A $10 million Pentagon contract for grotesque experiments on cats has been canceled, thanks to a fierce campaign by White Coat Waste and activist Laura Loomer.
At a Glance
- The Department of Defense canceled a $10M contract for controversial cat experiments
- Tests included rectal insertions and electroshock under guise of medical research
- Activists Laura Loomer and White Coat Waste led the charge against the experiments
- Bipartisan outrage and celebrity support, including Elon Musk and Sen. Rand Paul, fueled the backlash
- The move advances Trump-era goals of eliminating taxpayer-funded animal testing
From Lab to Outrage
In one of the most stunning activist wins of the year, the Department of Defense has canceled a $10 million contract with the University of Pittsburgh that funded gruesome experiments on cats. Under the banner of research into constipation and erectile dysfunction, cats were subjected to shocking procedures—literally. These included inserting balloons and marbles into their rectums and administering electroshock therapy.
The outrage was swift. Investigative exposés from White Coat Waste (WCW), an advocacy group fighting taxpayer-funded animal testing, fueled public anger. The organization’s relentless pressure campaign rallied MAGA leaders, libertarians, and progressives alike, transforming obscure lab abuse into a national issue.
The Activists Who Made It Happen
Laura Loomer’s digital crusade spotlighted the animal cruelty and questioned why public money was funneled into such practices. WCW’s smaller budget didn’t deter its impact—it had already played a pivotal role in shutting down the NIH’s last in-house dog lab. Now, it adds another victory to its roster: ending a Pentagon-backed cat torture program.
Watch a report: WCW Declares Victory Over DOD Cat Lab
Celebrity and political voices chimed in. Elon Musk tweeted his support, and Senator Rand Paul included the project in his Festivus waste report, citing it as a glaring example of government excess.
A Shift in Animal Testing Policy
The canceled contract is not just a win for cats—it’s a turning point in federal animal testing. Under the Trump administration, agencies like the FDA and EPA were already instructed to begin phasing out outdated and inhumane animal tests. This move by the DOD aligns with that broader shift toward more ethical, modern methods.
Dr. Marty Makary, Trump’s FDA commissioner, supported the pivot, stating, “This kind of animal testing for human drugs is outdated and inefficient.”
The activists’ message is clear: tax dollars should never fund torture. And after years of dismissals and deflections, their voices have finally been heard.
