A watchdog investigation reported that the University of Missouri-Columbia has used cats acquired from a local shelter in NIH-funded research.

Following public pressure, the university acknowledged that four cats obtained in October 2025 for a federally funded study are still alive.

That means there is still time to act.

These animals were reportedly acquired through a shelter system that allows animals — including microchipped cats — to be transferred to research facilities. Records cited in the investigation describe invasive procedures and long-term laboratory confinement in other studies.

Shelter animals should be given a second chance at adoption — not placed in experiments.

We call on University of Missouri President Mun Choi to:

Immediately release the four cats currently held for research
End the use of shelter-acquired pets in laboratory experiments
Commit to transitioning to non-animal research methods.

Taxpayer dollars should not fund experiments on lost or abandoned pets.

Release the four cats. End the practice.