INTRODUCTION
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Cats and dogs have been companions to humans for millennia. Since their first wild ancestors started a relationship with humans, we have lived, worked and ‘evolved’ together, all across the world (Chapter 1).

As a result of breeding for selected characteristics – such as friendliness to humans – domestic cats and dogs are not quite the same as their wild forbears. Of course, some of their needs and behaviours have not changed: they still need warmth, shelter, the companionship of their own species, a stimulating environment, physical activity, rest and food and water (Chapter 1). But today they also rely on human company and assistance, and we have a duty to repay their loyalty over the centuries.

The companionship of cats and dogs
The many thousands of French people who share their lives with much-loved cats and dogs know and understand the value of animal companionship. We benefit in so many ways. People who have the company of cats or dogs even experience health advantages, including raised self-esteem, lower stress levels and enhanced ability to express their feelings. Just stroking an animal lowers our blood pressure.

But how do we repay our long-time animal friends? We have betrayed them, by allowing many thousands of cats and dogs to be incarcerated in laboratories and subjected to experiments which cause pain and distress. Despite European and national legislation (Chapter 2), inevitably the supply and use of dogs and cats in research and testing cause enormous psychological and physical suffering. In laboratories and supplying establishments across the country and abroad, our companions are ‘mass produced’, held in small, barren pens and denied the care and affection they deserve (Chapter 3).

Suffering in laboratories
In laboratories, dogs and cats just like those we cherish as companions, are maimed and mutilated; restrained and implanted with electrodes, tubes and wires; sleep deprived; held in solitary confinement; infected with fatal viruses; poisoned with chemicals; lamed; and brain damaged (Chapters 4 and 6).
These double standards are shocking. If we were to harm our pets like this, we would rightly be prosecuted. However, researchers are licensed in the name of science to cause immense pain and suffering in laboratories, which would be called cruelty elsewhere. When the experiment is finished, as the researchers write up their results for scientific journals, the cats and dogs are killed. Their experience of suffering is unmentioned in the sanitised account of the experiments which the scientists publish.

The rationale for these experiments is that the ends justify the means: if medical progress for humans can be achieved, it is frequently argued that the suffering of animals must be permitted. But this is unethical, knowing that other animals experience pain and distress like we do. Often their suffering is in vain, because artificially-induced diseases and species differences undermine the value to humans of results obtained from experiments on other animals (Chapters 5 and 6).
There has been enormous progress in the development and use of ‘alternative’ methods of research which do not use animals, such as molecular techniques, cell culture approaches, the study of human post-mortem tissues, clinical research and computer modelling (Chapter 6). Despite these technical advances, which can offer more relevant and better-quality results, to our shame France conducts more experiments on cats than any other European Union country; and ranks third in the number of dogs its laboratories use (Chapter 4). These numbers have not declined consistently; indeed, more cats and dogs were used in research and testing in 1999 than in 1993.
We do not even ensure that the supply of dogs and cats to laboratories causes minimal suffering. Our government permits the use of cats and dogs not purpose-bred for research, and it allows many of them to be imported from countries which have low standards of care, and little regulation of the companies which breed and supply these animals (Chapter 3). Consequently, we cannot be sure that loved pets do not end their days in a laboratory, frightened and distressed.

Reconsidering our responsibility
All of us have a responsibility to reconsider our relationship with cats and dogs and the double standards which currently exist. How can we accept that dogs and cats, some of them mass-produced on an industrial scale, some of them stolen, are sent on traumatic journeys to laboratories where they experience fear, distress and possibly severe pain? Experimental animals are permitted to endure pain without analgesics, if using them would interfere with the research. Even worse, some research is fundamental, i.e. it does not aim to provide practical solutions to human, animal or environmental problems, but merely adds to the store of human knowledge – what some call curiosity-driven research.

Ending research on cats and dogs
This Report explains why One Voice, for both scientific and ethical reasons, wants to see the end of experiments on cats and dogs. It describes the sources of supply of dogs and cats and why this can never be humane. It explains the legislation which should regulate this research, areas where it is not being properly implemented and why it does not stop animal suffering. The Report sets out the arguments why differences between species and artificially-induced conditions in other animals may actually hinder medical research. It provides Case Studies of recent experiments on cats and dogs, explaining how animals suffer and why alternative, non-animal methods could be superior.
While campaigning for an end to experiments on cats and dogs, One Voice also calls on the government, funding bodies and scientists to control more stringently the supply and use of dogs and cats, to minimise their suffering and to develop alternative, humane methods of research (Conclusions and Recommendations).