Serious ethical issues with animal studies at BTS - Researcher BTS Research Employee Review

1.0
Aug 26, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I valued the hard working team of people I worked with and keep in touch to this day. You may make contacts that will help you get out of this place more quickly.

Cons

I often think back to this miserable time in my life and career and beyond the mistreatment of personnel at BTS, what haunts me are some of the 'studies' that were performed, merely because somebody had money on offer. It is likely that BTS was the last port of call for some of these 'studies' and that more reputable companies refused the opportunity. One that really sticks in my mind was assessment of a medical device in obese dogs. These dogs were kept in rabbit cages to keep them fat due to lack of activity. That's right - fully grown, obese dogs were kept in rabbit cages! There were other options proposed by several employees that with minimal cost would have given each dog a small run - but these were all refused by the owners who also interfered with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The refusal to give each dog a small run was purely financial and totally ignored animal welfare. The husbandry staff were supposed to let them out for one hour per day but that was not happening - every time I had to pass through that room, I had tears in my eyes as these dogs would way their tails, craving any type of contact. The husbandry staff who were meant to let them out easy day were the same ones who would not change a rabbit cage liner even though the pan was overflowing with urine - the reason was because it was not the scheduled day to change the pan liners! I had tears in my eyes in the rabbit room from the ammonia. Zero engagement. Zero cares given. These owners lack even the most basic understanding of study design and conduct and every decision on animal welfare is driven by money. Just money.

Explore other reviews about BTS Research

5.0
Mar 10, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company to grow and learn at a fast pace. One can really pick up a multitude of skills/technique on a wide variety of animals from mice to NHP. Throughout the years, I have had the chance to work along some phenomenal co-workers. There is plenty of work and the opportunity to develop your skillset is there it is up to one if they want to grow or stall. It also allows you to understand the importance of animal research. It also gives you access to be part of the tremendous work that goes behind a study from writing the protocol, ordering animals, ordering supplies, setting up the study binder's/study schedule, working side by side with the client, etc. If one demonstrates they are up for the challenge BTS Research will stimulate your career direction with all the tools necessary to succeed.

Cons

Not everyone that is hired is built for a CRO type of work, so unfortunately many come and go. This is not always a reflection of the company but more the individual that got hired that was not up for tasks. The amount of work and pace is not for everyone.

1
3.0
Apr 1, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Opportunity for overtime, husbandry experience, versatile animal experiences, my supervisor during this time was amazing and showed genuine care about their employees, learned so much

Cons

Lab work never stops, request days off very far in advance, and even then some of it wasn't honored well. This job is not for the faint of heart, research is hard to work in if you aren't comfortable with euthanasia

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