Northern Ireland says "NO" to Animal Cruelty

25/03/2025

24/03/2025

“In the ears of these monsters, who only know profit and blood, who hide behind unjust laws, our breath has been wasted. Justice for the victims of vivisection will be achieved not with boycotts and protests, but with our sledgehammers at the labs doors.” - Animal Liberation Front

24/03/2025

Fight animal testing!

Here are some key facts about why animal testing usually fails to translate to human trials and why it is inhumane:

1. Biological Differences Limit Relevance - Animals and humans differ significantly in anatomy, physiology, and genetics. For example, a drug that works in mice, whose biology is vastly different from humans, may not work the same way in people. According to a 2004 study published in *Nature Reviews Drug Discovery*, about 92% of drugs that pass animal tests fail in human clinical trials due to inefficacy or safety issues.

2. High Failure Rates - The translation from animal models to human success is notoriously poor. A 2019 analysis in *Translational Research* found that only about 10% of drugs tested successfully in animals end up being approved for human use. This is often because animal models don’t accurately mimic complex human diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, or cardiovascular conditions.

3. Species-Specific Responses - Drugs can have drastically different effects across species. For instance, thalidomide, a drug tested safely in animals in the 1950s, caused severe birth defects in humans. Conversely, penicillin, a lifesaving antibiotic for humans, is toxic to guinea pigs and hamsters. These examples highlight how unreliable animal testing can be as a predictor of human outcomes.

4. Outdated Methodology - Animal testing dates back centuries and relies heavily on techniques that predate modern science. It’s been surpassed by advanced alternatives like organ-on-chip technology, 3D bioprinting, and human cell-based models, which can better replicate human physiology. A 2021 report in *ALTEX* noted that these innovations often provide more accurate data without ethical concerns.

5. Ethical and Barbaric Practices - Animal testing involves procedures that cause significant suffering, such as force-feeding, surgical interventions without adequate anesthesia, or inducing diseases like cancer or paralysis. The Humane Society International estimates that over 115 million animals are used in experiments worldwide annually, subjected to pain and distress for results that, more often than not, don’t apply to humans.

6. Regulatory Lag - Despite evidence of its limitations, animal testing persists partly due to entrenched regulatory requirements. Agencies like the FDA have historically demanded animal data, even when human-relevant alternatives exist. However, in 2023, the U.S. passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, allowing non-animal methods for drug approval, signaling a shift away from this practice.

7. Wasted Resources - The inefficiency of animal testing consumes time, money, and lives—both animal and human. A 2015 study in PLOS Biology estimated that billions of dollars are spent annually on preclinical animal studies that fail to deliver viable treatments, delaying progress in human medicine.

Look for the CRUELTY-FREE logo and choose the compassionate option.

22/03/2025

So many sheppies in rescue 😭

Can anyone offer a sofa for this boy?

“Why has no one applied for me? Is it because I’m an old boy? I’m only eight. What will happen to me if no one wants me😭?”

Jake didn’t get any applications😰. This lovely dog has been chained up for a long time due to no fault of his own. He deserves a great home now. We hope there’s a loving family out there for our lovely Jake. He’s good with other big dogs, he’s very friendly and affectionate.

Jake accepts that cats are the boss!

To apply for Jake please fill out the attached form

https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=caw&method=online_form_html&formid=41

21/03/2025

Boycott Canada Goose!

With the rise in young people wearing these jackets, we thought you’d like the facts.

They use real coyote fur for hood trim, sourced from wild animals trapped in painful leg-hold traps. Coyotes can suffer for days before trappers kill them, often by gunshot or clubbing. Canada Goose claims it’s ‘ethical,’ but their fur comes from the same cruel industry, no tracing to specific ‘humane’ sources. They also use down feathers, often plucked from geese in distressing conditions. Ditch the cruelty and choose brands that don’t profit off animal suffering."

**Facts behind it:**

- Canada Goose uses coyote fur for its jacket hoods, sourced from trappers in North America. Their website states they adhere to the Fur Council of Canada’s guidelines, but these still allow leg-hold traps, which are widely criticized by animal welfare groups like PETA and the Humane Society for causing prolonged suffering.

- Trapped coyotes may endure injury, dehydration, or predation before death, per studies from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

- Down feathers in their jackets come from ducks and geese, and while Canada Goose claims to avoid live-plucking, investigations (e.g., PETA’s 2018 report) into the broader down industry show it’s common practice, with no clear evidence their supply chain is fully exempt.

- Alternatives exist! Synthetic fur and insulation perform just as well in cold climates, as proven by brands like Patagonia or The North Face.

Fur is for ugly people, inside and out.
See a fur coat? Chewing gum sticks to it like a treat.

21/03/2025

When we say “NO” to animal cruelty, we mean you too, Charlie boy!

F**k away aff round your own door, mammy’s boy 👊

14/03/2025

❤️‍🩹

🌟 update now fostered🌟

💕🐾FOSTER APPEAL 🐾💕

Everyone meet Asher.

