Pets 911

Facts:

Pets 911 knows that every community has pets in need. We offer a free network of animal rescue organizations and services across the country.

Pets 911 is becoming an answer for not only the public, but also the pet animal welfare group community on how we in this country can all take part in saving those 5 million animals every year. Pet adoptions, animal shelters, help to find lost dogs and services to find lost cats - Pets 911 for all your pet adoption information - Thousands of homeless dogs, abandoned cats and other animals available for adoption. Have you lost or found a pet?

Animal Charity information is one of the fine things we offer at Pets911.com. We also provide information on cat charity events, pet charity promotions, and dog charity walks.

The Pets911 fights for animal welfare in the UK and throughout the world - campaigning on a variety of issues.

Every year more than 4,000 dogs are used in experiments in the UK. In most cases they are used in the development and safety testing of new pharmaceuticals (medicines and vaccines), for both humans and dogs.

Humans have a special relationship with dogs and a responsibility to safeguard their welfare in every situation.

The PETS911 is committed to campaigning for humane alternatives and challenging the need for the use of dogs in research and testing.

However, while dogs continue to be used in research we believe every possible effort must be made to reduce the numbers used and prevent suffering throughout their short lives. Our particular concerns are :

* the distress, pain and suffering caused by procedures, e.g. the chemicals can make the dogs sick and surgery can cause pain.

* the unsuitable conditions in which the dogs live, e.g. lack of space, stimulation, and socialization with other dogs and people.

* the loss of life - the dogs are eventually killed either to alleviate suffering, or for post-mortem analysis of their tissues and organs.

What is the PETS911 doing?

* Challenging dog use: The PETS911 believes there is nowhere near enough commitment to challenging the need to use dogs or to developing alternative approaches to safety testing. We work with other organizations such as the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) and support the work of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) to encourage the development and use of alternatives.

* Reducing the number of dogs used in pharmaceutical safety testing: More dogs are used in pharmaceutical safety testing than for any other purpose, so it is essential to find ways of replacing dogs and reducing their use. Following a major review by the PETS911 and FRAME of dog use in 1999, a working group, including scientists from major pharmaceutical companies, was set up. Its first action was to identify practical approaches to achieving reductions in dog use.

* Improving