Five Cats Saved by Veterinary Students Dairy Farming College in Japan.
On October 27, 2022, Rauno Gakuen Daigaku, a dairy farming college in Hokkaido, Japan, announced it cancelled an experiment to kill cats at the request of its students.
According to Japan Anti–Vivisection Association (JAVA), they were approached by the students to assist them in requesting the college’s attention that the experiment was cruel because five cats were artificially made septic and lethal at the end of the experiment.
Despite the questionable validity of testing on animals to study effects on humans, medical, pharmaceutical, veterinary, and other educational institutions still conduct experiments on animals. If students are forced to participate in such experiments to pursue their degrees, it violates both animal and human rights.
Research and educational institutions should disclose information on experiments to the public and be accountable for their actions. Then more institutions will reconsider the situation and eventually stop those experiments, as in this case.
Below is the full text of the school’s announcement on its website (original in Japanese, translated by Vegan FTA)
Cancellation of Experimentation Program Using Animals
In planning and implementing experiments using animals, we at Rakuno Gakuen
Daigaku place importance on and is committed to the three Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. In addition, from the viewpoint of science and animal welfare, we comply with the Animal Protection Law and other relevant laws and regulations, as well as guidelines issued by relevant ministries and agencies and our establishing committees.
Some students who would participate in the experiment using animals, including euthanasia planned for October 26, 2022, have expressed their opinions calling for the cancellation of the experiment. We have received comments from many individuals and parties, including Japan Anti-Vivisection Association (JAVA). Although we carefully discussed and approved the experiment’s purpose, significance, and expected results, after another discussion with the faculty members concerned and considering the students’ opinions, the school’s President decided on October 26 to discontinue this experiment plan.
We sincerely apologize for the concern and confusion this incident has caused our students and many others. As an educational institution that trains veterinarians, we educate our students on many topics, such as the difference between animals that are kept for life and those that are not and the appropriate animal care and management methods required by veterinarians. We will continue to work on the thorough implementation of the 3Rs mentioned above regarding testing on animals, and we appreciate your understanding.
October 27, 2022
Osamu Dochi
President
Rakuno Gakuen University
