A disturbing pattern has emerged, revealing that Canadian research institutions have been sourcing dogs from a U.S. breeder repeatedly cited for serious animal welfare violations. The Investigative Journalism Bureau uncovered evidence linking prominent labs to Marshall BioResources, a large-scale breeding facility in upstate New York, raising profound ethical questions about the origins of animals used in scientific experiments.
The University Health Network in Toronto, and the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario, were among the past customers of Marshall BioResources. While UHN states it no longer utilizes dogs in research, and Lawson recently ended its dog testing program, both institutions previously relied on this controversial supplier. This revelation ignites a critical debate: at what cost does scientific advancement come?
Federal inspectors documented a litany of concerns at Marshall BioResources between 2021 and 2024, totaling eleven violations. Reports detailed animals suffering from untreated injuries and painful sores, alongside unsanitary conditions – mould-covered food and cages overflowing with feces. These findings paint a grim picture of the environment where these research animals began their lives.
The timing of these discoveries coincides with a growing global conversation about the necessity of using dogs in experimentation. As scientists and policymakers grapple with this complex issue, the sourcing of these animals from a facility with a documented history of neglect adds another layer of urgency to the discussion.
A 2025 cancer research study from UHN explicitly stated the use of beagle dogs purchased from Marshall BioResources. However, UHN maintains the research was completed in 2019, and all dog research ceased by 2020, asserting adherence to all institutional guidelines at the time. This raises questions about the oversight processes in place during that period.
Canada’s guidelines for acquiring research animals, overseen by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, emphasize obtaining animals from “credible suppliers” with a reputation for humane treatment and safe transport. The documented violations at Marshall BioResources directly challenge whether this standard was met.
Lawson Health Research Institute’s decades-long use of dogs in research ended last summer following reports of deeply concerning procedures, including inducing prolonged heart attacks in canine subjects. An internal review acknowledged gaps in public communication and governance, prompting a commitment to address the identified issues.
Despite the concerns, Lawson continued to purchase dogs from Marshall as recently as 2022, with approval from Western University’s Animal Care Committee. The justification cited certifications from U.S. regulatory bodies, even as evidence of animal welfare violations mounted. This highlights a potential disconnect between accreditation and actual conditions on the ground.
Inspection reports reveal a pattern of neglect. In 2021, inspectors found “multiple dogs” with untreated injuries overlooked by Marshall’s staff. Painful cysts between the toes were also noted, demonstrating a failure to recognize and address compromised animal health. These weren’t isolated incidents.
Further inspections in 2022 uncovered unsanitary enclosures filled with cat feces, and in 2024, mouldy food was discovered – a recurring issue identified three years prior. The breeder, in a written statement, claims to consistently meet standards and swiftly address any feedback received from the USDA.
However, the sheer volume of violations raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of these corrective measures. Experts argue that relying on suppliers with questionable practices compromises Canada’s ethical obligations. “We’re colluding with a system that creates abuse and neglect,” warns a bioethicist at the University of Toronto.
The debate is intensifying, with proposed legislation in Ontario aiming to ban invasive research on dogs and cats, and prohibit their breeding for such purposes. Similar proposals are gaining traction in Michigan, reflecting a growing public outcry against the use of animals in research.
Even as the practice faces increasing scrutiny, a significant number of dogs continue to be imported into Canada for research – over 17,800 between 2019 and 2025. This underscores the need for stricter regulations and greater transparency in the sourcing of research animals.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a push to replace animal testing with more human-relevant methods, signaling a potential shift in the scientific landscape. However, some researchers maintain that animal models remain essential for certain types of research, emphasizing the need to balance ethical concerns with the pursuit of medical breakthroughs.
