The University reports the number of animals that are used in research by species each year. A 'regulated procedure' is one that:Is carried out on an animal of a protected speciesIs for a scientific purposeMay cause the animal a level of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm equivalent to, or higher than, that caused by inserting a hypodermic needle in line with good veterinary practice.All living vertebrates, excluding humans, and cephalopods, such as octopus, are protected by law. Embryonic and foetal forms are considered 'protected animals' in the last third of gestation, or incubation for egg-laying species. Larval forms of fish and amphibians are protected animals once they are capable of independent feeding. For example, zebrafish larvae become protected five days after fertilisation.Procedures carried out on animals during early stages of development, before they reach protected status, may also be regulated under ASPA if the animals are kept alive beyond the point at which they become protected.In 2025, the University carried out 131,103 scientific procedures involving animals. The vast majority of these involved rodents (63.18%), and fish (34.59%) (see table ). SpeciesNumber of ProceduresPercentage of Grand TotalRodents8282863.18%Mice7145654.50%Rats112318.57%Spiny mice910.07%Wood mice500.04%Fish4535034.59%Zebrafish (Danio rerio)4535034.59%Birds13010.99%Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)13010.99%Wild animals monitored in the wild or captured and released10040.77%Mice3900.30%Red deer560.04%Sheep2520.19%Small-spotted catshark (juvenile)360.03%Thornback ray (adult)530.04%Thornback ray (juvenile)270.02%Wildfowl80.01%Wood mice1820.14%Agricultural Species (Cattle, Pigs, Sheep)4950.38%Cattle2130.16%Pigs1530.12%Sheep1290.10%Amphibians1160.09%Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)1160.09%Client-owned animals involved in studies aimed at improving care for sick animals90.01%Dogs20.00%Horses70.01%Grand Total131103100.00% These figures are calculated each year based on data from annual returns that are prepared for the Home Office by every Project Licence holder.2024 statistics2023 statistics2022 statistics2021 statistics2020 statistics2019 statistics2018 statistics2017 statistics2016 statistics2015 statistics2014 statistics Severity statisticsEach regulated procedure is assigned a severity which describes the animal's experience. Figures for 2025 are available at the link below. Severity Statistics This article was published on 2026-03-25
