Target: Tom Vilsack, United States Secretary of Agriculture
Goal: Demand that octopus and other invertebrates receive the same protections as other animals in laboratory settings.
Octopuses are alarmingly intelligent creatures. These clever animals have demonstrated a series of complex behaviors rare in the animal kingdom, including tool use and camouflage. Octopuses have also proved able to solve mazes and recognize the faces of different people. Unfortunately, these incredible creatures—as well as all invertebrates like insects and other cephalopods—aren’t recognized as “animals,” and do not receive the same protections in experimental settings as do other species.
Even mice, rats, and fish receive some standard level of welfare in laboratories. In the U.S., before researchers can experiment on these and other vertebrates, they must receive approval from various committees to ensure they abide by federal housing and care standards. The same isn’t true for the octopus and other back boneless creatures—which is partially why they are becoming increasingly used in scientific studies.
But who are we to deem some organisms as worthy of rights, or capable of feeling pain, and others as not? Sign this petition to ensure that all animals—including octopuses and other invertebrates—are covered by animal welfare laws.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
Octopuses are remarkable animals, capable of extremely complex cognitive and behavioral feats that remain relatively unparalleled by many other creatures. Octopuses have been shown to recognize human faces, use tools to solve difficult tasks, camouflage and shape shift, among other things. Unlike humans and most other vertebrates, octopus’ neurons are actually dispersed throughout their body, and these animals can taste, touch and control basic motions through their 8 arms.
Despite this astounding intelligence, scientific committees fail to recognize them—as well as other invertebrate species—as sentient beings deserving of rights. Even mice, rats, and fish possess rights–even if minimal–and research involving vertebrate animals requires approval to ensure standard levels of housing and care are enforced. Since there are essentially no definitive rules outlining the use of invertebrates species in laboratory settings, octopuses and other cephalopods and insects are being increasingly used in a series of painful, unregulated experiments.
We are asking you, Mr. Vilsack, to please implement a standard level of care and treatment for all invertebrates used in scientific research. After all, what gives us the right to deem others capable or incapable of feeling pain when we are all sentient just the same?
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: DaugaardDK
300 Signatures