pigs and rats were decapitated, and their hearts were quickly removed to study them.
Testing influences on the rate of a dissected heart
Albino guinea pigs were anaesthetised and dissected before they were killed.
Confirming the correlation of energy storage and stress in the inner ear fluid
Guinea pigs were anaesthetised and artificially ventilated. Ear fluid samples were taken through a hole in the skull, while exposing them to noise or lack of oxygen.
Comparing natural and genetically altered tuberculosis strains
Guinea pigs were infected with tuberculosis strains after being injected with bacterial proteins beforehand. In the end, all guinea pigs were killed and dissected.
Comparing effects of anaesthetics on breathing and heart rate
Guinea pigs, rabbits and rats were anaesthetised, and a tube was put into their windpipe through the neck. They were made to breathe anaesthetic gas.
Testing a UV treatment for bacterial eye infection
Pigs’ eyes were acquired for testing a new treatment, followed by tests on live mice, most of whom were killed.
Studying methane emission and meat quality
Sheep were bred for high and low methane emissions. Almost 2,000 were put through emission measurements. Over 17,000 were slaughtered.
Testing if anaesthesia affects the sleep–wake cycle
Mice were kept on a 12-hour light/dark cycle and then switched to total darkness. They were anaesthetised twice to see the effect on their activity cycles, and all were killed in the end.
Testing the influences on growth
Transgenic and "normal" mice were kept in small groups and killed at different ages. Fat and muscle tissue were dissected, and the hearts were taken.
Testing a new way to kill lab mice
Mice were fed cream cheese containing different amounts of a sedative. Behaviour was recorded during the sedation period and while gassing them with CO2.
Testing a possible cause for cataracts
Transgenic and "normal" mice were used to study the development of cataracts. They were anaesthetised, images of their eyes were taken, and then they were (likely all) killed.
Studying chronic stress
Mice were handled daily, had vaginal smears, and some were subject to the notorious Forced Swim Test. Half of them were additionally stressed daily in various ways to see the difference it makes.
Trialling cancer drugs in mice after similar drug failed in humans
Mice were force-fed daily with two new drugs in different dosages. Others were force-fed a control solution, and some were left untreated. In the end, the animals were killed with CO2 and dissected.
Testing if exercise influences treatment success with cancer
Mice were injected with cancer cells. When tumours reached an “ethical” limit, they were injected with a labelling agent, anaesthetised and killed to be dissected. This was repeated, while some mice received cancer treatment.
Testing if exercise influences muscle mass with cancer
Mice were injected with cancer cells, and some received immunotherapy once the tumour reached a specific size. When tumours reached an “ethical” limit, they were killed. Cancer-free control mice were killed simultaneously.
Studying the interaction of hormones and stress
Transgenic mice had their brains injected, some had their ovaries removed, and some were restrained for repeated blood samples. In the end, all mice were killed.
Studying movement processing in the brain
Transgenic mice were put through behavioural tests while half of them had a part of their brain-damaged. Some mice had a window put into their skull to take recordings of their brains while awake. They had limited access to water and were forced into a device that stopped them from moving their head. In the end, all were killed.
Testing seizure activity in transgenic mice
Mice with specific genetic limitations were bred. Some were killed for dissection, and others were injected with a gene activation drug before they were killed.
Testing a seizure treatment
Genetically modified mice had wires and a cannula implanted in their brains, and were injected to cause seizures. The next day, their genetic mutation was activated. The test was repeated before they were all killed.
Observing cancer growth with/without treatment
Mice were injected with human breast cancer cells. The growth was monitored and sampled (biopsy). Some were operated on to remove their ovaries and some were treated with drugs before all were killed.
Testing how hormones influence activity while pregnant
Transgenic and “normal” mice were used to test the influence of pregnancy and hormones on activity and anxiety. They were kept in single cages with running wheels and subjected to behavioural tests. The transgenic mice were killed in the end.
Harvesting colon tissue for laboratory tests
Pigs were killed and their colon tissue was used for laboratory testing.
Testing if pigs can be fed by-products from biofuel and food processing
Pigs were fed a standard diet or a diet containing by-products from other industries. They were slaughtered to compare meat growth and quality.
Studying starch digestion in pigs to try and model humans
Pigs were fed different diets containing durum wheat or rice. Some had regular blood samples taken through a catheter. All the animals were killed at the end.
Validating a treatment for stomach muscle dysfunctions
Pigs were anaesthetised, their bellies were opened, and electrodes were placed on their stomach walls before and after damaging some stomach tissue with heat. All pigs were killed.
