New Undercover Investigation: Meet Robert November 11, 2009
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For more than eight months in 2009, a PETA investigator worked undercover inside the laboratories of the University of Utah (UU) in Salt Lake City and documented miserable conditions for and terrible suffering of the dogs, cats, monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, frogs, cows, pigs, and sheep confined there.
Among those imprisoned in the campus laboratories was Robert. Robert was a gentle orange-and-white tabby cat, who was purchased by the labs for $15 from the local Davis County Animal Shelter. You see, according to an antiquated Utah state "pound-seizure" law, government-funded shelters are required to turn over animals to laboratories that request them, for use in invasive, painful experiments.
Laboratory workers renamed Robert "F09-017", and determined that he would be used in invasive brain experiments.
The experimenters implanted electrodes in Robert's brain, and began a series of tests in which electrical current was fired through the electrodes, stimulating nerves that caused Robert's legs to move involuntarily.
After each experiment, Robert was tired and groggy, his eyes became glassy, and he vomited repeatedly. Over time, this once affectionate cat became skittish and withdrawn.
When PETA's undercover investigator left the laboratory, Robert was still there, locked into his tiny cage, enduring experiment after experiment.
Please speak up for Robert and the other animals being abused at the University of Utah by signing our online petition, and leaving your messages of support for Robert in the comments.
Comments
I will never be able to understand how people can be so cruel to animals.
Posted by: Little_Lotte at November 11, 2009 3:24 PMthat's terrible! is it really so hard to have a conscience??
Posted by: at November 11, 2009 4:15 PMWorld peace people! please! damn utah! seriously thats just messed up. THOSE PEOPLE MAKE ME SICK >:p
Posted by: Karyna_Karma at November 11, 2009 6:36 PMSo all they do is expirement on them and they die? Is there a point to all of this, or do they do it just for fun? God, that's just sick. These animals deserved a good home but instead became something to do expirements on. Little_Lotte, I agree with you completely.
Posted by: Abby at November 11, 2009 6:56 PMThe world is so sick.
Pick on someone your own species, my God.
i cant believe theyre testing on cats. this is sooo sad.
Posted by: morgan at November 11, 2009 11:59 PMHello
Oh my god I can't even imagine about experiment on animals and this is really insensitive thing.I just love cats.I feel very sad about Robert.How can they do like this?I do not like when people become cruel for animal.
poor robert. i hope they get shut down & he & the other animals find a good home!
Posted by: dia at November 12, 2009 9:28 AMthat is so disgusting that people can actually carry out these cruel and horrific experiments on animals, or any beings. I feel so bad for Robert and all other animals that are being cruelly treated in the name of science
Posted by: kattiep at November 12, 2009 2:02 PMI think a new PETA mission should be exposing the government and shelters because they have something going on.Like some cheap cat trade and I don't like it very much.The public should know that shelters are allowing governments to use cats in horrible experiments like this. Truly wrong and heartbreaking! Ima get the word about this to people I know and I hope who over feels for Robert will do so as well :'(
Posted by: Fatima at November 13, 2009 7:45 PMPoor kitty. Stupid Utah has no heart.
Posted by: Maddie Hoelzer at November 15, 2009 7:25 PMi read this with my cat, Aleka Stellar, sleeping on my chest and i cant imagine ever having her being "skittish and withdrawn".. these people are sick..
Posted by: kylie at November 16, 2009 9:27 AMWhat has happened to Robert and all animals at the hands of so-called human beings makes me sick to my stomach. Robert's story causes me deep sorrow. Does anyone know if he is still alive, and if he is, is Robert up for adoption?
Posted by: Chachee at November 16, 2009 9:29 AMShame... humans, sux... specialy this one's. I´m Brazilian and hate labs and people who makes experiments with animals. YOU stinks people. Suckers...
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Vergonha, dos humanos, lixo... especialmentes como estes. Sou brasileiro e odeio laboratórios e pessoas que fazem experimentos com animais. Vocês fedem seus merdas. Chupadores...
Poor kitty.
