November 24, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) is closely monitoring reports regarding a directive for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to end its primate research program. Changes to federal agency animal research programs require extensive preparation, specialized expertise, and long-term resources to safeguard the welfare of these animals and protect the integrity of ongoing public health research. As the process moves forward, AMP encourages agencies to collaborate with laboratory animal experts and engage in careful planning that supports safe and compassionate outcomes. Our full statement is available here, and below.

Statement from Americans for Medical Progress on Responsible Primate Retirement Planning

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) affirms the critical importance of responsibly rehoming and retiring eligible animals involved in research and recognizes the extensive planning, resources, and expertise required to do so safely. The reported directive for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to end primate research and retire its current colony raises significant biomedical, logistical, and financial concerns that warrant careful consideration.

While details remain unclear at this stage, poorly planned transitions—including premature study termination—can place animals at serious risk and may undermine years of scientific investment intended to strengthen public health preparedness and advance lifesaving medical progress. Responsible animal retirement should be shaped by scientific expertise and welfare considerations, not by arbitrary timelines or expectations that do not reflect the needs of the animals.

Ensuring the long-term welfare of nonhuman primates demands more than simply identifying a new location. These animals have complex medical, behavioral, and social needs that require lifelong professional support, specialized facilities, individualized care planning, and stable financial resources. Although rehoming is always the preferred outcome when it can be achieved safely, it is not appropriate or possible for every animal. Age, medical conditions, social compatibility, and transport risks must guide these decisions on an individualized basis.

Organizations receiving these animals must demonstrate the capacity to maintain high standards of care, including veterinary expertise, adequate staffing levels, appropriate housing, and sustained funding. Many sanctuaries do not currently have this infrastructure and expertise, nor are they subject to the same regulatory requirements as federal and accredited research facilities.

AMP urges federal agencies to prioritize transparency, engage collaboratively with affected stakeholders, and ensure decisions are informed by the expertise of veterinarians, behaviorists, and animal care professionals. Our community shares a common goal: supporting every animal in receiving the safest and most compassionate outcome possible. Honoring this commitment requires preparation and principled decision-making informed by evidence, expertise, and realistic capacity.