No fly policies

When it comes to transporting laboratory animals airlines in general have very cold feet. I have posted several links (in previous posts) that point to AR campaigns which specifically target airlines. The end result of these campaigns are predictively always the same: A NO FLY policy is imposed.
How can airlines positively react to the transportation of laboratory destined animals, when they are flooded by thousands of emails? What should they do when they are being called targets and staff constantly harassed?
Against fur and petition cargo-cruelty-tell-airlines-to-stop-shipping-primates-for-research/
and cargo cruelty tell airlines to stop shipping primates for research

Should all airlines pay and display the 'leaping bunny' logo in order to keep animal rights activists at bay? Will that even suffice when AR groups outright say that they oppose any animal use or until total liberation takes place? Remember airlines are in the business of flying people, animals and other cargo from A to B, safely and securely. 

It has to be said that despite the claims made by AR groups, very few animals are injured, escape or die in transit. This is not happening out of luck. Airlines train their staff towards the acceptance, packing and handling of live animals. The conditions in which the animals fly are the same as those for passengers, except of course animals are in crates and there is no inflight service for most of them. I said most because for some indeed in-flight attendants are present. Shippers too contribute to the successful movement of animals as they have an intimate knowledge of the species they ship and an adequately sized container is used in accordance with airline regulations. So, No they are not crammed into a container, nor are they exposed to cruel conditions in the belly of an aircraft.
Yes there will be noise and occasional fumes but the belly hold is heated and air is being circulated. Usually lights are turned off so the animals experience night type conditions in order to keep them calm.This is after all an aircraft/ airport/ warehouse environment and engines expectedly do make noise and release fumes. International Airline regulations for transporting animals -also contains a chapter dedicated to laboratory animals.

In the end however we all need to realize that transporting animals by air is not what airlines live of. It is a tiny fraction of their revenues. Transportation of monkeys is an even smaller piece, a subset of a subset. And it all has to be done right. None of those involved have an interest in animals that arrive dead, that manage to escape or injure themselves. Airlines do a good job at transporting animals, including those destined for research.

We do have to take this analysis a bit further. What happens when carriers no longer accept transporting animals? The animals end up in other means of transport or worse are smuggled across borders. In this scenario we all loose, except Animal rights groups. Isn't that the goal anyway?
Since indeed animal research is crucial, it is equally crucial to speak up and act in favor of carriers and to let this be known to them.  The time for action is now, the choice of having air transport services is yours to make! Together let's keep logistics working for you and the public.

Learning and appreciating contributors to well-being

I know I keep on talking about education and where to find valuable information about the use of animals in research. I too started from scratch but by being involved I learned and discovered people whom share a common passion. People that care about humans and animals alike and about advancing medical research for the greater benefit of all.

Training truly is a great way of advancing in life, personally and in a career. Actually I find that in any activity you do there is a learning aspect. Sometimes you may be challenged by a task and it is daunting. You are being asked to come out of your comfort zone and that is not always easy I know.
You really shouldn't feel bad or akward about this, for you have trained and learned during your entire life.

Most aspects in animal research are regulated in one way or another and that is a very good thing.
For example take transportation, not only are there the guidelines for the humane transportation of research animals
ILAR guidelines for the HUMANE TRANSPORTATION OF RESEARCH ANIMALS

but in addition there are also state, interstate, national and international regulations that govern some aspect of the movement animals, be they destined to research or not. These can involve such aspects as health permits, import criteria or control mechanisms preventing the introduction of diseases or invasive species. Another important aspect is the Convention in international trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora, also known as CITES.

Other examples include the IATA Live Animals Regulations manual, which the airlines abide by for the acceptance, packing and handling of live animals, and laws set forth by countries such as the Animal Welfare Act in the United States or EC Regulation #1 - 2005 that is applicable through-out Europe.

The care and use of animals in laboratories is another domain covered by guidelines that you can train to and should be familiar with.   You can order the guide here or download the pdf for free
So yes there is more to it than meets the eye but with good training and some mentors I am confident that you too can learn your way into understanding and learning about what is involved in biomedical research.
Then there are those that dedicate their lives towards understanding disease mechanisms, virus functions and their transmission, gene research etc, the list is endless.
This is fundamental research that leads to important breakthroughs we all benefit from. Some researchers one day reach the ultimate hall of fame and are rewarded for their work with a Nobel price. You can find a list of these Nobel laureates hereafter together with how they contributed to Medicine and which animal models contributed to their success.
Medical Progress, Nobel laureates and associated animals

About a year ago I benefited from this one:

Discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

I and my family therefore thank M. Barry J. Marshall and the piglets he used, wholeheartedly!