Assessing pigs as digestion models for humans
Titanium tubes were implanted into pigs’ intestines. Digested food was collected through the tube for 9 hours.
Testing the effect of different species’ milk on brain gene expression
Piglets were fed different kinds of milk from other species for 15 days. They were killed to dissect their brains.
Testing transmitter implantation on wild pigs
Wild pigs were captured, and three different tracking devices were fixed to or implanted into each one. After 104 days, they were tracked down and killed.
Investigating oxygen content in the gut
Pigs were fed diets with different or no protein sources as a control. After a week, all were killed.
Testing a UV treatment for bacterial eye infection
Pigs’ eyes were acquired for testing a new treatment, followed by tests on live mice, most of whom were killed.
Testing the effect of different species’ milk on protein digestion
Piglets were fed different kinds of milk from other species for 15 days. They were killed to dissect their stomachs.
Testing the strain on a temporary surgical implant
A surgical implant was screwed to a severed pig head, and measurements were taken via laser scanning.
Investigating intestine movements
Young pigs and NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised. A part of their intestine was pulled out far enough to record its movements and signalling.
Harvesting rabbit and pig eyes for lab tests
The eyes of slaughtered rabbits and pigs killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.
Harvesting eyes for lab tests
The eyes of pigs and rabbits killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.
Testing a treatment for stomach muscle dysfunctions
Pigs were anaesthetised, their bellies were opened, and electrodes were placed on their stomach walls before and after damaging some stomach tissue with heat. All pigs were killed.
Testing how electric stimulation affects stomach movements
Nine pigs were anaesthetised, their bellies were opened, and electrodes were placed on the stomach walls. Electric stimulation tests were performed before the pigs were killed.
Studying how ageing affects brain chemistry
Rats were kept in germ-free, individual cages before being killed. Their brains were used for tests.
Studying teen binge drinking
Young rats were force-fed alcohol repeatedly. Each time, blood samples were taken, and some were killed to take their brains after each alcohol day. The remaining rats were put through behavioural tests a few months later.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Testing medications for drug addiction
Rats were taught to inject themselves with cocaine when they pressed a lever. Through many cycles of establishment and withdrawal, medications were tested for their effect on drug-seeking behaviour. Other rats were tested for their activity level on cocaine with or without medication. Some were put into water-filled cylinders to examine if medication influences how long they swim.
Testing effects of meth on brain protein
Rats were taught to inject themselves with meth or a saline solution when they pressed a lever. After 20 days, there were two weeks of abstinence. In the end, all were killed to dissect their brains.
Testing new drug formulations
Rats and rabbits were injected with a new anaesthetic, pinching their paw repeatedly to measure reflexes. Rats were giving the medication until they died.
Testing blood pressure drugs against seizures
Rats were implanted with devices to measure heart and brain activity through induced seizures without being anaesthetised. They were killed two days later, and their hearts were taken.
Studying the effect of prolactin on the brain
Virgin rats and rats who recently gave birth had a cannula (tube) placed in their brain and were injected with medication. They were injected with prolactin after two days and killed an hour later to dissect their brains.
Testing a surgical treatment for hypertension with diabetes
Transgenic rats were injected to develop diabetes. Their kidney nerves were surgically destroyed. They were restrained for measurements and sampling regularly. In the end, they were all killed.
Testing a new pain medication
Rats were operated on to cause pain build-up in their hind leg. After 10 days, they were injected with different variations of a drug or just a control solution. The effect was tested by poking their hurting leg and having them balance.
Trying to study depressants and antidepressants
Rats were kept isolated or in groups for nine weeks. They were injected with different drugs and put through behavioural tests (the notorious Forced Swim Test, among others). In the end, all were killed.
Studying how anaesthetics affect intestine movement
Guinea pigs and rats were anaesthetised, then dissected, and then killed, in that order.
Studying hormone sensitivity of the brain
Female rats were mated, gave birth and cared for their babies for three weeks. They had prolactin injected below the skull. They were killed, and their brains were removed.
Harvesting rabbit and rat hearts for lab tests
NZ White rabbits and rats were killed to use their hearts in lab tests.
Testing digestion of a pig food
Rats were fed a pig food and killed to examine their intestines.
Testing how heart calcium metabolism is different in species
Guinea pigs and rats were decapitated, and their hearts were quickly removed to study them.
Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves
Lambs and calves were treated against parasites and then infected with worm eggs. Infection status was monitored. This was repeated several times before all sheep were killed.
Using sheep to try and model how well humans will heal after dental surgery
Sheep were anaesthetised, three teeth were pulled, and the sockets were treated differently. For months, regular samples were taken from the healing wounds before all sheep were killed.
