Helping the Helpless

[kimarama]

This weekend, I went to a local meeting of the Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare group. My hope was to find some way of helping with the serious issues being addressed legislatively by this organization to help animals in Virginia. I quickly realized that, as someone who doesn't live in the redneck Southern part of the state, I'm virtually

Comments

[popculturespong]

I just wanted to comment that I think that this is really admirable. I remember you posting about the issue a few months ago, and found it a very worthy cause. I don't remember the specifics of it though: how are these animals gased? I only ask because I've recently become slightly more educated in the area: I'm enrolled in a college course that involves using rats as subjects for nutritional neuroscience testing. The rats are euthanized at the end of the study, which really upset me. I'm still not okay with it, but it was explained to me that the method of gasing them through carbon dioxide is considered the best and most humane way to dispose of lab animals. Of course, this is not the same as cats or dogs, but whether I think their moral reasoning for KILLING them is sound or not (I don't know why they can't pass them onto another study--well, I do know why: they give their fat to the chemistry department for cancer research), I believe that they are aware of the best option for euthanizing them.

[kimarama]

The animals in Virginia are gassed in archaic chambers. The state has very strict regulations about how the animals are to be gassed but, the rural districts that still gas animals (there are 4 of them) don't follow the guidelines. The animals are supposed to be sedated and separated by breed but...they just toss them in altogether. The animals are terrified and usually start fighting with each other. I understand a large percentage of them also defecate in the chamber. It is truly a horrible method of mass euthanasia.

As for gassing lab animals, my guess is that most universities are relatively humane in their euthanasia methods (unlike the rednecks in the rural parts of my state). Carbon dioxide is a fairly painless method as the animals just go to sleep.

[briary_flower]

I'm sorry it took a while to get around to commenting on this, but I wanted to tell you I think this is a great project. I can tell you're really passionate about this, and I think you've made a good start. Figuring out where to begin is always the hardest part. Don't let yourself get demoralized. This is important, and every little bit helps. Please update us on your progress!