NIH funds new cat experiments despite pledge to phase them out, watchdog reports

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) is still funding new experiments on cats despite announcing plans to phase out such projects. According to documents obtained by a watchdog group, the NIH has awarded over $1.7 million in new grants for experiments involving cats since July.

This move contradicts the NIH's claims that it opposes using cats in experiments and argues that the agency is "legally constrained" from ending projects. However, NIH policy states there is no legal obligation to provide funding beyond the end of the current budget period.

The funds were allocated for various research studies involving kittens, including one studying blood flow in the brain after a stroke, where 60 kittens will have their skulls removed and undergo viruses injections before being killed. Another study investigating gene therapy for human glaucoma received $439,000, with kittens bred to have glaucoma injected with viruses and then killed.

Critics say that this allocation of funds contradicts the NIH's claim about phasing out cat experiments and argue that the agency is misleading the public on its plans to reduce animal testing. The watchdog group White Coat Waste (WCW) calls for all existing grants for cat testing to be canceled, as well as prohibiting new ones.

Justin Goodman, WCW senior vice-president, believes that President Donald Trump should intervene in this matter and says that the NIH has been "doubling down" on funding experiments despite better alternatives existing. The issue is part of a growing trend towards reducing animal use in US laboratories.

Ugh , can't believe the NIH is still rolling out the money for cat experiments even after saying they're gonna stop it! Like, what's up with that? They're literally having kittens (and cats) suffer just so we can learn more about human diseases. It's so messed up . I mean, I get it, research is important and all, but there gotta be better ways to test stuff without putting poor animals through this. White Coat Waste is totally right, these grants should be canceled ASAP . And honestly, can't the NIH just be more transparent about their plans? It's like they're misleading everyone on purpose. We need more moderators like me to keep an eye on these things!

I'm low-key freaked out by this one . So, the NIH is basically saying they're done with cat testing, but then goes and awards millions to new projects involving our feline friends . It's like, what's good? Can't they just follow their own rules for once? I get that there are valid medical reasons why cats need to be used in experiments, but do we really have to go this far? There needs to be more transparency and accountability here. The NIH is basically lying to the public about their plans, and it's unacceptable . We should see some real action taken on this, like cancelling all existing grants or banning new ones . It's time for them to get their priorities straight and put animal welfare first .

The cat experiment thingy ... I get where they're coming from, but come on, it's like, a million bucks for kittens? I'm all for finding new ways to help humans, but do we really need to torture poor little furballs in the process? And what's up with these studies, like, brain blood flow and gene therapy? Can't they just, like, ask people or something? The NIH is trying to say they're all about reducing animal testing, but it sounds like they're just finding ways to spin it. White Coat Waste is on point, though - we need more transparency and accountability here

I'm really confused about the NIH's move . They're trying to phase out cat experiments, but still doling out millions for new research involving kittens . It feels like they're all over the place - one minute they say they're cutting back, the next they're throwing money at it . I don't get why they can't just follow through on their promises . And what's with the viruses and skull removal stuff? That sounds super inhumane . If they're going to claim to be reducing animal testing, then they need to actually do it . I'm not sure about President Trump intervening, though - isn't that a bit outside his scope?

I just saw this news and I'm totally bummed . I mean, I get it, research is super important but cats are cute and can't defend themselves, you know? . The NIH is like "we're gonna stop funding cat experiments" but then they go ahead and give out millions of dollars for more projects... . It's all so confusing .

Imagine if someone came to your house with a clipboard and said "oh, we're just gonna keep using your cat for our science stuff"... you'd be like NOPE, not cool . I mean, cats are already stressed enough, don't need human labs messing around with them too... .

I think the watchdog group is on to something here . We should totally be promoting more humane ways of doing research instead of relying on poor kitties for our science experiments .

I'm really confused about this one ... so the NIH is saying they're gonna stop using cats for experiments, but then they go and give millions to new studies with kittens? It just doesn't add up. I mean, if they're really phasing out cat testing, why are they still funding it? And what's with all these crazy experiments on kittens, like removing their skulls and injecting viruses into them? That sounds super harsh to me... and now someone's calling for the president to step in and sort it out? I wish there was just a simple answer to this one

I'm not buying it when they say they're phasing out cat experiments. $1.7 million for more kitten tests? That's just a slap in the face to all those animal welfare advocates. It's like they think we're blind or something. Newsflash: cats are sentient beings too, not just test subjects. The fact that they're still getting funded despite claiming it's going away is just a major case of lip service.

