Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC) was an international animal rights campaign with the aim of closing down Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), a contract research organization that conducted animal testing. The campaign was founded in 1999 and was known for its aggressive tactics and international reach.

History

SHAC was established in 1999 by a group of animal rights activists in the United Kingdom. The campaign quickly gained momentum and spread to other countries, including the United States, Germany, and France. SHAC's primary goal was to stop animal testing at Huntingdon Life Sciences, which was one of the largest animal testing facilities in Europe.

Tactics

SHAC employed a variety of tactics to achieve its goals, including direct action, protests, and public awareness campaigns. The group was known for its use of internet activism and media campaigns to draw attention to the practices at HLS. SHAC also targeted companies and individuals associated with HLS, urging them to sever ties with the organization.

Legal Issues

The aggressive tactics used by SHAC led to numerous legal challenges. Several members of the organization were arrested and charged with conspiracy and other offenses related to their activities. In 2009, seven members of SHAC were convicted in the UK for their roles in the campaign against HLS.

Impact

Despite the legal challenges, SHAC's campaign had a significant impact on public perception of animal testing and the operations of Huntingdon Life Sciences. The campaign brought increased scrutiny to the practices of HLS and contributed to a broader debate about the ethics of animal testing.

Stop_Huntingdon_Animal_Cruelty Gallery

• Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (logo).png

  Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (logo)

• SHAC7.png

  SHAC 7

See also

• Animal rights movement
• Animal testing
• Direct action
• Internet activism