“Paramedics don’t need to cut open the throat of a pig when they have other options,” Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, told the The News Tribune regarding the University of Washington’s practice of using live pigs to practice a medical procedure that involves slitting their throats.
“I would like to see the university take responsibility and to search out different ways to solve these situations,” said Appleton, who is one of eight members of the state House who signed a letter asking the UW to consider using modern training methods instead of animals.
The university says it’s looking into it.
Let’s thank Rep. Appleton for publicly talking sense about this. Her number is (360) 786-7934, and her email address is sherry.appleton@leg.wa.gov.
Here are the other reps who signed the letter: Jessyn Farrell of Seattle, Strom Peterson of Edmonds, Judy Clibborn of Mercer Island, Cindy Ryu of Shoreline, Joan McBride of Kirkland, Joe Fitzgibbon of Seattle and Mia Gregerson of SeaTac.
The same week The Seattle Times reported that a macaque monkey at the UW died of thirst, The Baltimore Sun offered some hopeful news: Johns Hopkins, which runs the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, is now going to compare standard animal tests with more modern scientific methods that use human cells or computer models.
I used to think the end of animal testing — or, at least, most animal testing — was a no-brainer. It’s not emotionally tied to food, and people can surely understand that more accurate non-animal alternatives are better than inhumane treatment of animals.
But the propaganda is effective. Many people believe humans will die if animal testing stops, despite much evidence to the contrary — some of it self-evident.
How valuable do you think smoking tests on animals are? Do we not know the ill health effects of cigarettes? Yet the tests continue.
How about emotionally wrenching tests at the University of Wisconsin that showed monkeys prefer love to food? They’re at it again.
In an excellent report that gives a comprehensive outline of the issue, Meredith Cohn at The Baltimore Sun writes: “Many hope to decrease the number of drugs that show promise in animal testing but fail to prove safe and effective in human trials, failures that are costly and disappointing to pharmaceutical companies and researchers as well as to patients hoping for better therapies and cures. A drug trial for a promising Alzheimer’s drug failed in a large trials last year, for example.”
In 2015, more than 767,600 animals were used in research, Cohn reported. That’s according to data from a U.S. Department of Agriculture website that was recently taken down. That number included dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, primates and some farm animals.
It’s incredible that this hasn’t been done before, and thank heavens it’s happening now.
Next, how about someone stops the creation of these human-pig hybrids meant to carry human organs for transplant?
How much will it cost this time? SNBL USA has been slapped on the wrist for primate mistreatment before, in 2006 for a paltry $36,852 and in 2009 for an even more paltry $12,937.
Now the USDA has filed a nine-page complaint detailing the deaths of 38 primates in the company’s lab and breeding facility in Everett, north of Seattle, The Seattle Times reports. The “gravity of the violations… is great,” according to the complaint.
Incidents include:
That list of horrors highlights the importance of stopping research on primates and other animals, whose torment frequently produces no more useful medical information than tests that do not involve animals.
It also calls to mind the expanded animal research capabilities of the University of Washington’s new underground research lab, currently under construction.
And just to put icing on that nightmare cake, check out the photo the paper ran below the primate death story. Zoos and animal testing: Really, really outdated and cruel.
We’re ramping up for a busy week. Here’s a rundown of some of the ways you can get involved in the next few days.
Fri Nov 27 from 9am-11am
Vegan Outreach Downtown Seattle
Meet at 4th & Pine, in front of Starbucks
This is a chance to hand out vegan recipes and Why Vegan booklets to the crowds who will be congregating for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. People love the recipe books and it’s a great way to make a positive impact.
Fri Nov 27 from 11am-1pm
Fur Free Friday Downtown Seattle
Nordstrom Downtown Seattle, 500 Pine Street
After leafleting, it’s demo time! Hold a sign, hand out a flier, or simply be part of the group of people who oppose fur. There’s no need for cruelty in the 21st century.
