Class B Dealers Turn Pets into Research Experiments

One of the most important pieces of advice I have given to people needing to find new homes for their pets is not to offer them “free to a good home.” Their heart is in the right place, but it is an unfortunate reality that free animals become the target for abuse.

Class B dealers gather up pets (mainly dogs and cats) to sell for research experiments. The pets come from a variety of “random sources.” A lost cat wandering down the street, a dog swiped from the front yard, shelter animals slated for euthanasia and pet ads in newspapers and internet sites, to name a few. These dealers have honed their craft when responding to free pet ads, making people believe they are giving their pets to the perfect new home. And free pets allow for the biggest turn in profit.

Unfortunately, a recent federal report shows a startling lack of regulations for Class B dealers. The Humane Society of the United States is exposing details of the report released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. For example, a number of Class B dealers have received violations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the unclean state of their facilities and lack of proper veterinary care.

HBO aired a documentary in 2006 on Class B dealers called Dealing Dogs. The film is too disturbing to share here, but a small (yet telling) portion of it is available on the HSUS website. Actions often speak louder than words, though it is hard to prepare when viewing the actions that are carried out by our fellow humankind.

HSUS supports the Pet Safety and Protection Act before Congress, which would be the end of Class B dealers obtaining pets from “random sources” for research. They also urge people to contact universities and other research institutions and demand an end to acquiring pets from Class B dealers.

HSUS has recognized 30 universities that have been confirmed to use Class B dealers. (Is your alma mater on the list?) As a result of the action alert, only three universities have confirmed to the HSUS that they do not use Class B dealers to obtain research animals. For the number of research universities across the U.S., this shows that a lot more pressure is needed from the public.

Only thirteen states have laws that prohibit "pound seizure," the practice of Class B dealers obtaining pets from animal shelters. With HB 4663, my home state of Michigan is on the verge of becoming the next state to regulate pound seizure. As written, this bill makes it illegal for shelter animals to be sold to research if they are brought in as strays. For surrendered pets, the relinquishing owner has to sign a release for research agreement in order for their pet to be sold for research.

Local advocates, as well as the American Humane Association, worked hard on this legislation all year. This summer the Michigan House passed the bill, but now the Michigan Senate is sitting on it. After being stalled until the November elections, the Senate has not yet taken up the bill again. It's time for the Michigan Senate to get back to work on passing this important piece of legislation to keep homeless pets out of laboratories.

Editor's Note: This post originally indicated that Dealing Dogs first aired in 2009, when the release date was in 2006.

Photo Credit: superfem