“You're more likely to GO TO PRISON for exposing animal cruelty than for committing it.”
– Vox
Several weeks ago, I had a life-changing experience.
Taxpayer, I’d like to share my story with you if that’s OK?
My Name is Daniel López. I’m the Director of Research and Investigations for the White Coat Waste Project (WCW)—the nation’s most effective group for getting animals out of labs.
Every day at WCW, I use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to make government bureaucrats hand over incriminating evidence of animal abuse.
I’m the guy who gets all the receipts, veterinary records, documents, photos, and secret videos from the worst labs inside the U.S. federal government.
WCW takes my investigative research to Democrats and Republicans in Congress and lobbies them to cut spending on animal testing.
You and I pay $20 billion for these animal experiments each year.
Well, a few weeks ago, I traveled to Florida, where I had the honor of meeting Gregory (Govt ID #5334) face-to-face.
Gregory is a retired lab monkey I saved from the Food and Drug Administration.
And WCW just shut down his old “home”—the FDA’s top primate experimentation lab:
As an infant, Gregory was ripped away from his mom and forcibly addicted to nicotine. He suffered in solitary confinement and went years without ever seeing the sun.
So, it was truly awe-inspiring to watch Gregory and his retired buddies just BE monkeys at a warm Florida sanctuary.
And Taxpayer, Gregory isn’t the only survivor who changed my life:
I also met Delilah (Govt ID #87) after we closed the U.S. government’s largest cat experimentation laboratory.
When we exposed Delilah’s cat lab, the U.S. Department of Agriculture had wasted $22 million and killed 3,000 kittens. Now, thanks to our partnership, it’s zero.
And, when we first exposed Gregory's monkey lab, the FDA’s primate testing was at an all-time high. 200+ monkeys were abused each year. Now, because of you, that number is zero.
Taxpayer, meeting these survivors face-to-face makes me more determined than ever to ramp up my investigations.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that’s possible…
Reason #1: We Just Lost A Top Donor
In the non-profit world, it’s called “de-capitation.”
One of our biggest foundation partners (a six-figure grant maker) suddenly, inexplicably, and without warning failed to renew her funding. Another long-time philanthropist just reduced his financial commitment by 50%.
It’s not that rich donors don’t respect my work, Taxpayer. It’s that we can’t compete with the glitz and glamour of the big, establishment organizations. That stuff sells.
They have Hollywood celebrities. They have swanky, high-dollar fundraisers, red carpets, cocktail parties, and ice sculptures. We don't have any of that.
Taxpayer, we just can’t entertain the heavy hitters… and they’re ditching us.
Reason #2: Our Legal Bills Are Piling Up
The National Institutes of Health is no longer fulfilling my FOIA requests. Basically, they just stopped giving us anything—a flagrant violation of federal law!
Taxpayer, we can’t close any more labs if we can’t prove they exist.
So, I’m forced to spend a lot of time and money negotiating with, appealing to, and suing the government because animal abusers are hiding information about these experiments.
I sued to expose Gregory’s FDA lab. I sued to close Delilah’s USDA lab, too.
Unfortunately, our legal fees are higher than ever before. It’s expensive.
Reason #3: Investigators Are Going To Prison
Taxpayer, I’m in a dangerous business.
Investigative researchers—the very folks who expose animal abuse—are being locked up in a federal penitentiary.
The threat of criminalization is worse than ever. They want to punish free speech and send a chilling message to lab investigators like me.
I’ve always stood up for the animals. In Mexico, where I grew up, I opposed bullfights and led a successful campaign to end cruelty at one of the country’s worst pet stores.
Today, I work at WCW because it fights for animals like Gregory and Delilah—the least powerful among us.
But the MOST powerful forces in Washington are trying to destroy everything you and I have worked so hard to achieve.
Today is Giving Tuesday, so I’d personally appreciate whatever you can give.
Sincerely,
 |
Daniel López Investigations Director |
P.S. 🔓 Giving Tuesday Ends At 11:59 PM. Taxpayer, here’s your secure link to unlock the match.
Your Giving Tuesday donation will be DOUBLED to help me Challenge Government and support all of our life-saving work:
