I wanted to post this somewhere to spread the word about animal testing by pet food companies. I am not a member of PETA, but I don't agree with animal testing.

http://www.buav.org/campaigns/petfood/companies.html

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

Video:
http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=iams

It has made me think twice before buying certain brands of pet food.

Right on, Karen. We are a very animal-friendly family (Lindsey thinks dogs are the superior species to humans, and sometimes I agree with her), and I appreciate you using the Forum to help spread the word about animal testing, KFC, and related topics.

While there is a lot of animal testing that is going on that is not necessary (we all know what happens when we get bleach in our eyes, we don't need to keep testing that theory) there is research going on that is necessary to use animals and nutrition is a big one. There are strict standards that pet food companies must meet and before a new formula is relesased for sale to the public, it must be tested. WOuld you want to feed your pet something that may have a harmful formulation and as a result, it dies from a vitamin or mineral toxicity or deficiency. I have a very hard time believing anything that PETA puts out because it is usually over-exaggerated and their priorities are a little messed up. No, I'm not some cruel heartless monster that hates animals, in fact, I've been a registered veterinary technician for 16 years and the past 8 years, have been involved in medical and nutritional research and in the teaching of veterinary students and veterinary technician students.

I understand the reason behind testing pet food, but I don't see that it is necessary to be cruel and inhumane to the animals. Animals have just as many feelings as people do. How can the people in these testing facilities live with themselves at the end of the day?

Most animal rights organizations tend to exaggerate and use hot phrases and words to blow situations out of proportion. They also take pictures and use captions with them to play up the sympathy to thier cause, not caring about accuracy. Thats how they gain attention to their organization. I just finished reading the BVAV report on Pedigree. I found nothing in its report to be cruel or inhumane. Go to any animal shelter or rescue organization and you will probably find animals in worse conditions than that!!

How do I live with myself at the end of the day??? I am proud to be on the leading edge of research that will make the future a better place for our pets and if animals have to die to save my pets or myself or someone's child, then so be it. Oh and BTW...I'm in great favor of medical testing on death row inmates too.

I'm not going to turn this into a public pissing contest. If anyone has anything they want to debate with me on this issue, take it to private messaging.

I agree Ron, I do think that dogs are far superior to people, which is why I tend to hang with my dogs more than people, lol.

As for the testing thing, I agree that sometimes it's probably too much, but then again, sometimes it's necessary. I would rather there be less cruelty towards animals in general, even beyond research. I get so tired of seeing dogs and cats just running loose out in the street. It's pathetic. I do keep mine inside, but they also qet tons of outside time too, just supervised (I don't trust my neighborhood.) As for the research stuff, I dunno, it makes sense testing certain things to ensure that the public won't die from it. Of course, I'm in agreement that death row inmates should be priority one in the use of lab research, but then I tend to be a pretty extreme individual when it comes to that topic, hehe. This is a subject like politics, religion, and abortion: too many people disagree and feel passionately about it, and it causes too much tension. Just my .02, though.

well here is another websight that is cruel and inhumane treatment of cats these people are sick if they think this is a great decoration or a way to keep a pet .www.bonsaikitten.com At first when I saw the pictures I thought this has to be some kind of bad joke but its not , check it out and see if you agree with me . I am not part of PETA either but this kind of treat ment to animals is so wrong if they can do it to innocent animals how long will it be before they try it to people. I know I am a lover of animals and my cats are like my babies and so were my dogs when I had them wish I could save them all. OK I am done bitching for now .

Yeah, I've seen that site before. Hate it.

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH METALQUEEN ON PART. THE REASON BEING THAT ONE METHOD ON MAKING THE ANTIVENIN FOR SNAKE BITES WAS/IS TO MILK THE VENOM FROM A SNAKE AND INJECT SOME OF IT INTO A HORSE. THE HORSES' IMMUNE SYSTEM WOULD CREATE AN IMMUNITY TO THE VENOM THEN BLOOD WOULD BE DRAWN TO MAKE THE ANTIVENIN...WHICH INTURN HAS SAVED MANY LIVES.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: THERE IS A MAN THAT HAS RAN THE MIAMI SERPENTARIUM FOR DECADES. HE HAS MILKED THE VARIOUS SNAKES THERE TO MAKE THE ANTIVENIN. HE STARTED IN THE EARLY YEARS, INJECTING SMALL DOSES OF VARIOUS SNAKE VENOM INTO HIMSELF WITH THE IDEA OF BUILDING A TOLORANCE TO THE VENOMS. HE HAS BEEN BITEN AND SURVIVED OVER 100 BITES IN HIS CAREER!

I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF THE WAYS ANIMALS ARE USED IN TESTING OF A PRODUCT BUT UNTIL A BETTER WAY IS DEVELOPED...THE TESTING STILL HAS TO BE DONE.

PEACE,
TROY

but some are so not needed we know what happens when we get bleach in are eyes or when we drink to much or smoke its not the animals choice to have these tests done to them and i do understand that some things are necessary but to blind bunnies for the same shampoo test is just wrong some of these tests are just terrible and not always necessary.

I agree that we are not the "superior" species on the planet. We are only the most dangerous.

[Edited on 8-30-2005 by lilith]

I ALSO AGREE WITH YOU, TRACEY. SOME TEST ARE VERY BARBARIC AND SADISTIC IN NATURE AND COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR. THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY COIN. BOTH GOOD AND BAD.

PEACE,
T-ROY

I have to agree with you Troy that most of these tests are extremely inhumane and just down right wrong. I used to own several pets at one time and like Tracey said earier they were like my children. I sometimes would go without food for myself just to make sure that I had enough money to be able to buy their food and supplies. Im not sure what kind of person that makes me but I think it is a very caring and understanding one!! Ok Im done bitching for now as well!!

Where I work they use pigs to do endoscopic surgeries on to train physicians how to use the medical devices. I agree with MetlQueen - sometimes to further medical technology, animals have to be used. Pigs organs from what I am told mostly resemble that of a human so that the surgeons can learn how to safely use the devices on their patients. If they weren't practicing on pigs, they would be practicing on you essentially when they got you into the OR suite.

With everything, there are pros and cons, and PETA totally uses inflammatory images and "hot words" to garner public outcry. The duty of the listener is to do their own research and make an informed opinion.

I am a big softie when it comes to animals, but I know that if they weren't used for training then humans could be harmed by a surgeon's lack of knowledge on how to properly use a surgical device.

Hey Fet,
I'm a huge animal lover as well. Back in the 70s, my grandmother was one of the first patients in the U.S. to receive heart valves that came from a pigs' heart. It saved her life and she lived another 10 years before passing away.
Sometimes research on animals saves lives. It's the cruel experiments that are uncalled for.
Peace,
Troy

I agree with the cruel experiments, but then again...each of us have to research what is presented to us and not take for "face value" that it is, as it is. I love animals, and knowing that they do surgeries on them here really breaks my heart, but I don't dwell on the bad. I think about the good that the animal sacrifice brings about. I guess it's really on how you choose to look at the situation.