Fri Nov 27 from 1pm-10pm
#BlackLivesMatterFriday 2.0 : The Quest For Freedom
Westlake Park, 401 Pine Street
After demos, let’s show solidarity with other groups. This event isn’t organized by NARN, but it’s important that we support our fellow activists. Oppression and injustices are rampant and we need to stand with others to make changes.
Sun Nov 29 from 6pm-9:30pm
No New Animal Lab Home Demos
Meet at Starbucks, 800 12th Ave, Seattle
This event isn’t organized by NARN, but we stand with the No New Animal Lab campaign and encourage you to attend protests at the houses of people involved in the plans to build a new underground animal lab at the University of Washington.
Tue Dec 1 from 6:30pm-8:30pm
NARN Letter Writing Party, Fur Free Friday Edition
Wayward Vegan Café, 801 NE 65th Street
Join NARN members, animal activists, and other vegans for a letter writing dinner at Wayward Café! We’ll be upstairs with stationery, stamps, and addresses. Just bring yourself!
Well, there’s no shortage of events in Seattle in the next week. Have a peaceful Thanksgiving, eat lots of delicious vegan food, and plug into the community however you can.
Wondering how you can help animals this weekend? Wonder no more. This weekend in jam-packed with amazing opportunities to help animals.
October 2nd (today)
Today is World Day for Farmed Animals. It’s a time to fast, learn, and educate others on the plight of the 10 billion animals this country eats every year.
This afternoon is the March on UW. At 2 pm, at The University of Washington’s Red Square, hundreds of animal rights activists will march against the university’s plans to build a new animal testing lab. Please join us!
This evening is the circus demo in Everett. Help us educate circus-goers that animals do not belong in the circus.
October 3rd (tomorrow)
Three more circus shows in Everett means we’ll have three more demos. Please join us from 10-11:30 am, from 3-3:30 pm, from 5:30-7 pm, or all of the times!
The Global March for Elephants, Rhinos, and Lions is happening from 1-2:30 pm tomorrow in downtown Seattle. The march starts at Westlake Center and is part of a worldwide effort to save wild animals from poaching.
October 4th (Sunday)
Another circus demo is Everett begins at 11:30 am. Please join us and let Ringling Bros. know that we won’t stand for animal abuse.
Help make the last circus demo of the year the biggest one ever. We know Ringling beats animals. From 3:30-5 pm, we’ll make sure ticketholders know too.
What: Rally against the proposed UW animal lab
Where: University of Washington, Red Square
When: This Saturday, April 25th, at 2 pm
The University of Washington is planning to expand their animal testing facilities. Come to the UW this Saturday and join a rally, demonstration, and march against these horrible plans.
Despite public opposition–and modern science and reason–UW is moving forward with the lab. Skanza, the construction company working with the university, has already cordoned off the area of the proposed lab.
If you oppose animal testing, please join the march on the University of Washington. THe event coincides with World Week for Animals in Laboratories, and will be a great chance to raise awareness of this issue.
Lauren Gazzola of the SHAC7 and Center for Constitutional Rights will be just one of the special speakers at the event.
Stop the lab!
For more info , see the event invitation on facebook, and check out the group organizing the event, No New Animal Lab.
NARN would like to pass along important information from the No New Animal Lab Campaign:
The University of Washington continues to invest in outdated animal research methods. Animal labs throughout the world have been shutting down but the UW, on the other hand, has decided to spend over $123 million on building a new animal research facility.
The University of Washington’s history of using animals in research includes being fined by the USDA for allowing a primate to starve to death, citations for performing unauthorized experiments on primates, and evidence of primates engaging in self-mutilation. The UW uses and kills thousands of animals—primates, mice, pigs, rabbits, cats, and others—every year, and they all suffer and die behind closed doors.
It is time for the University of Washington to join the growing trend towards no longer using animals in research.
Stand up and tell the University of Washington and Skanska, the construction company that currently has the contract to build the lab, that we will not stand for a new larger animal research lab.
