Now Auburn joins other veterinary schools that have replaced what are known as “terminal” surgery laboratories with humane training methods, including Tufts University and Western University of Health Sciences.
While working on our campaign to end the deadly use of dogs for
veterinary training at Tuskegee University (which we won!), we
learned that another school in Alabama was doing the same thing. An
ally informed us that the Auburn University College of Veterinary
Medicine was also using dogs in its invasive surgery laboratories
and then killing the animals after the procedures.
Last January, I began corresponding with officials at Auburn, to
provide evidence in support of humane training methods. At many
other vet schools across the country, spay/neuter programs, feral
cat clinics, extensive clinical rotations with practicing vets, and
willed-body programs are used instead of fatal animal laboratories.
University officials responded positively to our information and
assembled a task force to review its animal use. As a result of this
review, Auburn has ended its deadly dog use! Now Auburn joins other
veterinary schools that have replaced what are known as “terminal”
surgery laboratories with humane training methods, including Tufts
University and Western University of Health Sciences. And as you
know, Tuskegee University recently halted the practice after a
public campaign by the Physicians Committee and local advocates.
This is a great example of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into
our efforts long before we make them public. Before the federal
complaints, demonstrations, petitions, and billboards, we always
start by encouraging change. We offer institutions evidence in
support of modern training methods and try to engage in constructive
dialogue. Unfortunately, sometimes, we get no response or are met
with resistance. But in some cases, dialogue is all it takes, and we
can bring about big victories like this without ever needing to
launch a public campaign.