Posted by: John at November 16, 2009 10:25 AMLet's remember that all animals have feelings. All animals feel pain. Let's extend this compassion beyond just cats, dogs, and horses, and remember that pigs, cows, and chickens feel this same pain. Just a thought, guys. It's sad the way that animals are experimented on and tortured, regardless of the outcome and who/what it may benefit (whether science or your appetite). Just totally disgusting... this story is just. Ugh. I hate seeing animal stories like this. They all are painful.
Posted by: FS at November 16, 2009 10:44 AMI don't care what the benefit is, I don't want to see a single animal being tested on, period. I don't care if it means we discover a cure for cancer, whatever. Robert, and every other animal- rat, chimp, etc- have the right to live their own life. WE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THIS.
Posted by: Ashleigh at November 16, 2009 10:57 AMi really wish i could help
Posted by: at November 16, 2009 11:17 AMAs a practicing Wiccan of over 25 yrs this is a disgrace and and embarrassment for the human race,with the knowledge of learning this horror i am perfectly capable of placing a horrid curse upon those who torture these animals and its being sent out into the universe NOW as I write this so mote it be.WE HAVE THE POWER TO HELP THE EARTH>THANK YOU PETA FOR RAISING AWARENESS I SEND YOU MANY PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS!
Posted by: christie at November 16, 2009 11:45 AMThis story broke my heart! I started bawling my eyes out when I read this. I don't understand how people can be so cruel to living things that are smaller than them and who can't speak for themselves. Its just wrong!
Posted by: Jaclyn at November 16, 2009 11:55 AMthats so sad..i can't believe people do this kind of thing to animals! i mean what goes through thier heads when they see the poor animals in pain and suffering. I wouldnt be able to stomach such a thing. Animals have feelings just like humans! i'm sure people would think twice if these harsh experiments were done to humans.! hopefully we can ALL unite and pull together to stop such things from happening to these poor animals!!!
Posted by: megan at November 16, 2009 12:00 PMstories like this just further prove that our world is sick and ther is no f*cking god
Posted by: becca at November 16, 2009 12:12 PMI live here in SLC and I know about the U of U, it is a disgusting scar that plagues the valley!!! I would really like to know what happened to the kitty? I would adopt him!!!
Posted by: Pamela at November 16, 2009 12:45 PMI agree that scientists have not right to test on animals. Being a cat lover, Robert's story has brought me to tears.
The next best thing than storming in there and getting them ourselves is to take the steps that PETA is pushing forward. Sign any petition that validates your beliefs. Take action on your own part and we CAN make a difference.
We can make a difference for Robert. For all those animals that have been before him, and have had no stories told about the horrors they endured. Take action for all the Roberts that we hope will never have to see a shiny scalpel in their lives.
Posted by: Javin at November 16, 2009 1:01 PMthis is disgusting and disturbing, the money being used to fund things like this can be used for better things, the time can be used for other things as well and the animals can be set free. the people doing this do not realize that no mtter if you cure an animal of cancer or any sickness it will never work on a human, the immune systems and everything are different. it is a waste of time and of money. and the animals do not deserve this cruel punoishment they have done nothing wrong. i really hope all animals in every lab get set free, and no one tests on animals again.
Posted by: at November 16, 2009 1:20 PMI cant stand the tourture that these animals go threw! I can only imagine what these poor animals feel. How can there be such monsters in this world? How do they sleep at night? No heart no compassion, no human being!
Posted by: Tiffany at November 16, 2009 1:55 PMi want 2 safe those poor animals right now! we need 2 speak 2 those people doing some horrible experiment 2 those animals!
Posted by: michelle at November 16, 2009 5:11 PMMy heart goes out to Robert - and all the other laboratory animals in the world. Look at his little face; you have to be a heartless psychopath to be able to treat such a beautiful animal that way. Just seeing that thing on his head brings tears to my eyes. Who do these people think they are? They have no right to do this! I find some comfort in the fact that karma will get their a**es someday, but right now, that doesn't do Robert much good, does it?
Posted by: Maria at November 16, 2009 5:15 PMthis is simply wrong. what do all those animals and humans have in common?
