Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty

Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (logo)

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Heather Nicholson (SHAC)

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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 initiated in the United Kingdom in 1999 and later expanded to other countries, including the United States and several European nations.

History[edit | edit source]

The SHAC campaign was founded by three British animal rights activists: Greg Avery, Heather James, and Natasha Avery. The campaign was launched in response to undercover footage released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that showed alleged mistreatment of animals at HLS.

Methods[edit | edit source]

SHAC employed a variety of tactics to achieve its goal, including direct action, protests, and public awareness campaigns. The group targeted not only HLS but also its suppliers, customers, and financial backers. These tactics often included letter-writing campaigns, phone blockades, and demonstrations at the homes and offices of individuals associated with HLS.

Legal Issues[edit | edit source]

The aggressive tactics used by SHAC led to numerous legal issues. Several members of the campaign were arrested and convicted for activities ranging from harassment to conspiracy to blackmail. In 2009, seven leading members of SHAC were sentenced to prison terms in the UK for their roles in the campaign.

Impact[edit | edit source]

Despite its efforts, SHAC was unable to achieve its primary goal of closing down HLS. However, the campaign did succeed in raising public awareness about animal testing and the practices of HLS. The campaign also had a significant impact on the animal rights movement, inspiring similar campaigns and actions worldwide.