We’re delighted to announce that the first dogs have been released from a laboratory in Bangalore under new rules today.

The move comes as a result of new guidance implemented by authorities in India to rehabilitate dogs used in experiments. We understand these guidelines are the first in the world to require laboratories to find homes for dogs used in experiments.

This fantastic news is the result of years of work by Dr Shiranee Tettamanti Pereira, co-founder of People for Animals (Chennai) and India Campaigns Manager for Cruelty Free International. Shiranee has worked tirelessly to improve conditions for dogs in Indian laboratories.  She has been responsible for homing hundreds of beagles from laboratories since 2000.

Animal welfare organisations are now working with animal research laboratories to find families to adopt the dogs in India.

Thirty four of the 64 beagles released today are temporarily staying at a ‘hotel for dogs’ in Bangalore, while they wait to find their forever homes with the help of Chinthana Gopinath.

Dr Shiranee Tettamanti Pereira said: “I am delighted that laboratories in India are responding positively to this ground-breaking new guidance. India is taking an important step towards the ultimate goal of ending experiments on dogs. The new guidelines will give so many dogs the opportunity to live freely for many years after being released from laboratories. I’m thrilled we can now find these dogs the safe, loving homes they deserve.”

Cruelty Free International Chief Executive Michelle Thew says: “Around the world, healthy dogs who are no longer required by laboratories are routinely killed.  Science, as well as ethics, demands a move away from experiments on dogs. As we work towards ending the use of dogs in research, it is heartening to see steps being made to change the lives of individual animals currently suffering in laboratories. We call on governments around the world to follow India’s lead and introduce mandatory homing wherever possible for these animals.”

Find out more about our global campaign to end experiments on dogs

Photo and video credit: Chinthana Gopinath