I also decided to ask the Massachusetts Society for Prevention to Cruely to Animals (MSPCA), if they were involved, and what their opinion was on this issue.
Here is my conversation with them through email.
May 29 2003 My email to the M.S.P.C.A
Dear Elaine Birkholz,
It was suggested to me, that I contact you with my concerns.
I had aquired knowledge that stated the A.S.P.C.A. had worked with certain companies on trying to establish the least cruel tests done on animals. After I conversed with them, I decided to ask you the same question. Here is my conversation with the M.S.P.C.A. so far;
May 27, 2003 - My email to the M.S.P.C.A.
From: Mr. Corey Paul Mondello
To: enews@mspca.org
I was wondering if you are affiliated with the ASPCA?
Corey Paul Mondello
Boston, MA
May 28, 2003 - M.S.P.C.A. reply
From: Lupica, Molly
To: 'Mr. Corey Paul Mondello'
Dear Mr. Mondello,
Thank you for your inquiry. Although we share the last half of our name, we are not affiliated with the ASPCA. They are based in New York. The Massachusetts SPCA was founded in 1868 and remains one of the oldest humane organizations around the world. With its seven shelters, 3 veterinary hospitals, law enforcement division, and advocacy department, the MSPCA gives hands-on care to over 250,000 animals each year.
Sincerely,
Molly Lupica
MSPCA
May 28, 2003 - My email to the M.S.P.C.A.
From: Mr. Corey Paul Mondello
To: Lupica, Molly
Molly,
Thank you for the quick reply. I aks this question, because it was brought to my attention that the ASPCA is aligning itself with IAMS and Procter & Gamble. They state it is to help this company come up with less-painful and/or non-animal research. I woud give them a pat on the back, but I am sure they are aware that other P&G companies use animals in experiements that are not even needed by government standards.
So in other words, I stopped supporting the ASPCA and just wanted to see if I would do the same to the MSPCA. I have been to the MSPCA website, and understand you are against using animals in research. Could you please elaborate.
Thank you,
Corey Paul Mondello
Boston, MA
May 29 2003 - M.S.P.C.A. reply
Dear Mr. Mondello,
I think it would be helpful for you to speak to someone at our affiliate, the Center for Lab Animal Welfare (CLAW) regarding this issue. You can check out their site at www.labanimalwelfare.org or email Elaine Birkholz at ebirkholz@mspca.org .
Best,
Molly
I went to the suggested website; www.labanimalwelfare.org and found out that the MSPCA had worked with companies to educate them and help them to change some of their animal research practices, as did the ASPCA.
My concern is, that these companies are still using animals in research, that is not needed from a governmental standpoint. In other words, animals are still being used in research, where they do not need to be.
Could you please tell me what is id the MSPCA is doing to try to educate these companies on this situation?
Thank you,
Corey Paul Mondello
May 29 2003
Boston, MA
Here is some reference material;
1) Excerpt from PETA report: http://www.uncaged.co.uk/news/2003/iams.htm
"Our investigator videotaped Iams dogs being dumped on cold concrete flooring after having huge chunks of muscle cut out of their thighs; a co-worker instructing her to hit the dogs on the chest if they quit breathing; another co-worker talking about an Iams dog found dead in his cage, bleeding from his mouth; a dog limping in pain from Lyme disease; cruel studies done by Iams involving sticking tubes down dogs' throats to force them to ingest vegetable oil; Iams dogs with such severe tartar buildup on their teeth that it was painful for them to eat; vet technicians with inadequate training and experience performing invasive procedures; two co-workers conducting a pregnancy test on a terrified dog lying on top of a cart with wheels that moved every time she struggled; dogs and cats gone stir crazy from confinement; dogs and cats in windowless, dungeon-like buildings; co-workers talking about the live kitten who was washed down a drain; co-workers talking about how they had to go home because the ammonia fumes in the animal trailers were so overpowering that it made their eyes burn (try being one of the animals in those cages!); and cats kept in a cinderblock room with crude wooden "resting" boards that had nails sticking out of them. One of the boards fell on a cat, crushing her to death, while our investigator was there. The lab director did not remove the boards when the cat was crushed but he did remove them when he was told the lab was going to be inspected because he knew they were illegal."
2) From Iams Kills- http://www.iamskills.com
"Unbelievable as it sounds, the Iams Co., manufacturer of the Iams/Eukanuba line of quality dog and cat foods, has been harming and even killing dogs and cats, claiming to make a better brand of pet food. In dozens of painful and invasive experiments, hundreds of dog and cats just like your animal companion, were made to suffer and sometimes die in the name of "nutrition research." These experiments were not designed to help the animals involved. These innocent victims were all healthy animals who were used simply as disposable objects.
3) From P&G Kills- http://www.pandgkills.com/main.html
P&G refuses to stop testing its products on animals, despite the fact that these tests are not required by any law, and despite the fact that more reliable and humane alternatives do exist;
http://www.pandgkills.com/facts/cosmetic_testing.html#non_animal_tests
http://www.pandgkills.com/facts/cosmetic_testing.html#non_animal_tests
