This association is looking for families to adopt 350 laboratory animals

Rehabilitating animals held in laboratory research units in France is the battle of GRAIL on a daily basis, an association founded twenty years ago on the principle that “every living being, human or animal, has the right to respect and compassion. ” On the occasion of the 42nd World Laboratory Animal Day, April 24, 2021, the association launched a call for adoption for 350 laboratory animals. Individuals wishing to collect an animal and shelters wishing to be partners in the initiative were targeted.

In a press release dated April 28, 2021, GRAAL informs that for the moment, 11 puppies will soon arrive in the PACA region in early May 2021. They will be vaccinated and then available for adoption. 11 other young dogs (between 12 and 15 months) will join the Breton territory at the same time. 7 adult dogs and 4 cats will also be able to start a whole new life in Loire-Atlantique in May. The information concerning the coordinates of the shelters will be transmitted very quickly.

Cooperate with laboratories

“When we look at the figures on the website of the Ministry of Research, we see that from one year to another the results are stable, Marie-Françoise Lheureux, president and founder of the association for the defense of animals, GRAAL, explained to us in June 2020. There has been the same proportion of dog, cat, horse, primate, rodent use for years. We are on a trend of 2 million animals used per year in French laboratories. GRAAL supports alternative methods (cell or organ cultures) and we hope to see these results decrease significantly. But as of today, we have to do with what we have. ” Marie-Françoise Lheureux and GRAAL remain lucid about the objective of 0 animals exploited, because this form of experimentation “is compulsory in France”.

The best solution today to save animals is to cooperate with laboratories. “Some labs pay sizeable sums to rehabilitate their animals. Lately, 80 animals have been taken to 4 French shelters by an approved transporter. It is the laboratory that paid the 4000-5000 euros. They also pay the veterinarians to establish certificates of good health attesting to their discharge, she said last year. Without this sesame, no animal leaves and we must add to that the administrative costs. They also socialize the animals before their release, so that once they arrive in the shelters, the animals are in their minds when they meet the adopters. Those who think that we lend a good conscience to the labs, I tell them NO! You don’t have to demonize them all. “

Like any adoption, the act must be considered. Individuals who engage in this process will be advised by the GRAAL partner shelters (more than 200 in the area). And several practical guides of the adoption of a laboratory animal, carried out by GRAAL, will also be offered to them.