How Shelter Pets are Brokered for Experimentation: Understanding Pound Seizure

Back in the 1940s, the practice referred to as Opound seizureO became a common practice in taxpayer-funded animal shelters across the country. Whether for cosmetic testing, human or animal drug testing, medical technique and tool testing, or biochemical testing, these once-family pets are subjected to experimentation that often ends in death. While many states fail to keep accurate data, the number of pets that become victims of pound seizure easily reaches the thousands and though most citizens are unaware of the practice, it may very well be happening at their local animal shelter. Pound seizure remains a dirty little secret in American society, but the practice is moving toward extinction with the help of local citizens advocating for change at their shelter, as well as animal rescue and welfare organizations providing assistance and advocacy. Learning more about the practice, as well as alternatives, will help give readers a fuller picture of whatOs happening in American animal shelters and what they can do to stem the tide of dealers and brokers sweeping off animals to their almost-certain demise.

About the Author

Allie Phillips is an author, attorney and advocate for the protection of animals and vulnerable victims. She is a former prosecuting attorney who has worked for the National District Attorneys Association where she launched the National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse. She was previously employed with American Humane Association as the Vice President of Public Policy and Vice President of Human-Animal Strategic Initiatives. Allie is a nationally-recognized expert on issues involving animal protection and advocacy. She is a volunteer with King Street Cats (Alexandria, VA) and Vice President of No Paws Left Behind. She co-founded Michiganders for Shelter Pets, is a council member of the Michigan State Bar Animal Law Section, on the steering committee of the National Link Coalition, and a Practitioner Member of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association. To learn more, please visit www.alliephillips.com.