UK Government Releases Long-Awaited Strategy to Phase Out Animal Testing
On Friday, November 14th, 2025, the UK government released its highly anticipated strategy to phase out animal testing. The announcement has been met with a largely positive response from organizations dedicated to the protection of animals.
The strategy outlines specific targets, including the end of using rabbits to test for skin and eye irritants by 2027 and the discontinuation of “100 mice a batch” tests for measuring toxic levels of Botox by 2028. These targets represent significant progress for the use of animals in scientific research in the UK.
As society becomes increasingly aware and vocal about the issue of animal testing, a UK-based animal welfare charity has found a unique way to amplify its message. Naturewatch Foundation has turned to TikTok, a popular social media platform, to engage with a new audience.
The charity’s presence at the TikTok Ad Awards 2025, a prestigious award ceremony in London, has highlighted the importance of educating and raising awareness about the reality of animal testing. Their short animated film, “A Tail of Two Dogs,” was shortlisted in the “Greatest Impact” category. The film tells the story of two beagles, Toby and ’43’, and showcases the stark contrast in their lives. Toby is a beloved family pet, while ’43’ was bred and used in scientific research. The film, created by Fire Lily Studio, known for their powerful animations, aims to shed light on the suffering endured by animals used in testing.
In the UK, the majority of beagle dogs used in experiments are bred at facilities like MBR Acres in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, which has faced numerous protests in recent years.
Kate Salmon, Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, stated, “We’ve received thousands of comments from people who were unaware that animal testing still occurs. It’s unacceptable that consumers are unknowingly supporting products that have been tested on animals without their knowledge. People have the right to make informed choices about the products they purchase.”
The short film, which was launched in August, has already been viewed over 15 million times and went viral within 24 hours.
Paul Goodenough, Emmy-nominated and award-winning writer, founder of Rewriting Earth, and Naturewatch Foundation patron, added, “Too often, we turn a blind eye to the suffering of animals in today’s modern world, and that is by design. Films like ‘A Tail of Two Dogs’ and the tireless work of organizations like Naturewatch are crucial because when people’s eyes are opened, their hearts are not far behind.”
While social media has its flaws and has been criticized for various social and ethical issues, Naturewatch Foundation has successfully used the platform to reach a much larger audience than expected and promote their cause.
For more information and advice, please visit the Naturewatch Foundation website at www.naturewatch.org.