It’s been a difficult few weeks, with the scorching weather making us even more concerned for the MBR beagles confined in hot sheds. But this has only strengthened our determination to keep fighting for their freedom.

On 6 August, around 50 Save the Dogs supporters gathered peacefully outside the Home Office. People of all ages and backgrounds, many campaigning for the first time, came together to make sure the beagles’ suffering is not ignored. Four brave supporters shared heartfelt stories, whistle blower testimony and their shock that this is still happening in the UK. We spoke with Home Office staff and members of the public, handed out leaflets and had lots of encouraging feedback.

A huge thank you also to Leicester Animal Rights Group for joining us at their first Save the Dogs event on Saturday 8 August. Seeing our communities come together, take action and spread the word makes us incredibly proud. Every conversation, every leaflet handed out and every new person reached brings us one step closer to change and to a better future for the beagles.

Behind the scenes, we’re working hard to build awareness and momentum. Opposition to animal testing is gaining attention here and around the world and together, we will keep speaking up for the beagles until they are heard.

In our last newsletter, we told you we were working on a proposal to rehome MBR’s “surplus” beagles. We’re pleased to say, that proposal has now been delivered and shared with MPs, asking for their public support to help establish a formal rehoming process. We have homes ready and waiting, now we just need the opportunity to give these beagles, the lives they deserve.

Our research teams continue to dig deeper into the MBR Acres operation and the wider use of dogs in research. They're carefully examining inspection reports, licensing records, regulations and other publicly available information, working to uncover what oversight really looks like and importantly, where dogs may be being let down.

The key questions we're trying to answer: Are these dogs receiving the welfare protections they deserve? Is the system truly holding those responsible to account? Where could and should Non Animal Methods (NAMs) be used and what does the evidence tell us about the possibility of a kinder, different future for these dogs?

Every piece of evidence helps us build a clearer picture and a stronger case for change. Our aim is to make sure that the beagle welfare is properly scrutinised so that the case for greater transparency, accountability and ultimately, the opportunity for rehoming, is impossible to ignore.

We also know we can’t achieve change alone. We continue to work closely with other campaign groups, sharing information, research and contacts because ultimately, we all want the same thing: to close MBR and free the beagles. A great example is our collaboration with the March to Abolish Animal Testing in the US and One Voice in France. By marching together, we can show just how many people around the world want to see an end to animal testing.