A petition with more than 15,000 signatures has been presented at Parliament calling for all lab research animals to be put up for adoption before euthanasia is considered.
New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society campaign manager Cressida Wilson said too many animals were needlessly dying.
"Currently, it's up to researchers whether they want to re-home animals after research. The vast majority do not."
Ms Wilson said more than 100,000 animals were put down each year, and it should be mandatory for them to be put up for adoption before euthanasia is considered.
"We just want to give animals who survive testing a chance to become a loved family member."
