Mars - Policy on Animal Testing

[CurlyCatz]

 

[hOrZa]

Isn't Mars along way to send animals anyway, how do they cope with the prolonged weightlessness? 

[CurlyCatz]

For what its worth i have been and visited the waltham centre and was in there for nearly a day (same time i met the food testers  )

I can honestly say what it says in that email is what we witnessed.  All the animals were happy and healthy looking, none obese, none thin, non kennel mad, none doped etc etc  I would say it looked like very nice up market kennels but i wouldnt say it was like being in a house if you catch my drift.  However it was more pleasant than the average kennelled greyhound or no less if not nicer than the "life long residents" that some dog charities will never put down (you know the ones in the ad...."never put a good dog down" cant remember charity name at this moment)

None of them looked like they had undergone procedures or surgerys other than routine front leg blood tests.  All the dogs were social and reacted well to humans , some were on their hind legs with front paws on the door (each kennelled area was walled with a door but not right up to the ceiling, only as high as dog couldnt jump over top so you could lean over into them )  others were lying asleep and just gave me a look as if to say hello..i know you are there but i cant be bothered getting up 
Equally cats were basically same mentally and physcially as the dogs.

I cannot comment on anything other than what i saw and those were my and my groups observations but that was a few years ago now so it wouldnt surprise me if the set up had altered slightly.  I wouldnt say i approve of such a thing but i can see you definately need the controlled enviroement they provide to get accurate results and i dont find the blood tests considering how small amounts they need to be a bad thing and certainly urine samples will be non invasive.

There are many ways dogs are kept be it pet indoor dogs, working dogs, dogs who work but live in the house, kennelled dogs for hunts  , charity kennels, quarantines, racing dogs, and of course the greys kept in kennels in vet uni's for blood donars    The animals i seen at that particular time had quite a good and relatively pleasant way of life, they never got left to have rotten teeth, they got good vet care, were never dirty or left with matts or needing a good groom, had clean ears etc so what i mean is based purely on my own experience on that day (but i know of annual repeated visits through the college i attended and reports were always the same) they didnt have a bad old life.

[Millys Mum]

I dont buy their well worded blurb.

IMO keeping dogs and cats in an environment just to test food is wrong, theres plenty of people struggling to feed their animals that could do the same?

They can justify creating CRF in a cat because they say it doesnt cause suffering......

Regular blood tests and urine samples being taken cant be fun for the animals. Without these things how can they claim to be able improve health, you cant tell just be looking...

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

No i dont thionk it needs a triangle 

However I do question their repy to you cos obviously they do a lot of experimentation on animals but have skimmed over this by saying they dont do certain things, which is great, but what do they actually do?

[unseeliechylde]

Its good they responded - I'm guessing that things should improve as consumers put increased pressure on these big corporations to be accountable for their treatment of animals.
There is a small, cynical part of me that would have liked to have heard from the "vets, animal charities and dog support organisations" - which ones? And why can't they actually quote this positive feedback?
Still, assuming it isn't "spin", it's good to see they are aware of the need to improve animal welfare and be able to evidence good practice that is beyond compliance to minimal guidelines.
Do you think they'd let a Purrs delegation have a look round?

[Mark]

I don't think so but it's not up to me 

[Yvonne]

That is why I deleted it to avoid confusion but I am not sure that it will avoid any confusion.

By the way do you think that it needs a triangle thingy?  You know how touchy some people can be.

[Mark]

  Sorry - I forgot it was on that thread.

[Yvonne]

Yes you did reply to it Mark - I started a new thread because not many people had looked and the Fav Catfoods has been going for quite some time and I would like to get some replies in view of the fact that Mars have been good enough to respond even though I could have sworn that I wrote to Proctor and Gamble  

[Dawn F]

I saw the reply!

[Mark]

  Was the other thread deleted?
I'm sure I replied to it unless it didn't post 

[Yvonne]

Hi all,

Just noticed this e-mail in my inbox from Mars it obviously slipped through the net.
Does anybody have any comments?

From: CONSUMER.CARE@UK.MARS.COM     
Subject: Re: Research Labs


Dear Yvonne

Thank you for contacting us regarding Mars and our policy on animal testing.

We care passionately about animals and their wellbeing.

In developing our food, pet care, snack and drinks products, we do not undertake, support or sponsor research involving euthanasia, vivisection or the suffering of any animal.

The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition is the world's leading authority of petcare and nutrition. As a business, we rely upon the good health and welfare of pets. Consequently, we do not partake in vivisection, and strongly condone research alternatives in which there is no cost to animal comfort.
 
The happiness and well-being of the pets at Waltham is our highest priority. We understand the importance of providing a comforting environment; every dog has an individual name and character, and their carer empathises with this during play and socialisation.
All the dogs are taken through obedience training based on the "Three C's"; calmness, confidence and consistency. This ensures stability, and a singular training technique guarantees the dogs are never confused. This results is well balanced and behaved pets. Good behaviours are reinforced with treats, whilst bad behaviour is ignored, and never punished.
At Waltham our aim is to provide a 'home' environment for our pets. The animals at Waltham are all treated as much loved, well socialised pets. Every dog has a carer, and is exercised and played with daily. Their kennels have access to outdoor runs and paddock areas. Most dogs share a kennel with one other dog for company. Our cats live in colonies, with facilities developed to allow them to socialise as they choose, and they are provided with a large range of stimulating toys. All of our facilities are spacious and specifically designed to mimic a home environment as closely as possible. We also ensure that each pet experiences at lease eight hours of interaction with people per day; more than many domestic pets receive in a working household.
 
We are in regular contact with the Home Office, who carry out full and open inspections of our premises. Their reports show complete approval of the caring approach we adopt at Waltham, and the Home Office encourage us to share this established practice. In the event of a Waltham scientist working with an outside party, we ensure that wherever possible, our ethical principles are upheld.
 
Our fundamental aim and objective at Waltham is to improve the health, well-being and longevity of companion animals worldwide. Our work has allowed us to further the understanding of the different nutritional requirements pets have at certain life stages. We have also developed many products to help alleviate many illnesses and nutritional disorders, including products that have:
Helped cats avoid the development of feline urinary tract disease, a condition which affects over 100,000 cats in the UK, and can be painful and potentially life threatening.

Enabled dogs with sensitive digestive systems to enjoy normal meals. Over 750,000 dogs in the UK suffer from digestive sensitivity, which can cause chronic diarrhoea. Some breeds are particularly susceptible, with 20% of all German Shepherd dogs displaying digestive discomfort.

Helped the 75,000 dogs with diabetes in the UK to live more comfortable lives, and also developed prescribed special diets for cats and dogs with chronic disease conditions, such as kidney or liver failure. This has helped them to continue to lead normal existences. There are many other examples we can cite, demonstrating how we have made a major contribution to pet health. This in turn helps to prevent suffering through disease, and enhances the well-being of pets worldwide.
Waltham welcomes approximately 5000 visitors from around the world every year, including vets, animal charities and dog support organisations. We are often praised for the quality of our care and facilities.

Following studies at Waltham our pets are re-homed to families or stay in the care of the centre.


If you need any further information or advice please contact our Consumer Careline on the telephone number below and one of our Consumer Care Advisors will be more than happy to help you.

Kind regards.
Susan Raynor
Consumer Care Team
0800 738 800