Animal testing is often lacks society‘s attention. The reason behind is probably that cruel animal testing is controlled and watched over by scientists, doctors and soldiers. We tend to trust them. It is probable that our naivety is also to be blamed for. When we see the word „cosmetics“, we immediately think about beauty, taking care of our skin, rose petals and pure coconut milk. Even when people hear that some of cosmetics they use are tested in animals, they might start wondering: what‘s wrong in washing a rabbits‘fur with a fragrant shampoo?

However, people are not aware that the ingredients of such cosmetics were rubbed into a rabbit‘s shaved skin and were dripped to its eyes to see if it still can see. To see if those ingredients might cause cancer or birth defects in their offspring’s, rabbits were fed with those ingredients by force. Such animal testing is carried out without anesthesia and sooner or later it completely destroys animals‘inner and outer organs; animals become blind and ill. A rabbit used in testing is no longer needed, therefore it is strangled, its neck is broken or it is beheaded. Probably these are even some of the gentlest cases as during some medical experiments animals were and still sometimes are being gutted while still alive. In 2012, PETA released undercover video footage leaked by a whistleblower of a military trauma training course conducted by military contractor. In the video, course participants and instructors laugh and joke as live goats have their legs broken and amputated with tree trimmers, are stabbed, and have their internal organs pulled out.

Not only rabbits are used in animal testing, but also mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, fishes, dogs, cats, pigs, goats, monkeys and other animals.

A right of animals to live a decent life without pain was defended even when such experiments had some theoretical meaning, for example, when it helped to have a breakthrough in human medicine etc. Nowadays, we live in a modern technology world and animal testing is beyond immoral. Moreover, it is possible to test the same things without animals. For example, Germans refused using animals in army training, when the USA army representatives suggested them to do so. Germans pointed out that animal testing is prohibited in their law and it is not effective enough, as there are other more effective options. Furthermore, it is also proved that animal testing is not useful because we are not the same.

It is possible to test many things while using mannequins, for example, during auto accidents simulation. It is also possible to use computer simulation programs (in silico), analyse cells (in vitro) etc. If scientists stop testing animals and start analysing human cells, they might get a better result. Thalidomide had no negative effects on mice or rat offspring’s, however women, who took this medicine to fight their morning sickness witnessed birth defects in their babies. Other medicine, fialuridine had no negative effects on mice, rats, dogs, monkeys. However 5 people who took it died and 2 survived only after liver transplantation. Another similar case is that of tregalizumab. First tested in monkeys, then a smaller dose of this medicine was delivered to 6 people. Their body temperature rose immediately, vomiting and diarrhoea started, their organs did not work normally. The death was right behind the corner.

However, death is even closer to those who receive the very first experimental dose and their life is not protected at all. For example, beagles are dogs that are used the most in animal testing. Beagles are gentle and they tolerate anything humans do, so, it is as right to say that beagles are used as the most naive.

Started in 2004 as the small USA charity organization, which saved animals in south California, in 2010 it was reached out by research laboratory asking if it could take in two “experimentally-spent” beagles.

The video of the two beagles taking their first steps of freedom, touching the grass, seeing the sky, and being able to finally play went viral and thus was born the Beagle Freedom Project.

In 2018, Beagle Freedom Project became a part of the Rescue + Freedom Project, a charity dedicated to rescuing all animals from caged cruelty, whether in a laboratory experiment, a pen at a racing track, factory farm confinement, or the binding twine used in Chinese dog meat markets.

We talked with Lex Kartane, one of the project volunteers

How did you come up with an idea of joining Rescue + Freedom project? What is your position in this organization?

Lex: I decided to start volunteering in this organization when I could start fostering animals. I chose Rescue + Freedom Project mainly because they are not only saving animals from research laboratories, but they are also educating people. Every rescued animal and its new owner is a new symbol of those animals that are still in research laboratories.

I am currently guarding one little doggie and helping in events held in north California.

Do you recall your first impression? What makes this organization to stand out?

Lex: Rescue + Freedom Project (previously known as Beagle Freedom Project) is an unique organization because the majority of animals they rescue spent the big part of their lives in research laboratories, where they were used in animal testing. Once we rescue an animal, it directly goes to a new foster home, where it is being held under rehabilitation for the first few months. The rehabilitation time is different as it depends on each animal and its health issues. Some animals are fast at adapting at a new lifestyle and really want the love of a human, while others are still afraid of humans even after several months.

I am so excited to be a part of this amazing project, help those animals that were tortured right from their first days and tell their stories to everyone who wants to hear them.

Could you tell us any special situation or moment that you cannot forget?

Lex: One of the most incredible situations to witness was when a group of rescued beagles first felt freedom. Seeing them making first steps on the grass, sniffing at each other freely and without no cages was amazing.

In your opinion, why animal testing is still used, when there are other, more ethical options?

Lex: It is very hard to answer such question as more and more scientists are against animal testing. In my opinion, one of the reasons why animal testing is still an issue is that people are not open for changes. It is sad to admit that many tests are being carried out year after year, without any changes. The same experiment after the same experiment…

Money and a huge business is another, more important reason.

Tell us more about your rescued dogs.

Lex: I am currently taking care of a dog named Raggie and a dog named Lyra, both of them were rescued from research laboratories.

Raggie. Raggie was supposed to stay at my home for a while, but we decided to keep him. At the beginning Raggie was not aware of how to be a dog, as he lived in a research laboratory before and was in a cage all the time (except for tests). He could not climb the stairs, jump on the sofa, walk with a leash or pee outside. He even ate his first small snack in half an hour! Raggie learned so much during first two weeks: every day marked a new achievement. Raggie realized that people are not going to hurt him anymore and started trusting me and my husband Shani.

Raggie had many nightmares during first months, luckily, now it happens less and less. He learned how to play with other dogs and toys.

Raggie had two tattoos: one inside his ear and another one on his tummy. Before Raggie had no name, he had only a tattooed number. He was debarked. He started making some noises after 2 months.

He is now so happy, so attached to me. He loves to go to a beach or dog parks.

Lyra. I am in charge of Lyra now, she will live with me for a while and we will look her a new home after her rehabilitation.

Lyra was also used for animal testing. She had a blood disease thrombocytopenia, probably as a result of the experiments she suffered. She is only 11 months old. At the beginning Lyra could have suffered bleeding from her eyes, nose or have a terminal brain bleeding. Luckily, we found her a treatment that seems to work, so the future seems to be bright. Now she is not in danger of bleeding terminally, we are continuously decreasing her drug dose and she even started to play a little!

Lyra was also not aware of the free life, however she still trusts people so much, even after living in cages. She always comes to have a pat and she loves to jump on our knees.

Her favorite things are tummy rubbing, ear scratching and just being next to a human being. Shani and I always call her our perfect Lyra.

What would you say to those, who say “they are just animals”?

Lex: Animals feel pain, are conscious and want to enjoy life as much as people do (people technically are also animals). Moreover, nowadays we have so much other options apart from animal testing, which are even more precise and correct.

What could an ordinary person make in order to make a change?

Lex: Very good question! One of the most important and easiest options: do not buy products tested on animals. You can find on the internet and see if the product was tested on animals or not. Animal testing can be used almost for everything: drugs, toilet cleaners, washing powder, cigarettes, cosmetics, tea or even chocolate.

It is about time to end the archaic practice of using living creatures for our own good. By the way, nowadays you can choose from so many options, so why would you not choose to buy a shampoo that was not tested on unarmed, innocent creatures?