Abstract
The fate of experimental animals represents an ethical dilemma and a public concern. In the EU, Directive 2010/63/EU allows the rehoming of former experimental animals instead of euthanasia. However, to our knowledge, there are no previous reports of rehoming Beagles in Finland. This study aimed to describe the process behind the first rehoming of laboratory Beagles at the University of Helsinki and evaluate its success. In total, 16 former laboratory Beagles were rehomed in collaboration with animal protection organisations and the University of Helsinki. The dogs had participated in animal cognition studies and had undergone minor procedures during the development of a veterinary drug. While the dogs were still in the laboratory, a socialisation training programme lasting several months was undertaken. Through surveying of the adoptive owners, and interviewing the various stakeholders involved (researchers, animal protection organisations and animal caretakers), the overall process was evaluated, including: the socialisation training programme; the comparative success of rehoming younger compared to older animals; the criteria that were used for the selection of the adoptive owners; and the eventual success of rehoming the dogs with the new owners. The majority of the dogs adjusted well to their new home environment. Euthanasia at the end of their experimental use would have been unnecessary and possibly against the objectives of European directives.
Highlights
In Finland, the national legislation that covers the use of animals for scientific or educational purposes (Act 497/ 2013)[1] is based on the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.[2]
The EU Directive concerns the fate of experimental animals and gives all European institutions an opportunity to rehome laboratory dogs after they are no longer needed for experimental use
The current study describes the first rehoming and socialisation programme of laboratory Beagles to take place in Finland
Summary
In Finland, the national legislation that covers the use of animals for scientific or educational purposes (Act 497/ 2013)[1] is based on the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes.[2]. According to Article 19, animals that have been used in procedures can be rehomed, if certain conditions are met, namely if: the state of health of the animal allows it and there is no danger to public health, animal health or the environment. Preamble 26 of Directive 2010/63/EU states that: “At the end of the procedure, the most appropriate decision should be taken as regards the future of the animal on the basis of animal welfare and potential risks to the environment. It is possible that a large number of experimental animals meet the criteria for potential rehoming. It is not clear how many dogs or other laboratory animals are being rehomed, or killed, as there are no statistics nationally or in the EU. Despite European legislation, the majority of dogs and other laboratory animals are killed rather than being rehomed
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