A heart. Please stop doing this to the poor animals that cannot speak up for themselves and have to endure such pain. this just breaks my heart to know that there are people out there that can do this to animals. It makes me think that one day there will be something bigger out there than humans and will do the same as we did to these poor and innocent animals. god bless there poor little hearts.
Awwwwwwwww why are some people such jerks?
That poor cat, he doesn't deserve that.
Thats horrible. :(
I love all animals of course, but Robert has really got me motivated to stop animal abuse! I hope Robert has a better future ahead of him then all the poor cats that have died during experiments. I did sign the petition, so I hope I helped.
Lets all think of Robert and other animals like him that are being treated bad, or abused, or tested on. And hope that one day PETA will make everything better... Keep the animals in your heart, and keep a love for them.
~~~Don't forget to sign the petition!
Posted by: Jonna at November 16, 2009 11:35 PMPlease please stop this. With the progression of technology I am sure there are other ways of conducting tests than testing on animals. No animal deserves this. This includes all animals. I have two rats, and they are the best friends I have ever had. Just thinking about all those rats, cats and dogs etc. being tested on just makes me want to cry.
Posted by: Estelle at November 17, 2009 3:11 PMNothing that can be achieved by putting these poor animals through a life of pain and misery is worth it. Its disgusting and cruel beyond comprehension
Posted by: TAMMY MC CLEARY at November 17, 2009 3:54 PMayuden a robeeert!! como lo dejan solo??
Posted by: carolina lizana at November 17, 2009 5:12 PMIt is truly sad that in this post it is said the cat was "purchased" for $15. Animals are not material things that can be purchased, they are adopted.
Posted by: Brittany at November 18, 2009 5:25 PMI for one am thankful for what these people do. It's because of scientists like these that we have all the wonderful modern medicine we do.
I would rather have a cure for cancer than one more cat in the world.
i wish i could help
Posted by: rosalie at November 19, 2009 11:06 AMWow! why do this to animals if they could just see how it feels when they do this to these animal!
Posted by: Bryan1994 at November 19, 2009 5:06 PMThis made me cry; this is so so so wrong.
What can we do to stop this???
I saw this picture and literally wanted to cry and throw up. Then I read this poor cat's story and cried. This is the most repulsive thing I've read about in a while. It makes me wonder what would happen if they got a hold of my pets. :(
Posted by: Alexis at November 29, 2009 12:14 PMRyan, I found the email address for the professor, and emailed him asking if there were any way that I could adopt Robert. He sent me this response back (although my last name is not Goodman, and I am not male):
December 10, 2009
Mr. Goodman,
Thank you for your inquiry. The cat you reference in your letter is in good health. A request to adopt the animal and approval for adoption had already been made prior to receipt of your letter.
Sincerely,
Remi Barron
The University of Utah
Office of Public Relations
Would you happen to know if this is true or not? Has a request to adopt Robert already been approved by someone else, is he out of that lab and in a loving home now? Or is the university just trying to get us to shut up?
Posted by: Meghan at December 10, 2009 7:30 PM
animal testing should be stopped lot of animals are dyeing because of this
Posted by: maria at December 10, 2009 7:52 PMHi Meghan,
After breaking our shocking investigation, PETA received confirmation from the University of Utah that Robert would be retired from the laboratory and adopted into a new home. While this is excellent news for Robert, other homeless cats and dogs from animal shelters are still languishing in the University of Utah's laboratories and they are relying on you to speak out on their behalf: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2673
Posted by: Ryan from peta2 at December 11, 2009 1:40 PMI am so happy to hear Robert is going to get out of that horrible life and find someone to love him - I wish it could be me :(
Posted by: Christina at December 18, 2009 12:45 PMI wanna take Robert home with me.
Posted by: Whitney at January 10, 2010 5:48 PMThis just made me cry.
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that poor cat! i cant believe they are allowed to do such horrible things. what is the benefit of a test like this? so you can turn animals into your own personal robots? this is just pointless and idiotic.
Posted by: Dori Domi at November 11, 2009 2:29 PM