A protest group named “March to Abolish Animal Testing” plans to walk over 200 miles from Albany to Marshall BioResources in North Rose, Wayne County. The march will conclude on September 26, aiming to draw attention to issues surrounding animal testing in scientific research and to advocate for alternatives to animal suffering.
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Marshall BioResources, established in 1939, has operated for over eight decades, originally focusing on breeding ferrets before expanding to include beagles, cats, and minipigs. The facility now sells these animals to various accredited laboratories worldwide for biomedical research.
Scott Marshall, CEO of the company and a third-generation animal raiser, reflects on the company’s history and current challenges. He noted that there were once seven large commercial breeders in the U.S., and now Marshall BioResources is among the last remaining. He has also encountered increased scrutiny as the sole remaining major provider after competitors exited the market.
Protestors argue that modern scientific advances have reduced the necessity for animal testing. Ella Magers, Co-Director of the march, emphasized, "We refuse to accept animal suffering as the price of scientific progress—because we know there is a better way."
Magers and her colleague, Gretchen Primack, criticize animal testing for being less effective than non-animal methods and assert that it causes unnecessary suffering. They claim to represent a growing coalition against animal testing, citing a letter sent to local authorities calling for investigations into allegations of cruelty at Marshall's facility.
Elizabeth Izard Apelles, founder of the organization Honey Paws, has joined the cause, raising over $7,000 to support the protests. While staunchly against animal testing, her primary concern remains the welfare of breeding dogs, particularly the beagles at Marshall BioResources. She seeks transparency and an opportunity to discuss the facility’s practices with Scott Marshall.
Sherriff Rob Milby stated that his department is coordinating with the protest group to ensure the event proceeds peacefully. He noted that expectations for behavior have been communicated to the marchers to avoid disruptions, including adjustments to the protest schedule to respect school dismissal times.
The protest highlights the ongoing debate surrounding animal testing and raises critical questions about the ethics and necessity of such practices in scientific research.