Public urged to look for humane seal of approval

A recent poll by Opinion Research Corporation International asked 1,000 adults how they prefer their charitable donations be utilized. Not surprisingly, the majority said they would be more likely to donate to a health charity that does not conduct animal experiments. But until now, there was no way of identifying "cruelty free" charities without a great deal of investigating.

In response, the Council on Humane Giving - a coalition of physicians and animal protection organizations - developed the humane charity seal of approval, a stamp of approval that charitable dollars are not spent on research using animals.

This spring, our community will host March of Dimes' WalkAmerica fundraiser. Many mothers and fathers and other caring individuals participate in this event, and in other health charity fundraisers that occur throughout the year. Sadly though, many of the funds raised in WalkAmerica go directly to animal experiments that are unlikely to help babies, or any humans for that matter. Animal experiments are notoriously bad predictors regarding birth defects, and many even lead us in the wrong direction completely. As a nurse, I urge all readers wanting to donate their time and money to choose from the list of organizations bearing the humane charity seal of approval at www.HumaneSeal.org. There they will find a list of organizations committed to promoting human health through patient services, health education, and vital research without the use of animals.

Suzanne Dragan, L.P.N.

host, "Animal Talk"

Central Jersey 1450 AM WCTC

New Brunswick