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More than 90 percent of animals used in medical research in New Zealand are specially-bred rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs.
Dogs and cats are also needed in small numbers. Cats are specially bred for research, while most dogs are obtained from breeders and greyhound trainers who have animals which are surplus to requirements. A few are abandoned animals which would otherwise have been put to death in city pounds.
Farm animals are used in many studies at our universities and research centres. Most of them return to the normal farming routine once a research study is completed.
Dogs and cats are used to prove animal vaccines are effective and safe. They are also essential for some medical and veterinary research.
Modern vaccines protect cats and dogs from painful and deadly diseases
like distemper, parvovirus and cat flu. But before these vaccines can be injected into your pet they