My Reasons

There are two words that require little explanation yet conjure up disturbing images: Animal experiments. 

They cover an issue that I’ve strongly opposed for many years – ever since in High School I learned that shampoos and lipsticks were tested on rabbits to measure their safety. I was abhorred. And I saved my pocket money especially to purchase cruelty free products, which in those days were few and far between (not to mention expensive for a young high school student).

I knew way back then that one day I would dedicate my life to ending such a cruel practice (I was yet to learn that it was also scientifically flawed). However my naïve understanding was that it would entail breaking into laboratories and ending up in jail – and I wasn’t ready for that! Thankfully I have since learned that there are other – far better – ways to advocate for lab animals that are actually within the law, and so I have found myself living the life I had forseen as a child – working to end animal experiments – albeit legally.

People often thank me, and the team at HRA, for what we do. But they also ask how we can we do it, knowing what horrors occur behind lab doors?

Yes, we do know what happens. We advocate against it, but we are not witness to it. Instead, our work involves reading through scientific journals, writing government submissions, presenting to the wider community and many other ways of raising awareness and lobbying for change, but it helps sometimes to be reminded of the reasons we do what we do – and the consequences of our work.

Several years ago our President (at the time) and I agreed to transport a rescued ex-lab cat from Sydney to Melbourne to act as ambassador for all lab animals. You may have heard of Leo. We thought that he would put a face to the issue.

Now, around 6-7 million animals are used in research and teaching every year in Australia. If you’re like me, statistics don’t mean a great deal. For example there is little difference whether I told you it was 1 million or 10 million. However when we focus on an individual animal – his name and what happened to him – then those statistics become real. It certainly happened for us anyway.

We had been waiting in the cargo area of Tullamarine airport for some time. There had been some delays with unloading. It was getting dark and cold when someone finally walked toward us with a pet carrier. We were quickly reminded that in that little carrier was our reason for doing what we do, as we saw a curious little face peering out at us, wondering what was going on.

Some years later I had a similar experience. After meeting the team at Beagle Freedom Australia they asked if I would like to meet Ned and Ged – two beagles they had negotiated the release of from a Victorian lab. They opened the back of the car and in the safety crate sat two very timid and dare I say broken beagles (pictured above). Here in front of me were two victims of an industry that has used them as disposable objects – not sentient individuals who deserved a happy life. Now most dogs love a drive and jump around happily once out of the car. Not Ned and Ged. I saw the sadness in their eyes, the lack of trust and I could only imagine the awful life they must have endured before being surrendered to Beagle Freedom. I looked at them, silently apologised for all the cruelty inflicted upon them by people and realised, THEY are my reason. They are why I write submissions and draft media releases and lobby politicians. It’s for them!

This has all led to our newest campaign – Right 2 Release; giving ex-lab animals the chance to find their forever homes. It’s a collaboration between HRA and Beagle Freedom Australia. Late last year we had a vegan sausage sizzle to raise funds and awareness for this important issue. There were a number of ex-lab dogs present and they gave me reason to continue – reminding me that the consequences of me working against animal experiments can mean life or death to many animals.

So to Leo, Ned, Ged and all the others, we may be opposing animal experiments because they are unethical, scientifically flawed and a tragic waste of precious resources, but above all else YOU are our reason for doing what we do and I am grateful that you are there to remind us. We will never stop until you all find your forever homes and animal experimentation is no more.

Update: Just as I publish this, Animal Welfare Victoria has issued guidelines for the rehoming of ex-lab animals. This publication has come about thanks to the efforts of Beagle Freedom Australia and advice issued by them. It has the potential of saving the lives of many animals who would otherwise be "disposed of" at their conclusion of their time in a laboratory.

For further information about animal experiments: Please visit www.HumaneResearch.org.au
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