CALL FOR HELP

I received an email from Humane Research Australia, asking for help on an issue regarding innocent lambs being sent to slaughter, after being subject to university testing. I have copy and pasted the information below - we need as much support as possible to save these poor lambs!! It’s outrageous that even with the offer from Edgar’s Mission; the university is still planning on shipping these lambs off to the abattoir.

So please write an email to the people listed – I did, it took me 2 minutes!!

Background

LaTrobe University students have been using lambs in a study to determine the effect of different feeds on wool growth. (Animal Nutrition AGR2AN)

Humane Research Australia has concern for the wellbeing of these animals. We have been informed that the lambs are kept indoors with limited space and on grated floors. It appears from the photos that one lamb is biting on the pen bar suggesting they are displaying stereotypic behaviour. Such housing, together with handling procedures, including weighing and ultrasound measurement of weight gain, is likely to have caused distress to these animals and it would be highly questionable whether any potential benefit from this research will have outweighed the harm caused.

One of the lambs in the study

The lambs are due to be sent to slaughter any day now, so time is fleeting. Edgar's Mission have volunteered to adopt the lambs and pay for transport, but this is not being received well by the university as they are still considering sending them to an abattoir for slaughter.

"We asked nicely, we organised everything, we wrote petitions, we argued at meetings - but this wasn't good enough for La Trobe! There is NO reason why these animals should not be given a home at Edgar's Mission, or indeed any of the MANY places that volunteered homes to these sheep.

And even after all our reasonable arguments, the University still refuses to even improve the experimental conditions for future years! This is appalling and insulting coming from a University that 'cares for animal welfare' and 'respects the views of students'. Come one and all - help us tell the University that we MUST be taken seriously!" - Allison Drinkwater, NAPS executive.

Timmy & friends at Edgar's Mission - these lambs could join them

Please email the following to voice your objection and to urge them to surrender the lambs to Edgar’s Mission.

Prof. Andrew Brennan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research) A.Brennan@latrobe.edu.au

Ms Leia Demtschyna, Senior Coordinator, Ethics L.Demtschyna@latrobe.edu.au

Chancellor, Prof Adrienne Clarke  Adrienne.Clarke@latrobe.edu.au 

UPDATE!!

I received an email with good news this morning! Looks like the email campaign and protesting worked! So thank you if you emailed, passed on the details etc - we can make a change!!

Further to our recent emails calling on assistance to save lambs used in LaTrobe University research, the university has listened to your concerns and have agreed to provide the lambs to one of three parties who have expreseed interest in taking them.

Whilst we do not know who they are at this stage, the university has stated they have "made inquiries to ensure that the three offers it received are from credible agents, and that none of them intends killing the lambs or sending them to slaughter."

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the uni to express their concern, but most importantly thank you to Allison Drinkwater who alerted us to the problem and for fighting to save their lives.