Meet Toby and ‘43’ in our new campaign film: ‘A Tail of Two Dogs’

12.08.25

Beagles. Placid, people-pleasing, joyful dogs- the characteristics that make up the perfect companion for millions of families around the World. Equally, the characteristics that encourage the betrayal of thousands of beagles used in animal experimentation right here in the UK each year.

In 2023, over 2.6 million animals were used in British laboratories, including 2,477 dogs. Many people don’t realise that beagle testing still happens. But it does. Constant exploitation of allegedly ‘man’s best friend’, dogs just like ‘43’.

Let me introduce ‘A Tail of Two Dogs’: bringing home why ending animal testing is so important and inspiring people, just like you, to take action for animals in laboratories.

‘A Tail of Two Dogs’, created by the talented team at Fire Lily Studio for Naturewatch Foundation, tells the story of two dogs whose lives couldn’t be more different. Special thanks go to Paul Goodenough, Founder of Rewriting Earth, producer and environmentalist for narrating A Tail of Two Dogs and supporting our project.

Meet Toby, a much-loved family dog who enjoys sofa snuggles, outdoor adventures, and the simple joys of life with his favourite human. But, just a few miles away, another dog known only as ‘43’ lives a very different life spent inside a laboratory, where he’s used in painful experiments and has never experienced kindness or freedom.

Click here to watch the 82 second film now!

Many tests conducted on animals have time after time been shown to be effectively pointless, with a 2023 Humane World for Animals analysis demonstrating that in nearly all cases of the 90-day test on beagles, there was no added value in assessing pesticide risks to humans. Essentially, the testing was a fruitless torture.

Funding a future where all animals matter.

You have now met Toby and ‘43’, our two beagles in our Tail of Two Dogs short film, sharing the story of thousands of beagles whose existence is a mere experiment, right here in the UK.

Alongside our heart-breaking Tail of Two Dogs short film, we want to raise funds that impact these dogs, along with our other areas of work for animal welfare. We are launching a 2026 grant opportunity, funding a project or study that looks to advance non animal methods of testing to help eradicate the barbaric testing on beagles that happens right now.

Without suitable alternative methods, the lives of these beagles bred and used for scientific research and experiments remains miserable. You may have a lab testing on beagles not far from your home as you read this. Consider the contrast in life of one of these dogs, compared to your own canine friend. They both deserve to know compassion and love.

Support our work in advancing animal welfare, just like our 2026 grant, to fund projects developing suitable alternative methods to animal testing.

Together, we can create a world where compassion always comes first.

Visit naturewatch.org to learn more about our work to end animal testing.

Source: https://www.humaneworld.org/en/blog/tide-may-be-turning-dogs-and-other-animals-laboratories

Together, we can change the story for animals like ‘43’.