Dogs have been used for science in NZ in a variety of ways, including both non-harmful and cruel methods. People are understandably upset by invasive experiments. Companion Animals NZ reported 31% of NZ households include dogs, with most of them stating companionship, love and affection as reasons to getting dogs.¹ Research has repeatedly shown the strong bond between dogs and their person and more than once equated it to the bond between parent and child.^2,3,4

You can actually register your dog for (likely non-harmful) research at the University of Auckland.⁵ And Massey University has a Working Dog Centre to do research specifically into genetics and health issues of dogs who are used for work.⁶

For example, dogs in NZ have been used for:

• testing insecticides, pesticides and other toxins
• attempting to model human diseases and conditions
• measuring the safety of food and ingredients
• testing pain relief
• researching disease detection
• researching nutrition and how it affects biological functions and food preferences
• testing new treatments for skin infections
• studying performance, nutrition and underlying causes of disease in working dogs as a vital part of the animal agriculture sector (in 2009, there were 150,000 working dogs in NZ)
• researching fitness and training regimes in police dogs and training dog handlers
• teaching vet and vet nurse students basic concepts like animal handling and basic clinical/husbandry skills.

Places that use dogs for science in NZ include private companies, universities, and polytechnics.

Dogs used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding facilities, farms, city council pounds and other public sources.*

*According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, public sources include: Public donations, animals obtained from a pound, a pet shop or other public sources. This includes companion animals who are used for the duration of the exercise (e.g. veterinary nurse training).

Discover real-life examples of how dogs have been used in NZ below!