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for laboratory animals: The “Cologne model”
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The Wermelskirchen animal
shelter places former laboratory dogs in families.
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After being used in research, some animals can lead a life
as a domestic pet. The Cologne model helps here: a program
which places former laboratory animals with private individuals.
It was set up in 1985 by committed individuals from the animal
welfare field and scientists involved in animal studies.
The animals placed are almost all dogs and cats. They are
released to the Wermelskirchen animal shelter by Bayer free
of charge. They have been examined thoroughly and then vaccinated
by veterinary surgeons. The cats are also neutered. In most
cases, these animals have been used in studies designed to
develop veterinary products to treat parasitic infections.
Around 2,400 animals have now been placed as part of the
“Cologne model”. “The demand has risen so
greatly that we have now had to introduce waiting lists,”
explains Magda Ditges, the head of the Wermelskirchen animal
shelter. They make sure that the former laboratory animals
are placed into experienced hands. “Another requirement
is that the animals must not be left alone for too long during
the day,” stresses the animal welfare professional.
And are laboratory animals any different from their domesticated
counterparts? “You have to introduce them to life in
a family gradually, and even more so to life in a town - but
after that they give as much joy and happiness as any other
animal.”
The Richter family can confirm this. They brought Vita home
from the Wermelskirchen animal shelter one-and-half years
ago as part of the “Cologne model”. Vita is a
beagle. A “laboratory dog”. Medicinal products
for animals were tested on her for six months at Bayer. “Probably
flea and worm treatments,” Sabine Richter (38) now knows.
“I had actually expected a dog from a research laboratory
to present a few problems,” admits Sabine Richter, “but
Vita was a very nice surprise.” Within a very short
time, she was house- trained, she was friendly with dogs and
people alike - and barking? “To tell the truth, for
a while I didn’t think she could.”
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Sabine Richter with her
two adopted dogs, Vita and Rick.
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Only with obedience did she have a few problems. Until she
was entered in obedience classes.
“We were very lucky with the dog trainer. She not only
taught Vita a lot, but us too. Particularly about how to handle
dogs in an intelligent manner.”
“I have stopped counting the number of times people
have told me that laboratory animals are all damaged,”
says Sabine Richter. “That is complete nonsense. Vita
is a totally normal dog.”
Contact address:
Magda Ditges
Tierheim Wermelskirchen
Am Assenberg 1
D 42929 Wermelskirchen
Internet: www.tierheim-wermelskirchen.de (available only in German)
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