Survey Summary

Educational Use of Nonhuman Animals in U.S. Veterinary Medical Schools for the 1998 - 1999 School Year

- Publication date: 17 September 2000

General Information
Name of the survey: Educational Use of Nonhuman Animals in U.S. Veterinary Medical Schools for the 1998 - 1999 School Year
Survey conducted by: Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)
Dates information received: January 1999 to July 2000
Funded by: Leonard X. Bosack and Bette M. Kruger Charitable Foundation
Editor: Susan B. Krebsbach, D.V.M.
Programming by: Nedim C. Buyukmihci, V.M.D.
Survey Participants
All twenty-seven veterinary medical schools located in the United States were asked to provide information about their use of nonhuman animals for educational purposes for the 1998 - 1999 school year.

Twenty-two of the veterinary schools elected to participate in the survey. They are as follows:
Auburn University
Colorado State University
Iowa State University
Kansas State University
Michigan State University
Mississippi State University
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Purdue University 		Texas A&M University
Tufts University
University of California
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Illinois
University of Minnesota
University of Tennessee
University of Wisconsin
Virginia Tech and University of Maryland
Washington State University
Five of the veterinary schools elected not to participate in the survey. They are as follows:
Cornell University
Louisiana State University
Tuskegee University 		University of Missouri
University of Pennsylvania
Information Requested
The information that was requested for the survey is as follows:
  1. Class number and name in which nonhuman animals were used
  2. Procedures that were conducted
  3. Veterinary school contact for the specific procedure
  4. Number of nonhuman animals that were used for the procedure(s)
  5. Species of nonhuman animals that were used for the procedure(s)
  6. Sources of nonhuman animals for the procedures(s)
  7. Disposition of the nonhuman animals used for the procedures(s) after they were conducted
  8. Costs of purchasing and maintaining the animals
  9. Separate departments that were using nonhuman animals for educational purposes
  10. List of terminal procedures and the number of nonhuman animals used

Copies of the active class protocols (usually required by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) were requested from the veterinary schools. Many of the schools that elected to participate provided us with this information; others provided us with a written synopsis. In some cases, not all of the information listed above was provided.
Survey Goals
The goals of the survey were three-fold:
  1. Provide a comprehensive and comparative survey of the educational use of nonhuman animals in veterinary medical education.
  2. Provide suggestions for available alternatives to replace the harmful use of nonhuman animals in veterinary medical education.
  3. Identify areas that need development of solutions to the harmful use of nonhuman animals.
Survey Justification
The survey is justified for a number of reasons. First, as far as we know, a survey of this type has never been conducted. This was confirmed by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). It is important for the veterinary community to understand where we are with respect to the educational use of nonhuman animals before we have a clear direction as to where we need to go.

Second, the word about exciting developments in alternatives in veterinary education is still not getting out to the appropriate individuals at the various veterinary schools. Individual reports to the veterinary schools will be generated so that the needs of that particular school are addressed.
Publishing of results on the Internet
There were several reasons we chose to publish the results of this survey on the Internet. This medium provides the possibility of a wider audience than if the standard printed page method was used.

Because some data are still forthcoming, the Internet provides a labile, convenient way to make changes instantly. Mistakes are easily corrected. Moreover, if other means of using and displaying the data are developed, this is facilitated.

Perhaps most importantly, publishing on the Internet substantially diminishes the use of resources and waste of paper. Those who want a printed copy of the report, or only certain sections of the report, can do so readily.
Survey Contacts
Survey Editor: Susan B. Krebsbach, D.V.M.
2550 Marshall Parkway
Madison, WI 53713-1029
Home telephone: 608-256-9359
E-mail: DrSBK@charter.net
AVAR Office: Teri Barnato
P.O. Box 208
Davis, CA 95617-0208
Telephone: 530-759-8106
E-mail: info@avar.org