University of St Andrews
Below is a clear summary of what we know about their use of animals in research and how you can take action.
This university is known to conduct experiments on animals as part of its research and teaching activities.
On this page, you’ll find a summary of the available data and how you can take action. You can also explore the university’s own information here.
Research involving animals is carried out in the following general areas:
- animal behaviour and their nervous system
- animal biology and reproductive systems
- how animals interact with their environment and can be better protected in the wild.
Total procedures carried out in 2024
%
Involved fish and mice
Were classified as “non-recovery procedures”
Species Breakdown
Fish and mice were used most frequently. Additional species were also used in smaller numbers.
Full list of all species used
| Species | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Birds | 20 |
| Clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) | 71 |
| Mice | 2102 |
| Rats | 72 |
| Fish | 5579 |
| Seals |
40 |
| Bats |
13 |
These figures represent the number of individual animals used in procedures reported by the university for 2024.
- Fish (5,579) 71%
- Mice (2,102) 27%
Severity of Procedures
Animal procedures are classified by severity, ranging from mild interference to procedures that cause substantial suffering. This breakdown highlights the levels of impact experienced by animals in the university’s research.
%
Sub-threshold
%
Mild
%
Moderate
%
Severe
%
Non-recovery
What you can do
If you’re concerned about the use of animals in research, you can make your voice heard. Whether you’re a student, member of staff, alumni, or local resident, we’ve created easy-to-use templates to help you contact the university and ask for change.