Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Well, I'm a child of the devil...

My dad worked in a lab doing animal research for a good portion of time when I was young. So I've got a little cnnection to the "inside" of animal testing.  He worked with Stanford labs. Most of the experiments are done on rats and mice. These animals are purchased from mass dealers.

In the time that he was there, the lab only worked on two studies that involved "pet" animals. The first only used one subject, (I'm sorry, I wish I could remember for certain what the study was for, though I'm pretty sure it was for rheumatoid arthritis) a Golden lab mix named Rudy. He was the lab mascot of sorts, and was well-cared for (3 daily walks even), other than consistent blood tests. He was acquired from a shelter.

The other study used cats for a drug study related to Leukemia. These cats were FeLv positive cats acquired from local shelters and owners. Owners surrendering a pet had to sign contracts and provide vet records to prove that the cat had actually been in their care for at least 6 months.  (In case you were wondering, the study didn't produce much of anything as far as human leukemia, but did aid inthe development of treatments for cats)

Do I think that animal research is good? No. But my point is that, atleast in upstanding research facilities, the possibility of receiving stolen pets is small. Also, testing on "pet" animals other than mice and rats is very rare, for a few reasons, (these reasons given to me by my father):
* The first is the expense involved. Rats and mice are cheaper to feed and a lot easier to house do to their size.
*Their systems mimic ours much more so than cats and dogs
* They can be used in studies that call for lots of test subjects

and, most importantly,

Using dogs and cats is too hard for the researchers. With mice and rats, it's easier to disconnect than with dogs and cats. They've found that the job becomes more stressful and less productive when using pet animals. (The four scientists assigned to the study with Rudy cried when he had to be put to asleep for an unrelated tumor.)

But, my basic, and somewhat long-winded, point is that pet animals are rarely used in medical research, and there is little room for stolen animals.

However, I must add that non-medical testing, such as for cosmetics, etc. is not nearly as regulated, and does not necessarily avoid the use of pet animals. (Though much of their testing focuses on rabbits)

And a final disclaimer, I am not a supporter of animal research. I just wanted the relay the information that I've received from a reliable source.

I've been told that I'm obsessed with dogs. Which is pretty bad, considering that hubby and I are currently furchild-less. (Hopefully to change soon)
   For me, animals are a type of salvation.  I'm going back to school to become an ER or Lifeflight nurse. I work as a volunteer with youth that come from awful backgrounds of abuse and neglect. I see awful things and hear awful stories on a regular basis. And I can't let that get to me. If I broke down every time I heard about a fourteen year old girl being sexually assualted by a family friend and her parents doing nothing, I would never be able to function. While I feel the grief of the situation, it doesn't affect me. My ability to get through these situations is a blessing and a curse. I'm blessed because I can use it to make a difference,  but I'm cursed because I end up feeling somehow dehumanized. People say that I must be heartless, that the plight of an abused dog will bring me to tears faster than the plight of a child. But they don't understand that my tears are for the dog and the child both. Helping animals in need is, for me, an outlet for the despair I work with on a regular basis. I can be free to feel the depth of emotions that I normally have to stifle. I can cry and be mushy and lose my ability to handle  the situation. I love animals because they remind me that I'm human.  And helping them lets me feel amotions that normally have to be hidden for the sake of getting through the day.
  So for all those who have told me that I love animals more than I love people, just know that if I weren't able to love animals emotionally, I'd never be able to love practically. Besides, dogs make the bets listeners, the best cuddlers, and their goofy demeanors nver cease to remind me that the world is still a good place. (As long as there are lots of biscuits and balls to chase!)

   Well I'm glad that he already has an opportunity for a great home. He has such a sweet face.

Sobe, he is absolutely adorable. If hubby and I weren't looking for an adult, we'd snatch him up right away!

I wish they had more information on the shelter. Something seems a bit off, as so many of them are not neutered/spayed, or utd on shots. It makes me curious about the "sanctuary", y'know?

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pet/199547450.html

Poor gal. We'd take her ourselves but we're in our apartment until November. We're moving to a place with lots of land then, but no fences and no real way of putting them up. Both situations, from what I understand of the breed, would be less than ideal.   Anyone looking for a new baby? We'd be willing to foster her for a short while or help transport.

Sigh. Well, it looks like it's not going to work out.  Even though it's been two weeks since she she told us we could have him, we still haven't been able to work out any type of arrangement to pick him up. We've offered several times to come get him at any time- weekend or weeknight (it's a 2 hour drive each way). And, nothing. No suggestions of a time or a place to get him, just "we're working on it" and now hubby and I are starting to feel like we're just being strung along. So yeah. We haven't completely given up, but we're pretty close. We've filled out some rescue applications and will send them off at the end of next week if we don't hear something more definitive than "we're still trying to figure out a time". But hey, maybe it will still work out. Maybe it won't, but if nothing else, it made hubby and I more determined.

He's ours!!!   It's been a stressful week waiting to find out if we get him or not, but we get to keep him! Now we just have to figure out when we get to bring him home!

 And now I get to go baby shopping. There's bowls to get and food and treats and more treats and toys and more toys...  poor dog is going to be so deprived, can't you tell?