A letter published in the online edition of the Rocky Mountain Collegian Wednesday (“Call against inhumane animal treatment at Colorado State University”) contains irresponsible and inflammatory inaccuracies from the Beagle Freedom Project. Initially published with the letter was a photograph of a cat with a cranial implant. This was intended to depict research at CSU. This cat is not at our University, and no one at CSU conducts research of this nature.
The Beagle Freedom Project’s Identity Campaign, partly described in its letter, targets 18 well-known research universities nationwide in an effort to “adopt” cats and dogs from research programs to supporters. The project is generating revenue by charging each supporter $50 to help “adopt” a cat or dog.
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It is our long-standing practice to place companion animals in permanent homes whenever possible. We have been doing so for over 20 years, and have no problem finding homes in Colorado for our retired research animals.
As the Beagle Freedom Project should be aware, our whole research program is regularly reviewed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, chartered by the National Institutes of Health. Every study that involves animals at Colorado State requires written protocols that must be reviewed by our Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, as required by the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy.
CSU remains in good standing with the USDA, is fully accredited by the AAALAC and will continue to work to maintain one of the best programs in the country. We are proud to maintain an environment of care, respect and support for animals. This includes humane husbandry and veterinary care for research animals, with an emphasis on ethics, communication and safety.
Dr. Alan Rudolph
Vice President for Research
Colorado State University
