June 2012 News

June 12, 2012 • Posted in Related News

Chimpanzee Advocates Alert

Have you visited releasechimps.org lately?

 

NEAVS has launched a NEW and IMPROVED website for Project R&R: Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories, our campaign to end the use of chimpanzees in research. NEAVS’ releasechimps.org (the URL remains the same) has long been a content-rich resource for individuals and organizations committed to ending the use of chimpanzees in research. The site provides a full spectrum of historic and current in-depth information, as well as NEAVS’ original research.

The redesigned site offers a variety of interactive tools to help navigate and make optimal use of the vast amount of information available. NEAVS takes a fact-based approach to our advocacy and our websites reflect that. Releasechimps.org is the go-to resource for individuals, legislators, journalists and organizations that need accurate, up-to-date information that supports strong scientific and ethical arguments to end chimpanzee use.

NEAVS’ original releasechimps.org was the winner of the Interactive Media Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Animals/Wildlife category in 2006. NEAVS’ primary website, neavs.org, received the competitive “Best in Class Award” from the Interactive Media Council in 2011.


 

Supporting AV Scientists

As part of our on-going work to support students at all levels of education to pursue a career in cruelty-free science, NEAVS has sponsored two doctoral candidates to attend Vaccipharma 2012 (Cuba). The conference is an opportunity for them to learn the latest methods to reduce, refine, and replace the use of animals. The conference promotes scientific collaboration among experts and institutions with the aim of accelerating progress in the development of vaccines and the acceptance of new methods and technologies. NEAVS also recently provided scholarships for doctoral students from around the world to attend the VII World Congress on Alternatives & Animal Use in the Life Sciences, awarded for merit and promise in the field of alternatives to animal research; funded an award to an outstanding new scientist in the field of toxicology through the Bjoern Ekwall Memorial fund; and, sponsored doctoral level psychology interns with the Society and Animals Institute. 


 

Supporting Sanctuary 

We are very sad to let our supporters know that Dana, whose lifetime care NEAVS was honored to support at Save the Chimps (STC), died on May 6th. Our only comfort is in knowing that after decades of research use, Dana enjoyed a life of freedom and love at STC and a peaceful death under the open sky.

Dana was taken from her mother as an infant in Sierra Leone. She was shipped to Holloman Air Force Base for use in the U.S. Air Force’s space research program and tattooed with the number 625. During her years in the space program and, later as a research subject at the Coulston Foundation, Dana gave birth to at least seven children, all of whom either died or were taken from her. Dana was subjected to multiple research studies, including one in which her kidney was transplanted into a baboon.

In 2001, Dana was rescued by STC and moved to her island home in Florida. Dana embraced her new life and was a natural matriarch, knowing how to discipline to keep things in order while still offering  reassurance to other chimpanzees.

The late Dr. Carole Noon, founder and director of Save the Chimps, called Dana her cofounder and relied heavily on Dana’s leadership. Dr. Noon said, “I never made a move without her.”

Dr. Theodora Capaldo, NEAVS’ President, first met Dana on her visit to STC during their opening dedication and pledged NEAVS’ lifetime support for her care.

All of us at NEAVS offer our deepest condolences to our human and chimpanzee friends at STC on the loss of beloved Dana, and wish them all our love and gratitude for their care of Dana and all the others. 


Other News

Victories for Animals

COVANCE CLOSES SECOND LAB: Three years after opening its Chandler, Arizona facility, the contract animal testing company, Covance, is closing this facility due to lack of demand for its services. The lab has drawn public protest since plans to build were announced. Covance uses animals to test cosmetics, products, additives, chemicals, and drugs. It is the world's largest breeder of dogs and one of the largest U.S. importers of primates for labs. The Arizona shutdown follows the 2010 closure of a Covance lab in Virginia after documented abuse and lack of veterinary care.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: Canada’s largest university has ended primate research citing “cost, availability and ethics,” according to university veterinarian Dr. George Harapa. The university stopped using dogs and cats in research several years ago. According to Dr. Harapa, University of Toronto uses half as many animals in research as it did in the 1980s.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (MoEF) BANS ANIMALS USE: Based on India’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the MoEF has issued guidelines to discontinue dissection and experiments with live animals in universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, and laboratories. The central government is duty-bound to use alternatives to avoid unnecessary suffering or pain to animals. The guidelines include imprisonment for five years and monetary penalty.


 

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Your Father’s Day Gift of Compassion! 

What better way to thank your Dad for the love and kindness that he’s shown to you than by making an online donation in his honor to help animals. Or, you can email NEAVS' Member Services at smccluskey@neavs.org. Be sure to include your credit card information, the amount you would like to donate, your Dad’s name and contact information (email or snail mail), any message that you want to include for him, and we’ll take care of the rest!

Your support is a vital part of all the work we do! It is what makes all of our programs and campaigns happen. You, our supporters, are our most precious resource and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for your support!

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