ABSTRACT
This chapter describes ethical dimensions concerning the use of pets in research and how those dimensions may be employed. It is concerned with the most important ethical element in the endeavors which is the protection of pets’ health and welfare. A good foundation for humane safeguards and optimal outcomes for pets used in research is provided by the ethical principles and practices established for laboratory animals. Beyond that, the human companion status of a pet raises additional ethical questions that should be considered before a given experiment is initiated on it. Most established research institutions in the United States have set up ethical review policies and committees to address related questions. Research involving live animals in the United States is regulated by various federal agencies, as determined by the species involved, who owns the animal, the purpose of the research, and the funding source. The chapter raises various ethical questions for all parties to contemplate but not as many answers.