Check out the No New Animal Lab Facebook page for event info and email info@nonewanimallab.com if you have any questions. For more information about the campaign, or to help organize demos, visit NoNewAnimalLab.com.
Where: Skanska USA Building 221 Yale Ave N Ste 400, Seattle, Washington 98109
Skanska USA is slated to begin construction of the new underground lab at the University of Washington as early as April, and it is especially important that activists in the Seattle area get involved in stopping it.
We will meet at 2:00 PM at the site of the proposed lab to discuss the campaign and what will happen to animals if we don’t stop this lab from being built. With the urgency of saving animals from hell in a new lab in our minds, we will then go to the houses of several different people who are key players in the plans to build the new lab. At each house, we will have a protest that will bring the message of NO NEW ANIMAL LAB to front doors.
Join us. The clock is ticking on the building of the new animal lab. The time is now to stop it…. What are you going to do?
Another Friday demo at the Skanska Seattle office (Skanska USA Office, 221 Yale Ave N Ste 400)
BE THERE!
Have you called Skanza yet? Please join two groups–Don’t Expand UW Primate Testing and Portland Animal Liberation–for an important campaign to help animals.
From the campaign’s Facebook page:
Skanska USA is contracted to build the University of Washington’s new Animal Research and Care Facility, so it’s time to tell them to not build it! If they don’t build the lab, animals can’t be tortured in it — it’s that simple. So let’s show Skanska USA how simple it is.
You can take action right now by calling and emailing Skanksa USA to tell them to pull their contracts with UW. Let Skanska know that you and many more say NO NEW ANIMAL LAB!
CALL
Sample script:
“Hi, I’m calling to ask that you all not build the new Animal Research and Care Facility for the University of Washington. Please cut your contract with the UW. Thank you.”
Seattle Office Phone Numbers:
Main Office: 206-726-8000
James McReynolds, Senior Project Manager: 206-494-5489
Jay Weisberger, Director, Communications West: 206-494-5469
Jim Bradford, Project Superintendent: 206-616-1883
Dan Howell, Vice President of NW Operations: 206-494-5421
New York Headquarters Phone Numbers:
New York, NY, USA Headquarters: 917-438-4500
Queens, NY, Civil Headquarters: 718-340-0777
Parsippany, NY, Building Headquarters: 973-753-3500
* Even if the offices hang up on you, it’s important to call! Please be polite though so we can get an effective message across.
Sample script:
Dear [Skanska contact],
I am writing to express my concern and opposition to your involvement with the animal research indu…stry. According to reports from the University of Washington, Skanska USA is scheduled to begin construction this April on the UW’s new Animal Research and Care Facility at 1450 NE Boat Street, Seattle.
The University of Washington’s history of using animals in research includes being fined by the USDA for allowing a primate to starve to death, citations for performing unauthorized experiments on primates, and evidence of primates engaging in self-mutilation. The UW uses and kills thousands of animals—primates, dogs, mice, pigs, rabbits, cats, and others—each year, even though animal labs throughout the world have been shutting down due to public pressure, citations for the abuse and neglect of animals, activists’ exposure of the horrific conditions of labs, and a realization that the future of science is in innovative methods that produce more accurate results than using animals.
If Skanska USA builds this new facility for the University of Washington, you will be entangling your company with the UW’s proven, and very public, record of animal cruelty. I implore you to break your contract with UW. Do not follow through with construction of the facility. Do not involve yourself with the animal research industry any further.
