Objective To compare the license issuance and status of administration of laboratory animals in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in the last five years, and to study the status of laboratory animal license management and industry development level in the two provinces. Methods Taking a combination of current status investigation, literature search, information collection and comparative analysis, to study the similarities and differences in the annual issuance of laboratory animal licenses, level of environmental facility, type of institution division, regional distribution of institutions, etc. in the two provinces over the last five years. Results Over the past five years, the total number of the issued laboratory animal licenses and approved institutions in Jiangsu province are significantly more than in Zhejiang province. The proportion of barrier environmental facilities in Jiangsu is slightly higher than that in Zhejiang. Laboratory animal institutions cover most areas of the provinces, relatively concentrated in the capital cities and economically developed cities. The business type institutions account for the highest percentage in the two provinces. Animal species in the two provinces are approximately the same. Conclusions The industrial structure of the laboratory animals in Jiangsu province is more perfect than that in Zhejiang province. Industrialization and socialization get a higher degree in Jiangsu province. The range of regular species of the laboratory animals needs to be further expanded. The competent departments need further optimize and promote license management system of the laboratory animals.