Public Relations
Carpe Diem Corporate Communications are a PR consultancy with 15 years experience of the science and biomedical industries. Carpe Diem have been the lead PR Consultants for the IAT for a number of years and have helped us to generate a more positive understanding of the role and responsibilities of Animal Technologists and to influence policy, scientific and public opinion in all aspects of animal care, welfare and use in science.
Currently the essential
work undertaken by Animal Technologists is poorly understood,
despite the immense benefits it brings to human and veterinary
medicine. Animal
Technologists have a major contribution to make to ensure that the
public and scientific environment imposes the highest possible
animal welfare standards.
Members
are concerned that the wider scientific community and the
general public should understand the following key facts about
Animal Technologists and their work:
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Animal Technologists are a specialised and distinct group of professionals who are responsible for the care and welfare of animals used in biomedical research.
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Only people with a genuine desire to work with animals are appointed as Animal Technologists; they have concern and respect for the animals and a deep sense of responsibility for their well being, they look after the animals with great care and skill.
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Accusations of cruelty, abuse, torture, and unnecessary work are false and Animal Technologists object to them very strongly. Animal Technologists are responsible, conscientious and dedicated to animal welfare. (Research using animals is enormously expensive, complicated and demands a great deal from all those involved – it is never done lightly).
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The UK has unequalled high standards of legal control and commitment to animal welfare and it is Animal Technologists who ensure the legislation is obeyed, for Animal Technologists the animals always come first – the research comes second.
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Animal Technologists are energetic in sharing knowledge and new techniques that might benefit the animals.
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In the UK the use of animals in cosmetics research has long since ceased.
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Being an animal technician can be dangerous and frightening – society sometimes seems to disregard violent protest and attacks against people doing a legitimate, caring and essential job - on the bases of lies as few as 10,000 activists (and only a few hundred violent ones) are threatening to hold the future of healthcare to ransom.
If you would like more
information on any of the issues discussed in this section or
have a query please contact us through the email links listed.
If you are a journalist and would like to know more about the IAT please go to IAT Media Services.
If you are member of the public and would like to know more about the IAT please email us with your questions.
