The University of South Florida is one of 40 public research universities in the nation. Funding for USF research projects come from private donors and taxpayers. Research conducted at this university is often kept muted, so donors and taxpayers are not able to access the information regarding the experiment. According the the Humane Society of the United States, USF houses over 200 animals for scientific research. These animals are kept in one of 13 facilities in over three Florida counties. The animals are subjects to various experiments, research, and the study of different diseases.

Often times, the animals are harmed, mistreated, and as a result undergo pain to fulfill the experiment requirements. Experiments conducted on university grounds are frequently classified as failures when the scientific expectations are not satisfied. Most of the animals that are subjects in experiments that are categorized as failures, are killed to avoid them from living in misery. 

Alternatives to avoid animal research and testing exist but are often not used by scientists. Non-animal options are humane, affordable, reliable, and effective. If animal experimentation at the University of South Florida was replaced with alternatives that do not involve animals, hundreds or even thousands of animals could possibly be able to live a life without pain.  

This petition is not to stop all animal testing, rather it’s to initiate change. The change being that the University of South Florida should be required to release all the data collected from experiments in which animals are involved. This is a simple step so that donors and taxpayers are able to see how their money is  used. If those who contribute to funding scientific projects don’t agree with the use of their money, they can choose to stop those actions from happening. If enough people were to sign this petition, the university will be aware that the community is actively participating in the projects the university is involved in. 

Sign and save an innocent animal's life!

"Cats Tormented and Killed in University Lab." PETA People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

"Comparative Medicine." Research & Innovation. University of South Florida, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

"Internal Funding Programs." USF Research & Innovation. University of South Florida, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014.

 Langan, Shelly. "Animal Testing at University Remains Controversial." The Oracle [Tampa] 23 Apr. 2008: n. pag. Web.