Join us today to create a brighter future for animals and humans
Published on May 24, 2021
50 YEARS AGO, a small group of likeminded citizens gathered to discuss their collective goal – to end experiments on animals.
Whilst saddened and angered by the unethical treatment of the sentient beings who shared the planet with them, they believed the best way to achieve their vision was not to militantly stamp their feet – but instead advance scientific research methods by changing minds with evidential facts and reason.
Animal Free Research UK was the result from their visionary gathering.
Five decades on, our charity is celebrating that landmark with a week of awareness culminating in the inaugural World Animal Free Research Day on Thursday, May 27.
We and our growing ranks of supporters will be shining a light on the pioneering research which we fund – that which is forging a future where animals are finally replaced with modern, human relevant techniques.
We will be applauding our scientists in our Animal Replacement Centres – aka ARCs – who are pushing the latest animal free technological and research boundaries in their unswerving quest for cures for major diseases.
Thanks to the over £10 million in funding, we have awarded to over 260 novel research projects, our researchers have driven and continue to drive forward understanding of debilitating diseases – including cancer, dementia and diabetes – as they affect humans, bringing us ever closer to effective treatments without harming animals.
On the first World Animal Free Research Day we will be calling on policy makers, the scientific community, pharmaceutical industry, and the public to join us in accelerating the use of ethical, pioneering lab technologies that save lives, money and time.
We will up the ante in our mission to bring about regulatory change to end the use of animals in laboratories. We want Government to invest in and prioritise animal free research and make ethical science a matter of national importance – because we want Britain to lead and inspire the world.
As CEO, I am, like you, immensely proud of our small charity and the foundational role it has played and continues to play in creating cutting-edge, humane and human-relevant methods of research.
I am also mindful that as we celebrate this special day, the world finds itself at a crossroads following the COVID-19 pandemic which forced a reappraisal of what is truly necessary to deliver safe and effective health solutions as quickly as possible.
The speed at which the vaccines were developed was thanks in part to decision-makers agreeing that human trials could be conducted in parallel with – and sometimes ahead of – animal tests.
The success of that progressive thinking towards animal free research has put our mission firmly on the map and has handed us a unique opportunity to tear up the outdated rule book.
Our journey began with a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens. Thanks to their legacy coupled with your generosity and steadfast support, we shall create a better future – for the good of both animals and humans.
On World Animal Free Research Day we want everyone to think big and imagine that future which is within our grasp for every breathing being on our planet – and help us accelerate the end of animals used in medical research.
Please join us on May 27 for World Animal Free Research Day. 
With heartfelt gratitude,
Carla Owen, CEO
Animal Free Research UK
You can take action for animals, by uniting with us now!
Too many animals continue to suffer in laboratories rather than enjoying the comfort and security of a happy home. Our work is funded entirely by your generous support, so please make a donation today to help us free animals from laboratories for good.
