Rabbits are commonly used for different experiments – they are mild, gentle creatures, cheap to maintain, so it is easy to handle them.
In the U.S. alone, about 100 million animals are used for tests and experiments on a yearly basis – including rabbits. Laboratories test different chemicals, cosmetics, and medical devices. One of the most notorious tests on rabbits is called Draize test, during which animals are completely restraint and chemicals are dripped on their shaved and scraped skin or in their eye. The purpose of the test is to assess the irritation potential of materials that might accidentally come in contact with human eyes, such as household and office products, agricultural or environmental chemicals, and volatile organic compounds. It is a very cruel and painful practice.
