American Anti-Vivisection Society

Activities include leading, effective, legal advocacy to help animals in labs, and informative publications providing unique insights and analysis, to empower members with the tools to be effective advocates themselves. In 2023, aavs was involved in public policy research, analysis and action on issues of animal use (such as debates over ethics and effectiveness of subjecting monkeys to experiments), and alternative methods, especially for federally funded biomedical research. A 4-page bi-monthly newsletter and a monthly online newsletter distributed to over 25,000 members and supporters provide timely, reliable information and action alerts. Aavs grants to sanctuaries, for care of animals released from labs, continued to be a critical source of sanctuary support in 2023, including, for the second year, bonus funding specifically for veterinary care to offset rising costs. An annual grant was also made to provide lifetime care for young chimpanzees released from a lab when babies, now living at chimp haven. Aavs continued its membership in world federation for animals, and involvement in global issues seeking to help all suffering animals. Note that the grants expense above is 'net total' of grants made, $416,279, plus 'grants payable liability adjustment' of $110,903 on the chimp haven lifetime care commitment.

Aavs manages the leaping bunny program of the coalition for consumer information on cosmetics (ccic), which is chaired by aavs president sue leary. The leaping bunny program provides a highly valued and trusted service for compassionate consumers who wish to avoid products tested on animals. Through its cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized leaping bunny logo, the program certifies companies producing cruelty-free cosmetic, personal care and household products. The list of over 2300 certified companies is publicly available at no cost on leapingbunny.org and in apps for smartphones. The program conducts annual recommitments and audits on selected companies to ensure compliance with the standard. A notable achievement in 2023 was the further development and implementation of the leaping bunny china qualification program, requiring companies to have any registrations in china audited by ccic-selected experts to assure that no animal testing is conducted to satisfy that country's complicated regulatory system. Consumers are informed through very active and engaging social media, and a popular monthly online newsletter. Program staff regularly serve as a reliable, respected resource for media, deliver presentations to companies and are interviewed on the topic of animal testing for a general audience.

Animalearn works to end vivisection and dissection in the classroom, advocating and promoting humane science education policy. Its highly-regarded free lending library, the science bank, provides effective, non-animal alternatives for all grades, from elementary school through advanced training for health professionals. The science bank increased fulfilled orders by 76% in 2023 with first-time borrowers increasing 168%. Animalearn staff hosts demonstrations at educator conferences, exposing thousands of teachers and school administrators to innovative alternatives. Authoritative materials educate on the harms of animal use in science education, including environmental, health, and long-term costs.outstanding humane educators and students were publicly recognized by animalearn and presented with awards of non-animal dissection alternatives in 2023.