PETA Protesting Santa Monica College's Use of Cat Dissections in Anatomy Course

SANTA MONICA, CA — The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on Santa Monica College to stop using animals to teach anatomy after two students complained to the group.

According to the animal rights group, the school requires students to dissect cats for its Anatomy 1 course, even if the students are ethically opposed to it. PETA has sent the school a letter asking it to drop animal dissections in favor of using computer software to teach anatomy.

"Every day, PETA hears from students who are ethically opposed to cutting open animals' bodies in outdated classroom exercises," PETA senior director of youth outreach and campaigns Marta Holmberg said. "Non-animal teaching tools are effective, humane, and less expensive — and it's time for Santa Monica College to make the switch."

The PETA also released a graphic video allegedly showing students dissecting a pregnant cat in the class while the professor discusses feline reproduction. The video is available on PETA's website and YouTube channel.

In response to the letter from PETA and others about the video allegedly filmed at the school's lab, Santa Monica College said it does not order pregnant cats and only obtain animals from humane societies after they have been euthanized in accordance with government guidelines.

"If students do not wish to directly participate in the dissections, they are allowed to observe others performing the task," the school said in a statement to Patch. "Santa Monica College strives to ensure that our instructors conduct lab activities with sensitivity and consideration."

Any students who feel that conduct in the lab was inappropriate or disrespectful may file a complaint with the department by emailing lifesciences@smc.edu, the school said.

Santa Monica College said dissection is used in accordance with federal and state guidelines and based on "a clearly defined curriculum objective in line with the policies of professional organizations."

According to PETA, several colleges around the country have dropped animal dissections in favor of computer software and other educational tools.

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