Asher is a very special boy who needs a very special Foster home. He has the sweetest personality and the girls at the sanctuary have fallen in love with him. 💗

We are looking for someone who can foster Asher until he has recovered from his painful condition. Asher has been shaved as he was quite matted and he has issues with his back legs. He has mild hip displasia and tendon injuries. This has resulted in asher suffering from lameness and pain when he puts weight on his back legs.
He needs a home where someone will be home a lot of the time to give him the care he needs. He does not need an active home as he can only go on very small walks around a garden while going to the toilet.
We think a home with no dogs or maybe one other dog who is calm and older who will not be overwhelming for him.
Asher doesn't seem phased by cats so we think a home with cats will not be an issue.
Asher needs help to build up his strength and we will supply healthy food for him to gain the nutrients and supplements he needs.
If you think you can Foster asher please get in touch.
We will be doing thorough homechecks to make sure he gets the right home for his recovery. 🐾❤️

06/03/2025

The racing and hunting fraternity sure love their horses! 🙄

27/02/2025

This place needs to go.

A controversial dog breeding establishment near Fivemiletown has reported an increase in its financial standing for the year ending January 31,…

26/02/2025

🐕 An update on Mac 🐕

Our boy got his results back, which leaves us with two options - a rather extensive surgery with a long recovery time or palliative care.

You can see the summary the vet provided for me in pic 2.

You can see on image 3 the size of the tumour - being the mass on the left side.

We’re in the process of getting a second opinion from UCD Veterinary Hospital to see what they think, and if they have any alternative treatments or feel more confident in undertaking such a surgery.

My heart is completely broken. My boy is still wanting to go for walks, run about and play. The fact he is only 4 is the hardest part.

Thank you all very much for your donations. It means a hell of a lot and has enabled me to pay off a little bit of the money for his scans. You are all fantastic and I pray I can return the favour very soon, through fundraising or activism.

Dog bless,
Richie and Mac 🐾

26/02/2025

URGENT
This dog is in monaghan county council dog pound .
Dog ref 52 admitted as a voluntary surrender on 13.2.25 . 13 days in the pound and NO home / rescue offers . The council recommended maximum pound stay is 14 days . He is nearly there and the pound is nearly full....
Only 12 months old this boy is absolutely stunning and in great condition . German Shepherd / Collie mix . Large , VERY strong , very little basic training and will need an experienced firm owner . Friendly with staff , wary of strangers initially with a resounding bark ! He is a mix of a restricted breed in SI and ownership will accompany certain regulations . Needs rural location with large secure garden / yard . His status is URGENT , he has only a few days left to be safe .
To request a viewing appointment TEXT your name and 52 to 0879634121 ( SI ) / 00353 879634121 ( NI ) . Please be prepared to attend within a day or two .

22/02/2025

See a hunt? Tip us off! 🦊

We treat each message with complete anonymity.
Our team are thankful for every tip off we get.

Have a great weekend, folks!

18/02/2025

❤ FUNDRAISER APPEAL - PLEASE SHARE ❤

Dear animal rights family,

As many of you know, our NISNTAC mascot, Mac - the German Shepherd - has been my wee buddy for 4 years now and we're inseparable. His mother was liberated from a puppy mill in Cavan whilst she was pregnant with him and his siblings and I decided to take him on as my own little companion.

Anyone who has met Mac will testify to how special a dog he is and how in tune he is with my own emotions. I have C-PTSD from a serious assault, and Mac, as a puppy, knew to apply pressure across my legs when I was having flashbacks/panic symptoms - even though they aren't necessarily visible to anyone else. He really has helped me overcome quite a lot of mental challenges and has been a blessing to my life. Without him over the past few years, I don't actually know where I'd be.

Anyway, last month I noticed a bump on his right side ribcage. I took him to my vets and got some X-rays, bloodwork and a needle extraction done to try and ascertain exactly what it is. His bloods and the needle extraction came back normal, although my vet was still incredibly concerned given the x-ray and referred us to a specialist at Cromlyn House Veterinary Clinic in Hillsborough.

Mac received a CT scan and a biopsy under the care of Aidan at Cromlyn House. My insurance only covered the first £1,000, leaving me with a few more thousand to cover - and that's before we even think about what treatment to go for, when his biopsy is back. I had thought that my insurance covered up to £10,000 but that isn't the case.

We aren't exactly sure what type of mass is growing inside of Mac, but we do know that it is taking up a large space inside his abdomen and under his ribs, which is pushing his organs over to the left side of his body. We could see his kidney being pushed to the left very clearly on the CT scan.

I hate to beg and grovel on here and feel absolutely horrible in doing so but I would be eternally grateful for any donation, no matter how small.

I have spent the majority of my life at this point involved in animal rescue, animal rights campaigning/fundraising and liberations - and I hope friends could help me out just a little.

Even a share would help enormously.
GoFundMe link in comments.

Yours faithfully,
Richie