A company that claims to be committed to the environment should not dirty its hands with the blood and waste of vivisection.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]Seattle Office Email Addresses:
jay.weisberger@skanska.com,
don.kowalchuk@skanska.com,
jim.bradford@skanska.com,
judy.gerber@skanska.com,
lew.guerrette@skanska.com,
peter.avratin@skanska.com,
james.mcreynolds@skanska.com,
chris.toher@skanska.com,
lisa.picard@skanska.com,
tony.taddeo@skanska.com,
dan.howell@skanska.com,
alan.dunbar@skanska.com,
phillip.goodman@skanska.com,
murphy.mccullough@skanska.com,
eric.temp@skanska.com,
mark.howell@skanska.com,
kevin.mccain@skanska.com,
brian.smedley@skanska.com,
jamie.armintrout@skanska.com
New York Headquarters Email Addresses:
michael.mcnally@skanska.com,
bill.flemming@skanska.com,
richard.cavallaro@skanska.com,
mats.johansson@skanska.com,
karl.reichelt@skanska.com,
larry.casey@skanska.com,
richard.aquino@skanska.com,
nicole.didda@skanska.com,
andre.lofgren@skanska.com,
catherine.pfeiffenberger@skanska.com
Visit NoNewAnimalLab.com for more information or contact info@nonewanimallab.com
Please join the people at “Don’t Expand UW Primate Testing” for a phone and email action.
All week, from November 9th through 13th, people are needed to call the Regents at UW. Here are details from the Don’t Expand US Primate Testing Facebook event:
In what appears to be an attempt to try to get around Don’t Expand UW Primate Testing’s lawsuit against the University of Washington Board of Regents for a secret decision to approve a new Animal Research and Care Facility, the Regents’ agenda for their Regular Meeting this week includes: “Approve Construction of the ARCF Project at the Preferred Site Underneath Portage Bay Vista.”
Leading up to the Regents’ last vote on the animal lab, people called and emailed them at the Regent phone number and email address. But since that time, we have learned that the Regents did not get those messages. Rather than take the time to learn about people’s concerns about the lab, the Regents let their office just pass the messages over to the UW’s animal research department to send their biased replies to people.
So leading up to the Regents’ vote on the new lab this week, we’re going to make sure that they hear from the concerned public. Please call and email them at their direct phone numbers and email addresses to tell them that they need to do their jobs and actually learn about all the reasons to NOT approve construction of a new animal research facility, and ask them to vote NO on building the new facility.
Remember to keep your calls and emails polite and on point! After you call and email, please post about what the response was!
Board Chair, William S. Ayer
Call: 425-641-9976
Board Vice Chair, Patrick M. Shanahan
Email: patrick.m.shanahan@boeing.com
Board President, Kristianne Gates Blake
Email: kristib@ptera.net, kristib@msn.com
Jeremy Jaech
Email: j_jaech@hotmail.com
Rogelio Riojas
Email: rogelioriojas@seamarchc.org
Marnie Brown
Email: stureg@uw.edu
Contact her through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marnie.brown.39
Joanne R. Harrell
Email her husband, Seattle City Council member Bruce Harrell: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
Regent Office Info
Phone: 206-543-1633
Email: regents@uw.edu
Regent Staff Info
Email: joangold@u.washington.edu
UW President Office Info
Phone: 206-543-5010
Email: pres@uw.edu
UW President Staff Info
Email: rolfbj@uw.edu, jcjmail@uw.edu, rachelno@uw.edu
Did you know that the Puget Sound area is a bastion of primate captivity, torture, poison, and death. Seattle is home to three University of Washington primate laboratories, including the nations only infant primate laboratory, there is a primate testing breeding, importing, and consulting firm in Edmonds, and Everett is home to a third-party animal clinical trial facility that tests on primates and other non-human animals.
Primate Liberation Week is a time for us all to take pause in our lives and think about the “someones not somethings” that currently suffer scared and sick behind bars, in dark cages, experiencing heart breaking horrors in the name of science. Please join us to speak out for our cousins, help educate the public on why animal experimentation is not good for people or animals, and hold animal abusers accountable. [N = NARN hosted event]
Someone, not something. These are primates in a UW laboratory.
If these events don’t fit in your schedule, there are other opportunities to volunteer. We need help with volunteers to hold banners for a few mornings during the week and to help table at the UW if you are a student or have expertise in primates. Please get in touch with us.