All you really need to do is to imagine that your pet was taken into some research facility, held against his will, and brought out only to have noxious chemicals placed in his eyes or on his skin. It's not a pleasant thought, but it happens regularly. An image such as this is designed to serve a purpose. These animals suffer and only we can help them. But please remember, research does not equal cruelty.
Research is important and often benign.
It is necessary to gather information and insure the safety and efficacy of new products and treatments. The key point is that it often does not have to be done at the expense of animals. If you are interested, there is already a grass roots organization in place.