The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an end to cruel kitten experiments, with the remaining 14 cats to be adopted out immediately.
“The use of cats as part of any research protocol in any Agricultural Research Service has been discontinued and will not be reinstated,” said the department in a press release.
This landmark decision comes after a year of extensive lobbying by the White Coat Waste (WCW) Project, who publicized the wasteful and unnecessary research, garnering the support of numerous members of Congress.
“After 3,000-plus kittens killed and $22 million squandered, we applaud the USDA for its wise decision to permanently end its taxpayer-funded kitten experiments and adopt out the survivors,” said Anthony Bellotti, founder of WCW. “The USDA’s kitten slaughterhouse has finally been relegated to the litterbox of history.”
For the last 37 years, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service has been infecting kittens with toxoplasmosis. After collecting their feces for several weeks to study the parasite, the kittens were euthanized and incinerated.
The euthanasia of these innocent animals is completely unnecessary. Veterinary experts and the U.S. Center for Disease Control agree that cats exposed to toxoplasma become immune and are unable to pass the parasite onto humans. So 100 innocent, healthy kittens were killed every year for no reason.
The campaign to end the experiments began in May 2018, when WCW exposed the methods used by researchers. Following the publicity, members of Congress introduced the bipartisan KITTEN Act in an attempt to end the experiments. A Lady Freethinker petition calling for support for this legislation gathered more than 12,000 signatures.
This is a huge victory for animal advocates across the globe, and a step forward in the battle against animal testing.
“I commend the USDA for their decision to end this type of testing on kittens,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif, who supported the KITTEN Act. “They listened to the people and responded appropriately to our concerns. This is how our institutions, our government, and our democracy should and must work.”
What’s New…
I do hope they will be monitored.
looking around at my cats here, I feel so much relief that no more cats will be hurt this way!
I cannot tell you how horrifying it is to read & see the stories of abuse that people continue to put poor innocent animals. What really raises my blood pressure is the fact that us humans are suppose to be civilized, level headed, so when I see horrifying pictures & read the stories I cannnot believe these stories, I cannot help but think who is the one standing there watching & taking these pictures why aren’t they the ones who light a fire under the human being. Instead of these people trying to burn or torture the animal while they are still alive.
“The use of cats as part of any research protocol in any Agricultural Research Service has been discontinued and will not be reinstated.” Sorry, but this sounds too forward, as though the USDA is trying to throw us off to make us believe they will discontinue cat testing….but, in reality, it will continue. I don’t believe anything coming from the mouth of someone Drumpf had hired.
USDA = United States Department of Assholes!
Finally one aspect of government that is going to listen and to help these poor cats and kittens. Why does it take so long for these governments to get on board against the abuse of all of these different animals. We don’t need our animals destroyed by any ones hands. It all needs to end.
Thank God someone finally came to their senses, not only to stop the torture and murder of innocents, but the waste of taxpayers money as well!
Bata por favor!!!!
FINALLY,…A SMART DECISION FROM THE USDA. FINALLY, SOME HUMANITY.
Personally, I don’t trust the USDA no more than I trust the BLM. If we want to see these kitties have a life and be saved we must make sure that we hold the USDA accountable in terms of re-homing them.
I totally agree with your Marty I’ll believe it when I see it.
Yes, cruelty needs to stop and animals put first.
Yes but their common sense should have told them to stop right at the beginning. We should not have had to push them and embarrass them, but if necessary we will continue to do it.
Great news….its about time they came to their senses. Whatever senses they have. I still don’t trust them. They will move on to some other innocent animal.
Thank God for that great news. NO Tolerance for Animal Testing!!!!!! It is despicable cruelty!
GOOD NEWS
Such good news. Good luck to all those in their new homes. Angel Blessings to the poor souls that have died.
I am very proud to hear that these kittens will be treated better.
End all experimenting and testing on ALL animals. Adopt every one of the animals to homes. Thank you USDA for ending experimenting and going to adopt the cats to homes. I am sad for the cats and all the other animals that die and suffered in the past.
Ever since I first learned what the USDA was doing to these innocent cats & kittens I have been completely repulsed by them. This is something they never should have done in the first place. I am glad they are stopping it.
But I can’t forgive them for all the suffering they have caused to all the innocent victims in the past
Thank you White Coat Project. And Senator Merkley Oregon)
Finally a step in the right direction.
Finally the USDA made the right decision!!
Wonderful news from the USDA that they will adopt out these beautiful kittens to wonderful homes. thank you USDA
WOW!!! I NEVER EVEN KNEW HOW HORRIFIC AND DISGUSTING OUR GOVERMENT IS WITH ANIMALS. THBANK GOD OTHERS DID. IT’S A TRUE BLESSING FOR THESE INNOCENT CREATIONS OF GOD
Education and awareness of the society on how to stop the cruelty of animals are very crucial.
I am engaging with animal welfare and protection. I request any one to support the great activities.
My contact. [email protected]
Great news
Good Decision!