VICTORY! WSU Ends Deadly Surgeries on Goats and Sheep After PETA Campaign

For Immediate Release:
October 15, 2026

Contact:
Syndey Rader 202-483-7382

Following a sustained PETA campaign, including emails from tens of thousands of PETA supporters, Washington State University (WSU) eliminated the last large animal surgery course in its veterinary school, saving the lives of goats and sheep slated to die after veterinary students practiced invasive surgeries on them.

It’s the second consecutive victory for animals at the school. In March, the university canceled plans for a similar deadly surgery lab using horses after more than 36,000 PETA supporters and members of veterinary group Our Honor urged them to spare the eight healthy equines.

“Veterinary students should learn to heal animals, not practice cutting open and killing them,” says PETA Vice President of International Laboratory Methods Shalin Gala. “PETA celebrates WSU’s decision to end these deadly surgeries and give future veterinarians hands-on experience helping real patients.”

The university confirmed that veterinary students will gain surgical experience through supervised training in veterinary practices with animal patients who will recover from the procedures. The school is now looking at expanding these opportunities for students.

Goats and sheep are social individuals. Sheep can recognize faces, use facial expressions to communicate emotions, and form strong bonds with their flock. Goats develop lasting social relationships and communicate with one another through distinctive calls.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on” points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a goat is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.