19.122024December 22, 2024
 2023 Statistics for Animal Experiments in Ireland 

 2023 Statistics for Animal Experiments in Ireland 

By In Botox, Irish Animal Statistics

The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society (IAVS) is deeply appalled at the latest annual increase in animal suffering in Irish labs. Statistics for the year 2023 reveal 107,873 animal experiments, an increase of 14,934 or 16% compared with 2022. 

The figures for the pain and suffering caused by these experiments make for even more worrying reading. There has been a disturbing rise in the number of animals forced to endure ‘severe’ suffering, going up from 13,212 to 19,816, an increase of 6,604 or almost 50%.

16.112024November 22, 2024
General Elections November 29th

General Elections November 29th

By In IAVS News

PLEASE BE A VOICE FOR ANIMALS

Ahead of the general election on November 29th, your local candidates will be out and about in your area trying to get your vote. Please consider taking the opportunity to ask them about their position on animal welfare.

05.072024July 13, 2024
Rabbit Pyrogen Test to be deleted from Pharmacopoeia

Rabbit Pyrogen Test to be deleted from Pharmacopoeia

By In European Commission

Pyrogen detection is essential for ensuring the safety of parenteral medicines. For decades, the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) has been the traditional method.
The RPT involves measuring the rise in body temperature in rabbits following intravenous injection of the substance to be examined.

Despite multiple efforts to encourage medicine developers to move away from the RPT, the test is still widely used to detect pyrogenic substances, consuming a large number of rabbits worldwide.

04.072024July 4, 2024
Demonstration against Live Export

Demonstration against Live Export

By In IAVS News

Ethical Farming Ireland are holding a live export protest outside Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin on July 9th from 12:00 - all individuals and groups welcome.

Whilst the UK has just banned live export, Ireland continues to send thousands of unweaned calves on long journeys to cruel veal farms and thousands of young bulls are sent on gruelling sea journeys to countries with no animal welfare regulations in place and appalling standards.

19.062024June 19, 2024
Demonstration against slaughterhouse violence

Demonstration against slaughterhouse violence

By In IAVS News

Sentient Rights Ireland request support for a demo top of Grafton St, Dublin in June 29th from 12 Noon to 2.00pm - all individuals and groups welcome.

Express your horror at Shannonside slaughterhouse and the other 85 slaughterhouse's in Ireland, the 44 knackeries and several other places where horses and farmed animals are whacked and disappear, then enter the food chain for humans or domestic animals without any proper traceability.

24.042024April 24, 2024

IAVS Chairperson on Near FM for WDAIL

By In Botox, World Day for Animals in Laboratories

Catherine Morrow Chairperson for The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society spoke to Near FM in Dublin City Centre about the high numbers of mice being used in Ireland to test for Botox. The IAVS together with SAFRIreland, NARA, Sentient Rights Ireland and The Party for Animal Welfare were handing out leaflets to the public to commemorate World Day for Animals in Laboratories.

19.042024April 20, 2024
Strong scientific support for animal consciousness

Strong scientific support for animal consciousness

By In International News

Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient

Far more animals than previously thought likely have consciousness, top scientists say in a new declaration — including fish, lobsters and octopus.

Bees play by rolling wooden balls — apparently for fun. The cleaner wrasse fish appears to recognize its own visage in an underwater mirror. Octopuses seem to react to anesthetic drugs and will avoid settings where they likely experienced past pain.

All three of these discoveries came in the last five years — indications that the more scientists test animals, the more they find that many species may have inner lives and be sentient. A surprising range of creatures have shown evidence of conscious thought or experience, including insects, fish and some crustaceans.

That has prompted a group of top researchers on animal cognition to publish a new pronouncement that they hope will transform how scientists and society view — and care — for animals.

17.042024April 17, 2024
World Day For Animals In Laboratories 2024

World Day For Animals In Laboratories 2024

By In Botox

The Irish Anti-Vivisection Society, SAFRIreland, NARA, Sentient Rights Ireland and The Party for Animal Welfare will be commemorating World Day for Animals in Laboratories on Wednesday April 24th at 13:00 in Dublin City Centre.

We will be highlighting the thousands of animals suffering in Irish laboratories with a leaflet drop outside the Stephen's Green shopping centre in Dublin City. Join us in spreading awareness and commemorating the suffering of millions of animals all over the world.

15.032024August 8, 2024
€125 million invested into animal-free innovations

€125 million invested into animal-free innovations

By In International News

The Dutch National Growth Fund will invest 124.5 million euros in a new centre for animal-free biomedical testing. Of this investment, 55 million euros are awarded directly and 69.5 million euros are granted subject to conditions. Known as the Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation, its aim is to generate safer, more effective treatments, while reducing animal suffering.

The Centre for Animal-Free Biomedical Translation (CPBT) will use this funding from the National Growth Funds (NGF) to accelerate the transition to animal-free biomedical innovations. This will offer economic and social benefits with improved medicines and less animal testing.

26.022024February 27, 2024
Replacing Botox testing to reduce severe suffering

Replacing Botox testing to reduce severe suffering

By In Botox

Botulinum toxin (Bt) is a neurotoxin which induces muscle paralysis by blocking neurotransmitters. Bt is used for treating medical conditions (such as migraines and lazy eye), and in cosmetic procedures to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The manufacture of Bt products is approved for medical purposes – and the use of animals in testing procedures is authorised for that reason. However, huge numbers of practitioners use them “off-label” for aesthetic treatments. “Off-label use” is known to be widespread, but it is not known what percentage is used for cosmetic versus medical applications. Indeed, there has been a documented surge in demand for Bt-based products within the cosmetic industry. In 2022, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimated over 9 million “Botox” treatments were administered, a global increase of 26.1% compared to 7 million in 2021.

As Bt is a biological product, the potency of each batch needs to be tested and assured before it can be used in humans. The standard method, an LD50 assay using mice, determines the lethal dose that kills 50% of test animals. The increasing demand of Bt products has involved large numbers of animals undergoing ‘severe’ procedures.