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| World Day For Animals In Laboratories | |
|---|---|
 Laboratory rat | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Animal rights |
| Date | April 24 |
| Begins | April 18 |
| Ends | April 24 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Various locations worldwide |
| Country | Global |
| Years active | Since 1979 |
| Inaugurated | April 24, 1979 |
| Activity | Demonstrations and protests against animal research |
| Leader | National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) |
| World Day For Animals In Laboratories is recognized by animal rights groups and some United Nations affiliates, but it is not an official United Nations observance. | |
World Day For Animals In Laboratories (WDAIL; also known asWorld Lab Animal Day)[1] is observed every year on 24 April. The surrounding week has come to be known as "World Week for Animals In Laboratories".[2] TheNational Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) describes the day as an "international day of commemoration"[1] foranimals in laboratories.
In 1979, NAVS established World Day for Laboratory Animals (also referred to as Lab Animal Day) on April 24 – LordHugh Dowding's birthday. This international day of commemoration is recognised by the United Nations, and is now marked annually by anti-vivisectionists on every continent. In 1980,People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), led by PETA Founder,Ingrid Newkirk, organized the first World Day for Laboratory Animals protest in the U.S.[3]
Today the event is marked by demonstrations and protests by groups opposed to the use of animals in research.[4] In April 2010 protesters marched through centralLondon calling for an end to the use of animals in research,.[5][6][7] A similar march took place inBirmingham in 2012.[8] andNottingham in 2014.[9]
World Day and World Week For Animals In Laboratories have also attracted attention from scientific groups defending the use of animals in research. On 22 April 2009 members ofUCLA Pro-Test held a rally in support of biomedical research on animals,[10] and to condemn the violence and harassment directed at faculty member Prof. David Jentsch by animal activists.[11][12]
NAVS and other groups opposed to animal research have claimed that World Day For Animals In Laboratories is recognised by theUnited Nations.[1][13][14] However, the day is not included on the official list of United Nations observances.[15]
