PETA, SLAAM to Rally Against North Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Lindon

Groups Demand That Facility Stop Providing Dogs and Cats for Painful Experiments

For Immediate Release:
July 9, 2010

Contact:
Robbyn Brooks 757-622-7382

Lindon, Utah -- Joined by a larger-than-life "dog" and holding signs that read, "North Utah Valley Shelter Animals Die in U Labs," members of PETA and the Salt Lake Animal Advocacy Movement (SLAAM) will protest in front of the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter (NUVAS) in Lindon on Saturday. NUVAS is the only animal shelter in the state that continues to provide cats and dogs to the University of Utah for cruel and deadly experiments, even though there is no longer a law that forces them to do so.

When:   Saturday July 10, 11 a.m.  

Where:  North Utah Valley Animal Shelter, 193 N. 2000 W., Lindon

"North Utah Valley Animal Shelter is betraying animals and the public by selling homeless cats and dogs into a lonely, terrifying, and deadly fate," says PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. "It's time for this animal shelter to live up to its charge of protecting animals and end this shameful practice."

In November 2009, PETA released shocking video   from an undercover investigation of University of Utah laboratories revealing deplorable conditions for animals who were confined there. PETA also discovered that homeless cats and dogs from animal shelters were used in painful experiments. As a result of the investigation, the university was cited for nine violations of federal animal welfare laws and Utah legislators amended the state's pound-seizure law. Animal shelters now have the right to refuse to turn over homeless animals to laboratories for use in painful and deadly experiments. Immediately after the passage of the new law, the Davis County animal shelter--which was the biggest provider of shelter animals to the university--announced that it would no longer provide animals to the school.

Last year, NUVAS sold 36 dogs and five cats to the University of Utah for almost $1,100. Already in 2010, the animal shelter has turned over 49 dogs and 14 cats in exchange for $2,660.

For more information, please see PETA's action alert concerning this issue.