The kittens are fed raw meat infected with Toxoplasma and their faeces is collected to harvest the parasite. The cats are then killed and incinerated.
TOM EMBURY-DENIS: ‘Documents provided by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed that scientists from a research laboratory in Maryland have been breeding them killing up to 100 kittens a year. The figures were obtained by animal rights watchdog White Coat Waste Project (WCWP), who filed a freedom of information request.
The two-month-old kittens are fed raw meat infected with Toxoplasma – a parasite that causes the disease toxoplasmosis – for two to three weeks. Their faeces is then collected to harvest the parasite for use in other experiments designed to combat food-borne illnesses. The cats are then killed and incinerated, it is alleged.
Justin Goodman, vice president of public policy for WCWP, said: “I think most tax payers would be alarmed and disgusted to learn that for decades they have essentially been funding a USDA kitten slaughter house here in Beltsville right outside the Beltway.” According to WCWP, documents showed nearly all the infected kittens were healthy…
Is a statement, the USDA defended its research, saying the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, was one of the most widespread in the world… It said the laboratory made “every effort to minimise the number of cats used” in the research… Our goal is to reduce the spread of toxoplasmosis”.’ SOURCE…
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