Help to bring the UK one step closer to ending animal experiments
Today (24 April 2023) is World Day for Animals in Laboratories (WDAIL). Just like any other day, animals are confined in tanks and cages waiting to be experimented on or bred from to test chemicals, drugs, or to simply satisfy human curiosity.
But today can be different – for you
Campaigning to end animal experiments can be tough because it feels like nothing ever changes. But here are two things we can all do to bring the UK a step closer to ending animal experiments once and for all.
- Make truly cruelty free choices at the checkout – it’s hard to believe that some beauty and cleaning brands are still tested on animals. The UK banned cosmetic testing in 1998, but some companies still willingly test their products on animals abroad just so they can sell their products in countries where regulatory testing is still required. We don’t think that’s right. That’s why our Compassionate Shopping Guide ONLY endorses companies that have zero ties to animal testing. Grab your copy or use our website to transform your shopping basket today. If you’re already a compassionate shopper, why not ask your employer to switch to truly cruelty free soap in the washrooms? Or tell your friends and family about some of your favourite brands from the Guide?
- Make your voice heard – the Government is content for animal testing to continue in the UK. We need your help to change their mind. If you haven’t already, please sign our petition calling on the Government to publish an ambitious deadline for ending animal experiments. (Please note this campaign has now closed.) If you want to do more, why not write to your MP explaining why you care about this issue and want the Government to take action? You can find out who your local MP is here. MPs prefer to hear from constituents in their own words, but if you’re not sure what to write, you can use or adapt our handy template below:
Dear [add your MP’s name],
I am writing to you as a concerned constituent. I support Naturewatch Foundation’s #CallTimeOnAnimalTesting campaign because I want the Government to publish an ambitious deadline for ending animal experiments in the UK.
I care about this issue because [add your own comments here].
I’m concerned that the Government is not committed to taking action for animals in laboratories. There are three things that I think they could be doing now to ensure the UK can become a pioneer in animal-free science and finally end animal testing once and for all:
- Formally commit to replacement as the UK’s ultimate goal – with a target deadline for ending animal tests;
- Prioritise the use and development of non-animal methods (NAMs) by diverting public funding and incentivising investment;
- Engage in an open and honest debate about the use of animals in science by repealing section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which limits public scrutiny of animal testing.
Will you contact the Home Office and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on my behalf and ask them what action they are taking to end the UK’s reliance on animal experiments?
Thank you very much for your time.
Yours faithfully,
[Name]
To learn more about our campaign to end animal testing please refer to our animal experiments pages
