Julie Roberts from the Dr Hadwen Trust
Julie Roberts (52 age) has been an active campaigner for animal rights since her childhood. Having been raised in rural Shropshire, she now lives with her partner of 7 years in Coventry where she works as a landscape architect.
How did you first get started campaigning for animal rights?
When I was young I always felt a really deep affinity for animals. I think I was about 7 when I started a small group called Home-Finders. We went round the local area asking people to take in stray dogs.
How did things develop from there?
Well I was living in a rural community and there wasn’t a lot of activism there. I felt isolated as regards animal rights, none of my family or friends felt the same way. I started writing to the local paper about animal issues like testing on animals and factory farming and I joined PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). Through PETA I met up with a small group of other people who were interested in being active and I organised our first demo outside the British Heart Foundation against their policy of using dogs and other animals in research,. It was great to realise that other people felt the same way.
It sounds like you’re pretty much a self-starter.
Yes, I like a challenge. One thing that really influenced me was an article in PETA’s magazine which talked about how people want to burst into tears when they read about animal abuse but the important thing is to turn that sadness and anger into action. Do something!
What organisations do you support?
We’ve a fairly active group in Coventry and support organisations like Animal Aid, Uncaged, Animals Asia – I’m a school speaker for Animal Aid – but my main charity is the Dr Hadwen Trust.
Why so?
Because its such a positive organisation. It answers all the people who say that animal testing is essential. The Trust has proven time and time again that this is just wrong. If you look on their website you’ll see the list of projects they’ve done over the last 30 years with most of the best universities in the country. Hundreds of projects – all totally scientific, all medical research, all helping people and none of it using animals.
They don’t waste money either – it’s really efficiently run. I think volunteering is one way to help them keep down costs.
So tell me about your stall.
I take the stall to lots of local (local? National?) events. It’s a very rewarding experience telling people about the Trust. Most people don’t like the idea of testing on animals but believe there is no alternative. They are delighted to discover that’s just not so and that the Trust can prove that here and now and has a long track record of successful research. I’ve got plenty of information and I pretty well understand the technical issues now but if there are questions I can’t answer I can point them towards the website.
Do people get confrontational?
Not really – and if they do the Trust has got the answers. I can give them the evidence they need. It’s harder if you’re representing an organisation that just says “Stop animal testing” but doesn’t offer a solution. I can explain to them all about modern methods and they’re impressed and feel better about it.
What’s the most important thing you achieve by running your stall?
We’ll I’ve raised quite a bit of money (over £12,500) but that’s nowhere near as important as letting people know there’s an alternative to animal testing. It isn’t a “necessary evil” as we’re constantly told. The more people who know the more people they’ll tell. We can build up massive support for non-animal testing in that way.
What is the main reward for you personally?
Well at the end of the day I know I’ve done something positive even if it’s just tell one more person about the work of the Trust. I’ve made a difference. If you’re involved you don’t feel so powerless and so depressed. It doesn’t matter how much you do. You all have to do whatever you can do – however little it is – it counts. Once you’ve started getting involved you’ll find it easier to do a bit more.
Any suggestions for people wanting to get started?
There are local groups all over the country. Join an organisation like PETA or Animal Aid and they’ll put you in touch with other people in your area. The thing is to just go out and do something – once you’ve started you’ll feel less daunted and you’ll feel confident to take on more.
Many thanks to you Julie and the best of luck to you in your future work for animals rights
The Dr Hadwen Trust is the UK’s leading medical research charity funding
exclusively non-animal techniques to replace animal experiments, benefiting humans
and animals
