WATCH KUBS’ Statement on Instagram

Background

Question: Can you briefly tell us a story that impacted the way you feel about animals?

Answer: Karen and I own Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care, a clinic dedicated to cancer treatment for small animals (dogs & cats). For the last 15 years, the effort to ensure dogs and cats had adequate opportunities for life-saving oncologic therapy has been at the center of my world. Through that dedication, pets (and animals in general) have taken on new meaning such that I view animals more akin to family members than the property that the law dictates. This paradigm shift is most illustrated in the manner in which I view our own two dogs, BlueClay (a bluetick coonhound) and JalebiJune (a French mastiff). They are family members. In the same vein, we are vegetarians and use “have-a-heart” traps (non lethal) to capture any mice found roaming our home. We also have deployed wildlife cameras to enjoy the closeness to the animals in our vicinity, and regularly give to a wide variety of animal focused charities, and sponsor events for the same.

Alternatives to Animal Experiments

Question: Do you support increased investment in alternatives to animal testing, such as organ-on-chip systems, computational modeling, or other emerging alternatives to animal testing?

Answer: I strongly support increased investment in alternatives to animal testing, including organ-on-chip technologies, advanced computational modeling, and other emerging methods. These approaches are not only more humane, they are often more scientifically relevant to human biology, faster, and ultimately more cost-effective. As biomedical research becomes more precise and data-driven, these tools can deliver better predictive outcomes than traditional animal models in many contexts.

Phasing Out Animal Experiments

Question: Would you support CU setting measurable goals to reduce the number of animals used in research over time?

Answer: Yes, I support CU setting measurable goals to reduce animal use in research over time. Clear benchmarks promote accountability and innovation while advancing humane practices. This aligns with veterinary medicine’s growing focus on studying naturally occurring tumors in companion animals, expanding ethical, high-quality research while strengthening scientific relevance and translational impact.

Campus Food Systems & Procurement

Question: The University of Colorado is one of the largest institutional food purchasers in the state. To what extent should the university use its purchasing power to serve as a leader in moving society toward a more ethical and environmentally sustainable food system, rather than simply meeting minimum legal requirements? Please explain your view.

Answer: CU should use its purchasing power to lead. As one of Colorado’s largest food buyers, it can help drive a more ethical and environmentally sustainable system by prioritizing higher animal welfare, supporting local producers, and expanding plant-forward options. CU should also explore emerging innovations like cultivated meat from companies such as Memphis Meats (Upside Foods) and Aleph Farms, which are advancing cell-based meat in U.S. and European markets. These technologies can reduce environmental impact and animal suffering while maintaining consumer choice. Done thoughtfully, this approach supports affordability, aligns with student values, and positions CU as a national leader in forward-looking food policy.

Plant-Forward Dining

Question: Do you support plant-forward or default-plant-based dining strategies as a way to reduce environmental and animal impacts while preserving choice?

Answer: Yes. These approaches expand access to sustainable options without eliminating alternatives, helping shift consumption patterns over time while maintaining flexibility, affordability, and alignment with diverse student preferences and nutritional needs.

Gestation Crates Policy

Question: Gestation crates are used to confine pregnant pigs in spaces so small that they are unable to turn around for much of their pregnancy, which is widely recognized as a significant animal welfare concern. The State of California recently banned the sale of pork that was produced using gestation crates, and there is a growing market for such products. Would you support a University of Colorado food procurement policy that requires pork products it purchases to be produced without the use of gestation crates or other extreme confinement systems? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes. This aligns CU’s procurement with widely recognized animal welfare standards (and runs consistent with my own standards) and responds to evolving market expectations, and uses the CU’s purchasing power responsibly while still allowing flexibility to manage costs and supplier relationships.

Farmed Fish Stocking Density

Question: Many farmed fish and shrimp are raised at extreme stocking densities, which can cause chronic stress, injury, impaired health, and increased mortality. Scientific research shows that appropriate stocking densities vary by species and production system. Would you support a University of Colorado food procurement policy that requires farmed fish products it purchases to meet maximum stocking density standards, with species-specific limits informed by scientific research? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes. CU should lead by establishing clear benchmarks tailored to each species and production system, ensuring welfare, health, and product quality. This approach reflects current research, drives more responsible aquaculture practices, and aligns procurement with evolving ethical and sustainability expectations.

Other

Question: What else would you like to share? Please add anything else that might be helpful regarding your past or current support for pro-animal policies.

Answer: What I would add is that my commitment to animal welfare is not theoretical. It is deeply personal and reflected in the work I have built alongside Dr. Karen Oberthaler. Together, we co-founded Treeline Veterinary Cancer Care to expand access to cutting edge oncology treatment for dogs and cats, grounded in both advanced medicine and genuine compassion. Dr. Oberthaler is a board certified veterinary oncologist whose career has been dedicated to helping animals with cancer live longer, healthier lives while supporting the families who love them. At Treeline, that commitment shows up every day in personalized, humane care focused on quality of life. Building on that work, we launched the Kubs’ Cubs Foundation to help ensure more dogs and cats can access life saving cancer treatment regardless of financial circumstances. Too often, families are forced to make heartbreaking decisions because of cost. We are working to change that. This experience shapes how I approach policy. I believe institutions like CU have a responsibility to lead by advancing alternatives to animal testing, improving welfare standards in food systems, and supporting research that benefits both animals and humans.