We attended the Victoria University of Wellington Open Day today to expose their use of the Forced Swim Test to prospective students.
The Forced Swim Test involves forcing small animals such as rats or mice to swim in an inescapable beaker of water until they ‘give up’ and float. The test reportedly attempts to mimic depression or hopelessness in humans.
The action organised by NZAVS and SAFE, saw a very striking and bold mobile billboard being parked directly outside the Victoria University Kelburn campus, during the open day event.
A team of volunteers accompanied the billboard with placards, banners, flyers and stickers, to raise awareness of the test within the current and future student body.
We were incredibly hard to miss as we stood to expose the use of the cruel and invalid Forced Swim Test by Victoria University. Countless students walked past us, read our important message and stopped to talk — many students and prospective students were shocked that this test even existed.
Now, many more people and prospective students are aware of this cruel animal test and the universities refusal to ban it.
This is just the beginning. We need to defend the animals used in cruel tests like this and end the use of the horrific Forced Swim Test.
The billboard is now spending the rest of the week on one of our awesome supporters' front lawn (whose house is right beside a busy bus stop) —thank you for lending your land to this important cause Russell, many more people will learn about this awful test thanks to you!