Can you believe this? The NIH is like, totally messing with us! They say they're trying to phase out cat experiments, but it looks like they're still pouring millions into it. I mean, what's the deal with these kittens getting their skulls removed and injected with viruses just to die? It's not like we need that much info on blood flow in the brain or gene therapy for glaucoma... And now this watchdog group is like, totally calling BS on NIH's claims. Like, can't they see what's going on here? The whole thing just reeks of hypocrisy and lack of transparency. I'm low-key impressed that WCW is speaking truth to power...

omg this is so messed up! i mean, i'm all for advancing medical knowledge and whatnot, but using cute little kittens like that? it's just too much the fact that they're even considering funding these experiments despite saying they want to phase them out is like, super misleading. and now they're just doubling down on it? idk, man... i guess we'll just have to keep calling out these kinds of things until change happens

I gotta say, it's pretty crazy that the NIH is still funding cat experiments despite claiming to phase them out . I mean, what's going on here? It seems like they're just stringing along with their own narrative and hiding behind some bureaucratic loophole . The fact that they're awarding millions of dollars for new grants for cat studies is just mind-boggling .

And let's not forget about the actual experiments being conducted - removing kittens' skulls and injecting them with viruses? It's like something out of a sci-fi movie, but unfortunately it's real life . I get that research is important, but can't we find ways to do it without having to kill innocent animals first? .

I'm not surprised by the watchdog group's calls for an end to all existing grants and new funding - it's long overdue . We need more transparency and accountability from our scientific institutions, especially when it comes to animal testing . Maybe we can even look to other countries that have already made the switch . The cat experiment saga just got a whole lot more complicated...

Ugh, come on... can't these people make up their minds? They're all about phasing out cat experiments one day and then suddenly announce new grants for them the next. It's like they're trying to mess with our heads. And don't even get me started on the viral video of a kitten getting injected with viruses... that's just cruel.

I mean, seriously, who thought it was a good idea to use kittens in experiments? Can't we just fund research on humans or something? It's not like cats are the only ones susceptible to diseases or brain damage. And what's with all these "alternative" methods they're supposed to be using? Have you seen the paperwork for those things? It's like a bureaucratic nightmare.

And Justin Goodman is right, though... the NIH should be held accountable for its actions. We need some real change here, not just lip service about reducing animal testing. Maybe it's time for someone in power to step up and say enough is enough.

omg u guyz... can't believe the NIH is still fundin cat expirments after they said they were gonna stop it! like, what's goin on here? it's so frustratin' to see them contradicting themselves like this. and btw, 60 kittens gettin their skulls removed & injected with viruses just for a study? that's straight up horrific! they need to reevaluate their priorities & find better ways to do research. I'm all for innovation & progress but not at the expense of innocent animals

omg u guys i'm literally SHOOK the NIH is still funding cat experiments like they're NOT even trying to phase out those projects?? $1.7 million new grants since July?! that's insane and what's with the studies on kittens? 60 of them are gonna have their skulls removed and injected with viruses before being killed?! that's just messed up i feel so bad for those little fur babies and don't even get me started on the gene therapy study... $439,000 is a lot of money to be throwing at animal suffering

man this is so messed up 1.7 million dollars for cat experiments? like what's next? funding dog cloning? the NIH should just come clean about it, they're not fooling anyone with that "legally constrained" excuse... they're just trying to save face and avoid all the backlash from people who care about animal welfare

Ugh I'm so done with these ppl at the NIH , I mean come on! They announce they're phasing out cat experiments but then go ahead and give out millions for more research? It's like they think we're all born yesterday... what even is the point of having a policy if you just ignore it?! And those poor little kittens , being used for some sick virus experiment where their skulls are removed and they get injected with viruses before being killed... it's just horrific. The watchdog group is totally right to call them out on this and I'm so glad someone like Justin Goodman is speaking truth to power . We need change now, not some half-hearted attempt to phase out animal testing. It's time for the NIH to get its act together and stop misleading us .

ugh come on NIH ... it's like they're not even trying to keep their word about phasing out cat experiments. i mean, $1.7 million for more tests on poor kitties? that's just messed up. and to think they're gonna kill 'em all after experimenting with them... it's just so cruel . i get that research is important and all, but can't we find other ways to test things without torturing animals? wcw is onto something here, imo . president trump should step in and put some pressure on the NIH to keep their promise. this isn't right .

I dont get why they still fund cat experiments ... like they say one thing but do another, it's all about the benjamins . I mean, have you seen those cute little kittens? They're just trying to live their best lives and then they end up in some lab getting injected with viruses . And for what? So we can learn more about human glaucoma or stroke recovery? It's all good science, I guess... but can't they find other ways to fund those studies? Like, have they considered crowd funding or something?

I'm soooo confused about this! Like, they just announced one day that they're gonna stop doing these cat experiments and then the next thing you know, they're funding even more stuff for cats . It's like, come on NIH! Make up your minds already . I mean, i get it, research is important and all, but can't we find other ways to do it that don't involve harming animals? I feel bad for those poor kittens who are gonna have their skulls removed and be killed just so some humans can study something . It's not right!

This is so crazy ! I'm all for finding alternative ways to study animals, but $1.7 million is a lot of $$$ ! And it's like the NIH is just trying to spin this and say they're phasing out cat experiments when really they're just not making a big enough deal about it . 60 kittens getting their skulls removed and killed over some viruses injections? That's just too much . I totally get why critics are upset and think the NIH should cancel all existing grants for cat testing and stop new ones altogether. It's time to get serious about finding better ways to do research without harming animals .