Animal Testing Statistics 2025: Why Your Cruelty-Free Choices Matter More Than Ever

20th July 2026

New figures released today, the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain for 2025 show a disappointing reality – the number of animals used in scientific procedures is falling far too slowly. 

In 2025, a staggering 2.54 million scientific procedures on living animals were carried out, revealing only a fractional 3.81% decrease from 2024’s statistics. 

What do the 2025 statistics tell us?

In 2025, 2.46 million procedures involving animals used for the first time were carried out in Great Britain. While this is a small reduction from 2024, the figures show that millions of animals continue to be used in experiments every year.

Some of the numbers are particularly concerning:

• 17,593 procedures (1.3%) were classed as severe, meaning animals experienced significant levels of suffering.
• Six beagles and one other dog underwent procedures classified as severe.
• The number of beagles used for the first time increased, rising from 1,593 to 1,640.
• The number of non-human primates used for the first time also increased, from 1,478 to 1,845.
• The number of horses used for the first time rose from 60 to 100.

We urgently need clarity from the Government why these numbers are rising, despite the pledge to phase out animal testing, and campaign for change. 

Your choices can help drive change

For many of us, the fight against animal testing starts with the products we choose every day.

When you buy cosmetics, skincare, toiletries and household products, choosing cruelty-free brands sends a powerful message – animal testing is not acceptable, and consumers want a kinder future.

The Compassionate Shopping Guide makes it easier to shop with confidence by helping you find companies that have committed to cruelty-free practices and do not benefit from animal testing.

Every cruelty-free purchase supports businesses that are moving away from animal experiments and towards a future where innovative, animal-free alternatives are prioritised.

Looking with hope to the future

Last year, the government announced a new strategy to phase out animal testing, by working with scientists, industry and civil society. However real progress will depend on how quickly and effectively this strategy is put into action. We hope that it will mark a turning point and lead to meaningful reduction in the number of sentient animals that are subjected to scientific procedures every year.

By moving towards a future that focuses on animal-free, humane, human-relevant alternatives, science can change for the better. Better for animals, better for people, better for science.

How you can help

If you’re already using the Compassionate Shopping Guide, you’re doing one of the most valuable things you can do: choosing products that support a cruelty-free future and showing companies that consumers want change.

The next step is to help us spread the word. By sharing the Compassionate Shopping Guide with friends, family and your wider community, you can help more people make compassionate choices and support the growing movement towards a world free from animal testing.

Together, we can turn individual choices into a powerful force for change.