Tens of millions of animals are used annually for research, testing, and education throughout the United States. Facilities that breed, hold, or use animals for scientific purposes are expected—at minimum—to adhere to legal standards, including statutory and regulatory requirements, and provide adequate housing, care, and treatment to animals. Unfortunately, we know that situations arise in which facilities fail to meet such standards, or where the well-being or health of the animal is otherwise compromised due to inappropriate practices or procedures. We want to help you correct such situations for the benefit of the animals as well as those who care for them.
Sharing this information is vitally important. When facilities fail to protect animals from harm, the animals are not the only ones who suffer: Compromised animal welfare also undermines research data integrity, and it can be emotionally traumatic for personnel who are doing their best to provide care. Regulatory agencies charged with oversight and enforcement of animal protection requirements often rely on the facilities to self-report issues. In some cases, the facilities fail to do so. In such cases, information from those who witness problems in labs has been the only way to effect true change for animals.
This page was designed to provide a confidential avenue to report any specific concerns about the well-being of animals in research, testing, or teaching/education. Our form is open to all persons wishing to notify us about any animal welfare problem in the laboratory or classroom,
- whether it involves one animal or multiple animals;
- whether animals are on active protocols, in holding, or used for breeding;
- whether the concern is for animals in one laboratory cage, animals used by one principal investigator, or animals throughout an institution; and
- whether or not you believe there has been a violation of any law or guideline.
Our objective is to assist you in circumstances where animals in the laboratory are not receiving the housing, care, or treatment they need to ensure their well-being. Your report can be anonymous. We will endeavor to follow up on each report by taking whatever action is appropriate to improve the situation for the animals involved. This may include, but is not limited to
- strategizing on ways to address the situation,
- filing complaints with the appropriate oversight and/or funding agencies, and
- reporting to the media and/or legislative bodies.
No personal information is required in order to report a concern; however, the more detail that is provided the better we will be able to help address the situation. If you provide your contact information and allow us to contact you (see Contact Preference below), even if you choose to remain anonymous, we will work with you to address the situation in a way that you feel comfortable with.
To maintain confidentiality and security, please do not use work equipment, work network systems, or a work email address to complete this form. Use your personal computer and email address (we encourage using encrypted email; many email providers, such as Outlook and Gmail, offer an optional security add-on for end-to-end email encryption). If you prefer not to use this form, but would like to report a concern, please call Joanna Makowska, Director of AWI Animals in Laboratories Program, at 202-446-2126.