(Cross posted from another board)

Washington State University (WSU) recently had its supply of live animals cut off by the Spokane County Animal Control and Shelter because of multiple, invasive, and painful surgeries conducted by veterinary students. Unfortunately, WSU has now approached Tri-Cities Animal Control in Pasco, Washington, with a contract to send unwanted dogs and cats to the school. The university has also approached local Indian reservations and another animal shelter in the area and requested animals—but both potential sources declined the contract.

Shelters are supposed to provide respite and protection to homeless animals. Selling animals to be used in practice sessions represents the antithesis of a shelter’s purpose. Trusting companion animals who were once members of a family suffer the terrifying experience of confinement, first to a shelter cage and then to a laboratory cage, all the while wondering what they have done wrong.

Pasco County City Council will be meeting soon to discuss whether or not to implement the contract that would send dogs and cats to painful deaths at WSU. It is imperative that you politely write and call city officials of Pasco and ask them to decline the contract that would send innocent, homeless animals from Tri-Cities Animal Control to be tortured. Please urge them to follow the compassionate decision of the Spokane County Animal Control and Shelter and humanely euthanize unwanted animals if no home can be found for them. Unwanted dogs and cats do not deserve to be used as fodder for practice sessions that involve pain and suffering.