No Pets in Research: Underground market in lost pets
TORONTO, May 24, 2018 /CNW/ - Did you know that in Ontario over 5000 lost pets a year are taken from pounds and shelters by researchers to be used for experimental purposes? In just 5 years, over 25,000 pets have simply disappeared into research facilities.
"We are fighting to end this cruel and outdated practice," said Ainslie Willock, No Pets In Research campaign manager. "Our television commercial on CBC Newsworld exposes the issue and encourages Ontario voters to ask their candidates to commit to end the use of pets in research."
"Pet dogs and cats are cherished family members and deserve to be protected when they're lost," Willock continued. "Municipal taxpayers pay for the sheltering and care of lost pets in their communities. They pay for them to be returned home or adopted or as a last resort, humanely euthanized. Instead the researchers exploit the municipalities by taking their shelter animals."
"The Green Party has already taken a strong position in its platform against the use of lost pets in research and we encourage the other three major parties to do the same," said Liz White, Director Animal Alliance of Canada. "We are running radio ads and canvassing for the Green Party leader, Mike Schreiner who is running in the riding of Guelph. In addition to the TV commercials, we are canvassing in the ridings of Doug Ford, Andrea Horwath and Kathleen Wynne."
According to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), researchers can take lost pets from pounds, humane societies and rescue groups. Pets can be picked up in municipalities without dog and cat by-laws and given to research facilities, even if these animals are not lost or abandoned. Humane societies can turn over lost pets under the 'donated by owner' category (www.animalalliance.ca/appendixd/).
"OMAFRA staff has provided multiple opportunities for the researchers to exploit lost pets," said White. "The Ontario Animals for Research Act does not protect lost pets and their families. The Act ensures a constant supply of cheap research subjects for research establishments. Ontario politicians, government employees, municipalities and research facilities are complicit in the underground market in Ontario's lost pets. We want our pets protected not exploited."
For more information visit nopetsinresearch.ca
SOURCE Animal Alliance of Canada
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