NIH Supports Adoption of Lab Animals After Research

Shanon Harmon

Back in 2018, Shanon Harmon, then an NIH veterinary technician, was conducting his normal daily tasks and check-up procedures on the laboratory animals under his care. One particular animal, a bloodhound-cross named Rohan, started to catch Harmon’s attention more each day. Harmon learned there may be an opportunity to adopt Rohan after his contributions to the research project ended.

“He was a very relaxed guy, would walk right up to animal staff in the play yard and put his head right in their chest. That hit my soul,” Harmon recalled, thinking about the possibility of adopting Rohan. “I was going through the checks in my mind. Would my home be a good transition and fit, and not be scary?” 

Rehoming involves placing laboratory animals up for adoption after their participation in research is over. For outside research organizations, NIH has expressed its support for them to develop their own rehoming programs, and suggests considerations. But how does rehoming work for animal participants in NIH intramural research?

NIH’s rehoming program began ramping up around the time Harmon considered adopting Rohan. Since then, 52 animals have been adopted. All were domesticated species, ranging from agricultural animals like sheep and pigs to more traditional pet animals like dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Wild, non-domesticated laboratory animals were excluded.

Rohan outside Harmon's home.

The Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR), within NIH’s Office of Research Services, oversees and provides guidance on adoption programs across NIH.

Division Director Dr. Jill Ascher, a veterinarian, explains the importance of NIH’s post-research animal adoption program.

“Our research animals have benefitted both human- and animal-kind,” she says. “They deserve the opportunity to be placed in caring homes after they have completed their work. It benefits not only the animals, but also the animal care staff, who have taken care of them, and in many cases, developed strong bonds with them.”

The process is similar across NIH, although variability exists depending on specific animals. DVR has also advised and provided guidance for other federal agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Here’s how the process works: The relevant scientific director (or their designee) and NIH’s animal care and use committee determine whether the laboratory animal is suitable for adoption as a pet after a study has ended. Veterinarians, including experts in the animal’s behavior, give each animal a full physical exam for health, temperament, research history and liability risk as well as how each may react to transitioning to a new home. For agricultural animals, staff will also assess adequacy of the new environment’s available space.

DVR may also follow up to ensure the animals are happy and healthy in their new homes.

Dr. Meghan Connolly, a behavioral veterinarian.

“The compassion the NIH animal care staff have is really highlighted in this program,” explained Dr. Meghan Connolly, a behavior veterinarian and DVR rehoming lead who adopted Alan and Cady, two miniature pigs. “It gives the animals who have helped further biomedical research a wonderful retirement life.”

In retirement, Rohan had to get used to a new environment—living with another dog, encountering different smells, feeling comfortable on a leash, potty training, exploring a backyard and growing into a new routine as a pet.

“It was a big adjustment,” Harmon said. “But it meant he could retire and be appreciated for his contribution to science. We do it with police dogs. Why not research animals?”

Typically, animals are adopted by members of the research community, many of whom work at NIH. There is no adoption fee, but there is a process to transfer ownership.

DVR will interview those interested in adopting to make sure they are familiar with the animal’s behavior, life-long care and space requirements and local zoning restrictions. Most importantly, adopters must comply with standards for humane animal care and accept full responsibility for the animals.

Potential adopters usually learn about animals coming up for adoption through word of mouth. A growing number of NIH intramural research protocols now indicate that the animals involved will be placed for adoption at the end of the study, if suitable.

Mini pigs Alan and Cady retired to Connolly's home.

When a match is made, the adopter will receive the animal’s medical history as well as information on how to care for the animal, placing into a carrier or crate, diet, and anything else relevant to help keep the transition as low stress as possible. Animals cannot be sold, released into the wild or used for food or as working animals.   

Rehoming helps improve morale among research staff—especially in situations when they may feel overwhelmed or experience burnout while working with the animals.

“Our staff love these animals,” Ascher noted. “We understand, though, some veterinarians and laboratory staff may experience compassion fatigue when conducting research. This program is one way we aim to help provide a holistic approach to address this concern for our staff and the animals alike. We find it a very rewarding experience.”

Rohan has become an ambassador for post-research adoption. When out in public he wears a handmade jacket announcing, “Ask me how I help save lives.”

“When I explain that Rohan is a retired research animal to someone who asks,” Harmon said, “it gives that person a new perspective on the role of animals in research, which is likely different from before they met him.”

To learn more about NIH’s animal adoption program, email DVR at oddvrdir@mail.nih.gov.