Animal Welfare & Ethics
Our commitment
At Pel-Freez, we balance the necessity of using animal products in our reagents with a profound respect for animal life. Our dedication to animal welfare and ethical practices means that the animal products used in our scientific reagents and products are sourced responsibly and humanely.
Responsible harvest
We manage over 20 acres of company-owned farms, as well as a network of over 100 local Amish rabbit growers.
Our abattoir is the largest in the United States, and a USDA inspector remains on site at all times during processing. We practice responsible harvest and waste reduction by repurposing non-edible portions of animals for biomedical research.
Over the course of 70+ years, we have optimized standardized procedures, from timing and temperature control of collection to final processing in our ISO 9001-certified facility.
Our experience, attention-to-detail, and commitment to animal welfare means that our products are not only of the highest quality but also ethically produced.
Trusted, local supply network
In addition to our rabbit products, we support the biomedical community with high quality reagents from a wide variety of species, with raw materials sourced from our US-based supply partners as well as a handful of carefully selected international raw material suppliers.
We require our partners to follow guidelines that exceed industry norms. Each supplier undergoes a rigorous vetting process to verify their adherence to stringent animal welfare standards, regular audits, and collection protocols.
Certifications
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We have third-party, independent verification that the care and handling of our animals meets the standards set by the American Humane Association.
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Pel-Freez, LLC is licensed by USDA APHIS Animal Care as a Class B dealer (Animal Care Certificate No. 71-B-0140) and registered as a Class R research facility (Animal Care Certificate No. 71-R-0121) under the Animal Welfare Act.
