Today, the Government announced plans to provide £22 million in funding to support the development of human-specific research methods. The announcement includes £20 million for a new Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub, a commitment made in the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy published in November 2025, alongside up to £2 million for nine additional human-specific research projects, including technologies such as beating heart cells in a dish.
A new animal-free study has uncovered important clues about why RSV can be so severe in babies, bringing hope for better treatments in the future.
On Monday 13 July, Lee Pitcher MP called on the Government to move much faster in phasing out animal testing and highlighted the urgent need for a clear long-term plan, such as Herbie’s Law.
The number of scientific procedures involving dogs, cats, horses and monkeys in Great Britain increased by 7% last year, despite a small decrease in the overall number of animal experiments.
New Home Office statistics show that 17,317 procedures were carried out using ‘specially protected species’ in 2025, a 7% increase compared to 2024. The figures include 2,889 procedures involving dogs (up 9% from 2024), 2,236 involving monkeys (up 15%), 91 involving cats (up 11%), and 12,101 involving horses (up 5%).
The increase is particularly concerning because these species receive additional legal protections under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. However, despite these safeguards, their use in research has continued to rise at an alarming rate.
The new statistics show that 2,537,507 scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out in Great Britain in 2025 – a 3.8% decrease compared with 2024.
Of these, 52% were experimental procedures, while the remaining 48% involved the creation and breeding of genetically altered animals for research.
More than half (54%) of all experimental procedures were carried out for basic research, aimed at increasing scientific knowledge rather than developing new treatments. Around a quarter (26%) were for applied research into disease, while 19% were for regulatory purposes, such as the testing of new drugs.
The statistics also show that 17,593 procedures, around 1.3% of all experimental procedures, were classified as “severe”, meaning animals were likely to experience severe pain, suffering or distress.
In a concerning trend that has continued for several years, the majority of monkeys used in experiments were imported from overseas. The statistics show that 95% of cynomolgus monkeys used in procedures were born in Africa or Asia before being transported to Britain, meaning they endured the additional stress of long-distance transportation before even reaching the laboratory.
Among the experiments recorded were 93 instances of the forced swim test using mice. This outdated test, developed in the 1970s, involves placing mice in an inescapable container of water and observing their behaviour. It has historically been used in antidepressant research but has faced growing criticism because of its lack of relevance for understanding human depression and predicting whether new treatments will work in patients.
In its 2025 Replacing animals in science strategy, the Government confirmed that no new licences for using the forced swim test as a model of depression would be issued in future. However, these figures show that the strategy has not yet had a meaningful impact on bringing the use of the test to an end.
This disappointing decrease in animal use highlights the need move away from animal experiments by investing in human-specific research methods such as organ-on-chip technology, AI and research using human cells and tissues. Because these approaches are based directly on human biology, they can improve the development of new medicines, replacing outdated animal experiments while making treatments more effective for patients.
The figures come as the Government faces growing pressure to deliver on its manifesto commitment to work towards phasing out animal testing. We are calling for the urgent introduction of Herbie’s Law: proposed legislation that would establish a timetable to phase out animal experiments over the next decade while supporting scientists to adopt modern, human-specific methods.
If you’re concerned by these figures, you can help create change. One of the most effective ways to make your voice heard is by contacting your MP and asking them to support Herbie’s Law. Use our simple tool to contact your MP now. Every message helps demonstrate the growing public support for replacing animal testing with more effective, human-specific science, bringing us closer to a kinder future without animal testing.
“Today’s Home Office statistics are a sobering reminder that progress towards ending animal experiments is happening far too slowly. While we welcome any reduction in animal use, this dismal 3.8% decline is unacceptable while millions of animals continue to be used in British laboratories every year. Behind every statistic is a living animal capable of feeling pain, fear and distress.
These statistics reinforce why Herbie’s Law is needed now more than ever. Britain has the opportunity to become a global leader in modern, human-specific research, but that requires political commitment to accelerate the replacement of animal experiments with innovative alternatives.
We are calling on everyone to support change by to asking their MP to support Herbie’s Law. Together, with public backing, increased awareness and government commitment, we can help create a future where outdated animal experiments are replaced with cutting-edge, human-specific technologies.”
In June 2026, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Phasing Out Animal Experiments in Medical Research held its first evidence session in Parliament, bringing together leading experts in human-specific science to discuss the Government’s strategy on animals in science and the transition away from animal experiments.
World Animal Free Research Day 2026 brought together scientists, supporters, public figures and policymakers in a nationwide show of support for animal-free science!
Held on 27th May, the annual awareness day highlighted the growing momentum behind efforts to replace animal testing with human-specific research methods.
Several well-known names helped raise awareness by speaking out in support of kinder, more effective research on social media.
Kirsty Gallacher, Will Young, Pandora Christie, Carol Royle, Pete Wicks and Photographer Rankin were among those who used their platforms to champion animal-free science, helping reach new audiences and strengthen public engagement.
In Bude, supporters “turned the town turquoise” in a visible demonstration of solidarity, drawing attention to the cause and encouraging conversations at a local level. Fundraisers Steph and Michelle completed a 100km walk over five days, raising an incredible £4,000 to support animal-free research exploring the link between Atrial Fibrillation and dementia.
The campaign also saw support from Members of Parliament, who shared messages backing Herbie’s Law and helped raise the issue within political circles.
This level of engagement signals increasing recognition of the need for policy change to accelerate the uptake of humane and scientifically advanced alternatives.
World Animal Free Research Day 2026 also marked the launch of our new online shop, giving supporters another way to show their support and be part of the movement to end animal testing in medical research.
Featuring a range of ethically produced products, the shop allows individuals to wear their support and spark conversations about kinder science in their everyday lives.
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