How do animals for dissection die ? Biology class?!

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It really depends on the animal. The ones you listed are probably euthanized. The cats and dogs usually come from the pound, the larger ones come from farms.

That would depend on the specific animal For basic bio, like dissecting frogs, chloroform or a milder form of cyanide can be used. The animal is left paralyzed and and brain dead. (brain death is what is used to determine if an animal/human is still living or not) though it's heart and other organs may still be animate. For larger animals such as piglets, dogs, cats etc, they are commonly killed using the same methods though a percentage of them did die of natural causes. Dogs and cats from animal shelters that have been euthanized are also used for biology classes. The exception is if the animal is suspected to have died from a (communicable) disease or if the animal is no longer whole (for example it has been run over by a car etc)

Be aware that statistically, animals "infant" death and natural death rates are astronomically high compared to humans. For example only 1 in 3 bear cubs will survive their first two years, only one crocodile/alligator in 80 eggs in a normal clutch will survive their first year. In fact most will die a violent death before and right after they hatch. Other animals do not far much better.

If you have moral objections to dissecting an animal, talk to your teacher/professor as early as possible. He/she may have other options for you that will still let you get the grade you need.

It is estimated that 170 types of animals or more are used for dissection or vivisection (i.e. experimented upon while still alive). The animals come from various sources such as: their natural habitat, animal breeders and dealers, pounds, shelters, ranches, and slaughterhouses. Live and dead animals are bought from these sources by biological supply companies from which educators purchase laboratory specimens. For instance, people who 'fish' will sell fish and sharks to biological suppliers. Cats and dogs, who have been euthanized in shelters or pounds or otherwise acquired by animal dealers, are also sold to suppliers.

Animals are also obtained as 'byproducts' of extremely cruel industries. For instance, slaughterhouses provide fetal pigs, and fur farms sell skinned mink, foxes, and rabbits. Most of these animals led deprived or otherwise miserable lives and die in agony. Common methods of killing include: suffocation, anal electrocution, drowning, gas chambers, or euthanasia.

Because these animals are considered mere objects or products, the lack of quality care, handling, and treatment often leads to trauma, injury, or premature death. For example, live animals are often shipped in overcrowded packaging, which leads to injury, food deprivation, dehydration, and/or suffocation. These animals also can be exposed to extreme temperatures and rough handling.

In order to better assure that animals are obtained in a legal manner and cared for properly, some warm-blooded animals are protected under the United States Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency that enforces the AWA. The AWA requires that animal dealers be licensed as Class 'A' or Class 'B' dealers and that facilities operated by these dealers be inspected by the USDA. Class 'A' dealers are animal breeders. Class 'B' dealers may also breed animals, but also purchase and re-sell live and/or dead animals. Class 'B' dealers procure animals in a number of different ways including from 'random sources,' such as the aforementioned sources which can include unclaimed 'stray' animals, 'free to a good home' ads, or former companion animals sold by some pounds or shelters.

Class 'B' dealers may sell these animals to companies such as biological supply companies (who are also considered Class 'B' dealers under the AWA definition). Most of the animals obtained for dissection are bought from biological supply companies. The largest ones carry over 100 different species of animals from horseshoe crabs to dogfish sharks, from snakes to mink, from embalmed dogs to skinned, pregnant cats.

i would think that it wouldn't be a natural death because everyone in the class gets the same thing. some classes in at my old high school used fetal pigs so if it's anything like that i would think it would have to be unnatural.

If i were you i would talk to your teacher now to see if you can get an alternative assignment instead of bringing it up very close to the assignment. good luck!

The animals are euthanized in a humane manner. I seriously doubt that you're going to dissect a cow or a hog. If you do, I'm sure they died a natural death because they are very expensive animals. Many labs use research mice because they're are pretty cheap and widely available.

Don't let the extremists on this page shake you up. They're just ignorant.

I think the most common method of killing is chloroform inhalation.

Vegetarian since 1984, I had to dissect a chloroformed rat for Anatomy and Physiology class when I was a new vegetarian. I didn't like the idea, but I went through with it. I had been out of work for years and I was determined to get a college degree.

Way back when, when I did zoology dissection (80s), the animals (all the way up to cat) were gassed en masse.
I don't know if it's still that way. Probably now they just take the already euthanized animals and sell them to the schools.

They are neither euthanized, nor is it a natural death, unless murder is natural... the brutal truth is that they are basically pinned down dissected alive for the most part.

Does it really matter? They're still dying. Talk to your teacher about alternatives, even if it's mandatory.