Part 2: The Verdict

My conclusion is that it is a "Catch 22" situation and whilst I know experimentation on animals will continue for the foreseeable future, I have made my own decision.

I'm against animal testing and I will not support any organisation or charity that carries out experiments on animals, even if the research is to save human life. 

I'm not so heartless that I don't cry when people lose loved ones or see their loved ones suffer.  The pain and suffering of innocent people is also heartbreaking, but the reason I choose to be 100% against all animal testing is that the poor animals don't know what's happening to them, they don't understand, they just feel the pain.  We at least are free, can understand that we're dying or suffering and take consolation from the people we love.  We have support and love all around us and those who are religious have their faith.  The poor laboratory animals are all alone.  They are prisoners serving a life sentence and being tortured for crimes they did not commit.

My resolution is to boycott all products tested on animals, including pharmaceutics.  I'm researching alternative therapies. 

The "Catch 22" is that although I have made my choice, I know it will not stop animal testing.  I even have to accept that my own beloved dogs will need veterinary care and drugs that have been tested on animals.  Part of the contract when rescuing animals from a charity is to ensure they receive veterinary care when ill or injured.  I will fulfill that obligation but with a heavy heart. 

So, although there's no happy ending to this part of my blog, this whole journey has made me reassess my outlook on life to the extent that I have decided to pursue holistic therapies in an attempt to develop my own "sixth sense", something I believe animals still possess but we have lost as we have evolved, choosing instead technology and science.

As a result, I looked at doing a distance learning course and starting my own business offering people alternative therapies to assist them in their lives.  Then the obvious hit me:  I would much rather help animals, so have found a course that will enable me to become a holistic animal therapist and go on to do canine massage therapy.  It will take 3 years.

This holistic approach will surprise many who know me, but it proves that if I can be open-minded and explore new avenues, other most unlikely people may be open-minded enough to switch to the cause for the ethical treatment of animals. 

My animal welfare blog will continue (time-permitting), investigating the welfare of animals in the food industry and highlighting the cruelty that is factory-farming.  Firstly, I have to arrange a visit to Laverstoke Park abattoir and watch my dinner die ......

To be continued .......