Preclinical testing of a gene therapy for Batten disease
Sheep with and without a specific gene mutation were checked and scanned regularly for nine months. Affected sheep received gene therapy at different ages. Treated sheep were killed.
Testing if blocking a cell signal can prevent foetal brain injury
Pregnant sheep were anaesthetised, and the foetuses fitted with electrodes. The umbilical cord was blocked for most of them, and half were treated with a test drug. Mothers and unborn lambs were killed three weeks later.
Testing the combination of drugs for congestive heart failure treatment
Sheep were anaesthetised and subjected to surgery. Electrodes were used to pace their hearts faster while testing the effect of different drugs.
Testing the best way to deliver gene therapy drugs
Sheep were anaesthetised. Their heads were drilled into, and their brains injected with test drugs. They were killed after three weeks.
Testing the potency of pneumonia vaccines for sheep
Lambs were vaccinated twice, and regular blood samples were taken for 34 weeks.
Testing the effects and wash-out of painkillers
Lambs were treated with different painkillers or not at all before tail docking and castration. Their behaviour was monitored.
Developing “hyperimmune” milk
Sheep were injected with Covid-19 vaccines, and regular blood samples were taken. Some were mated and gave birth to sample their milk, too.
Studying the genetics of Batten disease on chimeric lambs
Sheep foetuses were removed. After swapping cells between them, they were inserted into other ewes. Lambs born were subjected to X-rays and, at one to three years old, were bled out for dissection.
Testing pacemaker adjustments
After causing them heart failure, sheep were surgically fitted with pacemakers and measurement devices. Those who survived the procedures were killed after six months.
Studying methane emission and meat quality
Sheep were bred for high and low methane emissions. Almost 2,000 were put through emission measurements. Over 17,000 were slaughtered.
Studying the effect of chemicals in normal and high blood pressure
Sheep were surgically fitted with a clip around an artery, or they served as control. Measuring devices were added before injecting different chemicals into the hearts of the conscious sheep.
Comparing muscle repair success with and without weeks of delay
Ewes were anaesthetised, and one side of a pelvis muscle was detached. After several weeks, the muscle was repaired. Gait was evaluated before all were killed.
Comparing different designs of dental implants
Sheep were anaesthetised. One leg bone was exposed and fitted with several implants. After 12 weeks, all were killed.
Trying to model human brain injuries
To study changes in different areas of the brain after brain injuries. Sheep were used to study the effects of traumatic brain injuries in humans.
Investigating intestine movements
Young pigs and NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised. A part of their intestine was pulled out far enough to record its movements and signalling.
Harvesting rabbit and pig eyes for lab tests
The eyes of slaughtered rabbits and pigs killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.
Causing sinusitis in rabbits as a model
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, and a sinus tract in their nose was blocked for four weeks to cause sinusitis. After another ten weeks with regular samples, they were killed.
Testing a new vaccine
NZ White rabbits were injected with a new vaccine type several times before being killed.
Harvesting eyes for lab tests
The eyes of pigs and rabbits killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.
Testing the toxicity of some substances
Young NZ White rabbits were force-fed different doses of toxic substances. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after killing them at set time points (or to end their suffering).
Using a new imaging technology
One NZ White rabbit and rats were killed, and their eyes were removed to use for the study.
Measuring contractions in exposed rabbit uteruses
Pregnant rabbits were anaesthetised, and their uterus was exposed. Measurements were taken while contraction-inducing injections were given. Then they were all killed for dissection.
Mapping wave patterns of the small intestine
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, their intestines were used for electrode mapping, and then they were killed.
Studying presence of a virus in rabbits
Wild rabbits were shot, caught by dogs or trapped to test them for virus strains. The infectious solution was then fed to NZ White rabbits in a lab to kill them later.
Harvesting rabbit colons for lab tests
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, a part of their intestine was cut out, and then they were killed.
Harvesting rabbit bladders for lab tests
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, their bladder was cut out, and then they were killed.
Testing an antimicrobial eye medication
NZ White rabbits were treated with Manuka honey solution in one eye and a control solution in the other eye for five days. Different values like tearing and irritation were measured.
Using muscles of dead rabbits for imaging
Two NZ White rabbits were killed to use for detailed muscle imaging.
Measuring jaw bone growth in young rabbits
Young rabbits were anaesthetised and had holes drilled into their jawbones to implant small pieces of metal. X-ray scans were made, and the rabbits were killed.
Testing the welfare impact of pindone toxin
Three groups of young NZ White Rabbits received pindone-toxin pellets on different schedules. Any rabbit still alive after three weeks was killed.