Although many facilities have opted for newer humane methods of teaching and testing, some like UHCL still used rats as part of their curriculum. Many view rats as animals that are mean and disgusting but nonetheless, they still deserve to be treated humanely, with respect. Read more on rats in the labs at http://www.peta.org/features/horrifying-psychology-experiments-university-houston-clear-lake-rats/?utm_campaign=081216%20PETA%20E-News&utm_source=PETA%20E-Mail&utm_medium=E-News
The rats at UHCL in Houston were being subjected to cruel experiments in the psychology classrooms. It was reported that they are deprived of food and forced into tiny plastic boxes and that they seem paralyzed with fear or cry out when handled. If not adopted out when no longer needed, the animals are either bred or killed. In reality, rats are animals that love to cuddle and can be very affectionate when feeling safe. They are highly intelligent, social animals that can have a close bond with human companions. They clearly do not belong in labs for experiments and worse.
Another campus at UH has a reputation with other animals and was cited for animal welfare violations. Reports state that “A monkey died of dehydration after no one noticed that a drinking valve had become disconnected; a live mouse was found in a refrigerator where dead animals were stored; a mouse was left to suffer for days without food or water.” Still another campus teaches through interactive computer programs and use of adoptable dogs at a local animal shelter to learn about animal behavior instead of starving rats, forcing them to perform in experiments, and then killing many of them.
The purpose of this petition is to urge UHCL to ban the use of rats and any other animals in their curriculum and opt for other methods of study that are not harmful and abusive. You can help with this issue by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own thoughts and comments on this matter.
Associate Dean Terry Dupler at University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL) – I was disturbed to learn that the UHCL is abusing rats in the name of psychology in your labs at the main campus. Rats are animals that love to cuddle and can be very affectionate when feeling safe. They are highly intelligent, social animals that can have a close bond with human companions. They clearly do not belong in labs for experiments and worse. There are other methods of study and experimentation that would not harm or abuse animals such as interactive computer simulations and training sessions with adoptable dogs at a local animal shelter to learn about animal behavior instead of starving rats, forcing them to perform in experiments, and then killing many of them. Such methods are much more humane and just as effective in teaching. Please ensure that you replace cruel experiments involving rats and monkeys and opt for more modern humane methods of teaching.
