Several macaque monkeys are currently being tested on for medical research at the University of Austin. These primates face possible euthanasia once the university has finished using them for its studies. This is common practice, as euthanasia is often the only option for surviving research animals. But it doesn’t have to be this way. These monkeys may have years of high-quality life ahead of them after the testing is completed. Why kill them needlessly?  The Austin chapter of Students Against Cruelty to Animals (SACA) is asking researchers to relocate  these monkeys to a sanctuary rather than euthanize them after the research is over.

Please sign this petition to show support for our cause and help save the lives of some of nature’s cutest and most intelligent beings. Join us in asking the University of Austin not to euthanize these animals when there is another viable choice.

In my view a research animal euthanasia at the end of their research study if they  do not pose a biological threat to other animals due to their research study. These macaques are being used for vision testing. They have no infectious diseases, and would not pose a threat to other animals or humans if relocated.

SACA wishes to relocate them to sanctuaries, where they can get a chance to live out the rest of their lives naturally. SACA would provide all of the funds related to relocating the primates, to make this process as easy as possible for the researchers, the Institutional Animal Care Use Committee (IACUC) and the University.

When we reached out to the IACUC to express our wishes, they told us that any relocation process would be costly and it simply couldn’t afford it. When we suggested that SACA would be happy to lead the fundraising charge, the IACUC responded by saying it was not interested in fundraising and it would not like to pursue any sort of relationship with us that might result in rescuing these animals.  

All we ask is that the University and IACUC commit to relocating these primates. SACA is happy to raise the money to cover the costs. It would require almost nothing of them, and they should jump at the chance to show the world their commitment to both research and humane animal care.  

We seek your for support to help us encourage IACUC to do the right thing and relocate, rather than euthanize, the macaques. Will you help us save lives? Please sign our petition.