Breeding units are yet another dark secret of the animal experimentation industry.
Sadly many animals are bred specifically to be used for research, testing or teaching purposes in NZ. The fate of these animals has already been predetermined; they never stood a chance.
In 2020 alone, 63,813 animals used for science came from breeding units.
A breeding unit is "an institutional unit dedicated to breeding animals for manipulation" (according to the Ministry for Primary Industries/MPI).
Places that sourced animals from breeding units
The following institutes sourced animals from breeding units and used them for research, testing or teaching purposes in 2020:
- Ag Research Ltd
- Boffa Miskell Ltd
- Cave and Harvey Research
- Department of Conservation
- Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd - Manaaki Whenua
- ManukaMed Limited Partnership
- Massey University
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA)
- New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd
- Nzeno Ltd
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Ltd
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Otago, Christchurch
- University of Otago, Wellington
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Waikato Institute of Technology
This may not be a complete list – it’s only the information that we could obtain via the animal usage forms supplied to us by MPI from an Official Information Act Request request.
The types of animals bred in NZ
The following species were bred to be used for research, testing or teaching purposes in 2020:
- Cattle
- Goats
- Mice
- Rats
- Sheep
- Rabbits
- Cats
- Dogs
- Fish
- Horses
- Pigs
- Guinea pigs
- Pigeons
- Fowls/chickens
- Other birds
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
This may not be a complete list – it’s only the information that we could obtain via the animal usage forms supplied to us by MPI from an Official Information Act Request request.
Where the breeding units are located
This is one of the problems – due to how well hidden this industry is, we don’t know for sure where all the breeding units are!
From an Official Information Act request we sent out in 2014, we know that the following institutes had their own breeding unit during 2012 – 2014:
- Massey University (they bred sheep, cats and rats)
- University of Auckland (mice, rats, guinea pigs and zebrafish)
- AUT (mice)
- Victoria University (rats, mice, and tuatara)
- University of Waikato (chickens)
- University of Canterbury (rats)
- University of Otago (mice, rats guinea pigs)
- AgResearch (mice, rats, goats and cows)
We can’t be certain that this is still the case. Also, this list doesn’t include any of the private breeding facilities.
What the breeding units look like
Due to the high level of secrecy that this industry has, we do not know what all breeding units look like. However, as an indication, check out the photos of AgResearch’s animal housing taken in 2014 below.
Mouse room:
SPF (Specific Pathogen Free – this is a term used to describe animals that are guaranteed to be free of certain diseases e.g. influenza) area:
Rat room:
What happens to unwanted animals?
When animals are bred to be used for research, testing and teaching purposes, it is impossible to breed the exact number of animals required. Excess, unwanted animals are just a standard part of the breeding process and it is up to the institute to decide what they do with excess animals.
We have made it clear to all institutes that we are willing and able to help (in collaboration with our friends at HUHA) but there is no mandatory requirement for institutes to try and rehome animals.
If you are interested in adopting animals who have been used for research, testing or teaching purposes — you can add your name to our waitlist here.
Further reading
- Find out more about how animals are used for science in NZ.
- Learn about the alternatives and replacement methods that can be used instead of animals.
- Read about why animal testing is both ethically and scientifically flawed.
- Find out how you can help end animal experimentation.
