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End Cat Dissection in Schools

32,462 signatures toward our 50,000 Goal

64.92% Complete

Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site

are one of the most commonly dissected animals in schools. Help end this practice and advocate for more humane alternatives!

are one of the most commonly dissected animals in schools. Help end this practice and advocate for more humane alternatives!

Millions of animals will be dissected in high schools across the U.S. this year. Many of those animals will be cats1</small.

Cats are one of the most commonly dissected animals in schools2</small.

According to investigations by PETA into biological supply companies that provide schools with animals for dissection, animals experience all kinds of horrifying abuse before they are killed and sold to schools3</small. In some cases, the cats used were first taken from shelters, pet stores and off the streets before they were killed and embalmed, denied any chance of a happy life.

Cats aren't the only ones suffering from this cruel practice. Children are also at risk of seeing cruelty normalized4</small.

A number of leaked videos show kids playing with mutilated animal bodies during dissection lessons, jumping rope with a cat's intestines and dancing with cat carcasses5</small.

Given the notorious link that exists between animal cruelty and violent behavior, it's unconscionable that we allow kids to dissect these animals.

Especially considering the fact that the dissection of any animal is archaic and downright unnecessary. From 3-D models to digital simulation programs, there are a host of dissection alternatives available that schools can and should embrace6</small.

Sign the petition and call for an end to cat dissection in U.S. schools now.

More on this issue:

  1. Genevieve Cottraux, The Humane Herald, (30 January 2018), "Animal Cruelty Inherent in Animal Dissection in Schools."
  2. American Anti-Vivisection Society (2022), "Animals in Science."
  3. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (2022), "Animals Used in Education."
  4. Rhiana Kohl, PhD (October 2011), "Childhood Animal Abuse and Violent Criminal Behavior: A Brief Review of the Literature."
  5. Emily Rohr, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (22 January 2019), "The Most Disturbing Dissection Classes EVER."
  6. Teachers Pay Teachers, "Why You Should Be Using 3-D Paper Dissection Models for Life Science and Biology."
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The Petition:

To The Secretary of Education and the United States Secretary of Agriculture,

Along with people around the world, I am horrified by the videos that have surfaced online of high school children playing with mutilated animal bodies during dissection lessons, jumping rope with a cat's intestines and dancing with cat carcasses.

No animal deserves this fate, yet many U.S. schools continue to purchase cat carcasses to be dissected in classrooms.

This supports a legacy of horrifying abuse, and an industry based on killing pets. In some cases, the cats used were first taken from shelters, pet stores or off the streets before they were killed and embalmed, denied any chance of a happy life.

In turn, children are seeing this cruelty normalized.

Given the notorious link that exists between animal cruelty and violent behavior, it's unconscionable that we allow high school students to dissect these animals. Especially considering the fact that the dissection of any animal is archaic and downright unnecessary.

There are numerous humane and educational alternatives to animal dissection, and little reason to continue the horrifying practice of dissecting dead cats.

I implore you to prohibit this practice in U.S. schools and protect cats from a cruel fate!

Sincerely,

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Signatures: