Scottish Activist Kicks Off PETA’S ‘Snarl-In’ Tour In Edinburgh

Canine Chorus Part of International Campaign Against Iams’ Animal Tests


For Immediate Release:
20 August 2004


Contact:
Yvonne Taylor 020 7357 9229, ext 405
Sean Gifford 020 7357 9229, ext 226


 Edinburgh – She hit the headlines for being deported from China after an “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” protest, and she has gatecrashed catwalks in Paris in her efforts to end animal abuse. Now, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK’s new Scottish campaigner, Yvonne Taylor, is leading the battle against pet-food company Iams and their torturous tests on animals. Accompanied by her canine companion, Zack, she will tour the UK, hosting “snarl-in” protests as part of PETA UK’s international campaign against Iams (owned by Procter & Gamble).


Joined by barking dogs and activists holding aloft signs that read, “Iams: Stop Torturing Animals”, Yvonne will kick off the tour with a “snarl-in” in Edinburgh to persuade shoppers to leave Iams pet food on store shelves until the company stops conducting painful tests on animals living in bleak conditions in laboratories:



Date:  Sunday, 22 August
Time:  12 noon – 1 pm
Place: Princes Street (at the foot of Castle Street)


A PETA undercover investigation revealed deplorable conditions at an Iams contract laboratory in the US. At least 27 dogs were killed, while others died of illnesses that went untreated, despite assurances from Iams that no animal in any Iams test would ever be deliberately killed. PETA’s investigator also found:


• Dogs and cats confined to small, barren cages, some for up to six years
• Dogs’ vocal cords were surgically cut out so that they couldn’t bark
• Dogs with untreated ear infections, rotten teeth and injured paws from having to balance on metal-slatted cages and lie on cold cement
• Workers’ reports of a live kitten who was washed down a drain
• Terrified, unsocialised animals cowering in cages
• Extreme heat and humidity in kennels during summer months and near-freezing temperatures in winter
• Dogs being force-fed vegetable oil through tubes inserted down their throats


“We’re howling mad that Iams is hurting and killing dogs and cats while feeding their customers a load of fiction about caring”, says Yvonne. “Dogs and cats shouldn’t be forced to suffer for Iams’ profits. New dog and cat foods should be tested in people’s loving homes, not on caged, lonely animals in secret laboratories.”


Broadcast-quality footage of animals in an Iams contract laboratory is available. For more information, please visit IamsCruelty.com.


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