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Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"

Articles and Reports

Letter to Charles River Laboratories Requesting an Inspection of Animals in their Facilities


Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
1081-B St. Rt. 28 PMB 280
Milford, Ohio 45150
513-575-5517
www.saenonline.org 

3 May 2007

James C. Foster
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Charles River Laboratories, Inc.
251 Ballardvale Street
Wilmington, MA 01887-1000

Mr. Foster,

I am contacting you because I am very concerned about the animals within Charles River Laboratories.

As you know, the USDA/APHIS/AC is charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act in the United States, and this responsibility includes animal laboratories. The USDA publishes the results of their efforts every year. During the last five years violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by laboratories have increased by 90%. Clearly, the USDA is not doing their job and protecting animals adequately.

Charles River uses a significant number of animals in experimentation. I am very concerned for the safety and well-being of these animals based on the fact that the federal agency which is charged with their protection is clearly not performing adequately. I am also very concerned about the animals at all Charles River facilities because the animal care at Charles River has been shown to be inadequate by government reports. These reports document 22 violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) at Charles River facilities in 2005. It is very clear that your facilities in Massachusetts and Nevada have failed to follow federal regulations and I feel it is necessary to verify that an effort is being made to improve the conditions for the animals.

In many instances animal research is funded by the National Institutes of Health whose budget is based upon the use of federal tax dollars. As a result, all citizens of the United States have a direct interest in both the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act and the utilization of federal funds for animal experimentation.

Therefore, I feel compelled to ask to perform an inspection of all Charles River Laboratories research facilities that utilize animals in any way to insure that animals within your labs are being treated adequately and to assess the status of your facility regarding adherence to the AWA. Many laboratories across the U.S. typically give access to the general public, so I do not see how this request could be a problem.

Additionally, since I am a graduate of an accredited Animal Health Technology program at the University of Cincinnati, I am certain that I will be able to abide by all requirements for sterility.

However, I would like to make something clear about this inspection request. I want to see all animals at your facility as fully as possible. Internet resources now make recent government reports about your facility available to the public, and so I have a good idea of how many animals you lab typically handles.

Also, since the general public has a clear interest in what takes place in federally funded laboratories, I would like to have the ability to bring members of the news media with me so that the tour may be made available to the public.

I appreciate your cooperation regarding this tour, and I expect to receive a response within 5 business days.

In addition to the above address, I can be reached by email at: [email protected] or by telephone at: 513-575-5517.

With Respect For All Life,

Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T.,
Executive Director, SAEN

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