WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rancho Verde High School in Moreno Valley, CA is the first school to accept a challenge by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) to discontinue animal dissections.

In conjunction with the "Race to Stop Dissections" contest organized by Save the Frogs!, AWI has partnered with Digital Frog International to provide a full Digital Frog 2.5 (voted BEST dissection alternative by eSchool News readers) license to the first 25 schools that commit to end all animal dissections. To join the race, visit www.awionline.org/stopdissections.

"AWI commends Rancho Verde High School for abandoning its dissection program and using dissection alternatives to teach biology. This type of animal-friendly education is more humane, more effective, environmentally friendly, cost-effective and does not teach students to rationalize the unjustified killing of animals," said AWI President, Cathy Liss.

The Race to Stop Dissections contest encourages students and teachers to assist worldwide amphibian conservation efforts by getting their schools and school districts to abandon frog dissection programs. One school will win a full license for the Digital Frog 2.5, cash prizes and an opportunity to hear Save the Frogs! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger speak at their school. "Save the Frogs! aims to get every school in the United States to abandon their frog dissection programs by 2014," said Dr. Kriger. The deadline for entries is December 1, 2011. Contest rules can be found at www.savethefrogs.com/dissections.

Investigations into the capture, transport, warehousing and killing of animals destined for dissection show that the procurement of animals for dissection causes unnecessary suffering and death. Millions of frogs are taken from wetland habitats, piled into sacks and inhumanely killed by immersion in preservative. Frog populations are rapidly disappearing worldwide and the use of frogs for dissection is a contributor in many parts of the world. Frogs play a crucial role in wetland habitats, both as consumers of insects and as food for other species, and their extinctions can wreak havoc on entire ecosystems.

Many students and teachers are questioning the educational value and ethics of using animals. Modern technology can teach students about the biology of living beings and to appreciate and the vital role that all animals play in the natural world. AWI, Save the Frogs! and Digital Frog International invite all students and teachers to participate in the Race to Stop Dissections.  

SOURCE Animal Welfare Institute