The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Montcalm County, Mich. Board of Commissioners for voting to end the practice of providing dogs and cats to R&R Research, an animal broker that sells them for research.

R&R Research is licensed as a Class B dealer by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Class B dealers purchase and collect animals from random sources -- such as shelters, auctions, flea markets and individuals -- and sell them to laboratories for experimentation. Some Class B dealers have been caught receiving stolen animals or fraudulently obtaining animals, including pets.

"The Humane Society of the United States applauds Montcalm County for moving away from the outmoded practice of providing companion animals to ultimately be used for research," said Jill Fritz, The HSUS Michigan state director. "This will help restore the community's trust in the Montcalm County Animal Shelter and protect animals from potentially inhumane conditions."

Educational institutions are phasing out the use of non-human animals and instead relying on donated human cadavers, models and participation in actual surgeries as teaching tools.