U.S. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan has delivered welcome news for animal rights advocates and fiscal conservatives alike with a groundbreaking announcement. The Navy leader has officially terminated all testing on cats and dogs across all Department of the Navy facilities.
According to Breitbart, Phelan declared this move as "long overdue" while crediting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for bringing these practices to light. The decision represents a significant shift in military research protocols that have included animal testing for decades.
The Navy Secretary also directed the Surgeon General of the Navy to conduct a comprehensive review of all medical research programs. This evaluation aims to ensure all remaining research aligns with ethical guidelines, scientific necessity, and core military values of integrity and readiness.
Trump administration leads animal welfare reform
The Navy's decision comes as part of a broader initiative by President Trump's administration to eliminate what many consider cruel and unnecessary animal testing across federal agencies. This policy shift has been gaining momentum since Trump's return to office.
The taxpayer watchdog organization White Coat Waste Project has played a significant role in exposing controversial animal testing programs. Their investigations have revealed numerous federally funded experiments that many Americans find ethically troubling and fiscally wasteful.
In March, the Department of Government Efficiency announced the cancellation of several National Institutes of Health grants focused on transgender experiments using animals. One notable example was a nearly $300,000 grant for "transmasculine" animal experiments where female mice received testosterone and underwent ovary removal to study breast cancer risk in transgender individuals.
EPA and NIH join animal testing rollback
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has aligned with the administration's position on animal testing. Under his leadership, the EPA announced plans in April to significantly reduce animal testing requirements.
This policy change represents a major shift for an agency that has historically required extensive animal testing for chemical safety evaluations. The move has been praised by animal rights groups while raising questions from some environmental safety advocates about alternative testing methods.
The National Institutes of Health has also taken decisive action under the leadership of Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. In May, the NIH announced the closure of its last remaining beagle experiment laboratory, marking another milestone in the administration's commitment to ending animal testing.
Ethical and fiscal considerations drive policy
Phelan's announcement emphasized both the ethical and financial benefits of ending Navy testing on cats and dogs. The decision reflects growing public concern about animal welfare in government research programs.
"Today it gives me great pleasure to terminate all Department of the Navy's testing on cats and dogs, ending these inhumane practices and saving taxpayer dollars," Phelan stated in his video announcement. This dual focus on ethics and fiscal responsibility aligns with the Trump administration's broader government efficiency initiatives.
The comprehensive review of medical research programs ordered by Phelan suggests the Navy may be considering additional reforms beyond cats and dogs. This evaluation could potentially lead to further restrictions on animal testing or increased investment in alternative research methodologies.
Military research enters new era
Secretary Phelan's historic decision marks a turning point for military research practices that have included animal testing for generations. The termination of all testing on cats and dogs represents one of the most significant animal welfare policy shifts in Department of Defense history.
The move comes as part of President Trump's broader push to eliminate what his administration views as wasteful and inhumane government practices. The Department of Government Efficiency has been instrumental in identifying and targeting these programs across federal agencies.
The Navy will now face the challenge of maintaining research capabilities while adhering to new ethical guidelines. Phelan's directive to review all medical research programs suggests the military branch is committed to finding this balance while upholding its core values and mission readiness requirements.
