Seneca College sends Vet Tech "practice" calves for slaughter

[Catherine]

Quote:This is yet another case where publicity via the net helps to change policies. Next year looks hopeful, as the coordinator has promised a review and knows people are watching....

That is what makes this an important story. This college will change its policies and it's students will be more aware in future. They will start questioning what happens to the animals they work with. Students in similar programs in other colleges will take note and ask about the animals they work with.  It will be a gradual process, but change could happen. Up until now Universities and colleges have treated the animals they use as just another piece of equipment. At the end of the year they are spare inventory and can be disposed of. The students at Seneca College have made us aware that the calves they used were real and had feelings and personalities. They cannot go back to being "equipment" again.

Real changes happen when people question how things are done. If the college had let the students buy those 4 calves the story might have died out. Future classes might not become attached to their calves. Because these 4 calves were sent for slaughter the students reacted more strongly and made the story public. Publicity really is a powerful tool for change. I hope there are follow-up stories about college policy changes.