Naturewatch Foundation, together with Fire Lily Studio and producer Paul Goodenough, has launched a powerful new short film and fundraiser on Tuesday 12 August, 2025.
Titled “A Tail of Two Dogs,” the poignant animation sheds light on the heartbreaking reality of dogs used in laboratory experiments in the UK. The film follows the contrasting lives of two dogs, a beloved family pet named Toby and a nameless laboratory beagle known only as ’43.’
Kate Salmon, Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, explains the purpose behind the film: “The dogs used in experiments are no different from those we share our family homes with. It’s disgraceful that in 2025, here in the UK, thousands of dogs and hundreds of thousands of other animals are still subjected to experiments. Our new short film hammers it home that behind every animal experiment is an individual whose life matters.”
Created by Fire Lily Studio, the animation is based on real footage of dogs confined in labs, highlighting the stark contrast between a pet’s life filled with love and companionship and a laboratory dog’s life filled with confinement and cruelty.
Ben Sinclair, Founder of Fire Lily Studio, shares the inspiration behind the film: “At Fire Lily Studio, our work is inspired by real animals facing real suffering. In this film, scenes from 43’s life are based on actual footage of dogs confined in labs — stuck in cold routines and handled by clinical, uncaring hands. We try to do our part for animal rights by telling their stories through the power of animation. What matters most to us is showing how they feel — giving people a chance to connect with that emotion.”
Writer and producer, Paul Goodenough, expresses his hope for a future without animal testing: “If I had one wish right now, it would be that this film didn’t exist. Not because it’s not amazing, it really is…I just wish it didn’t need to be made, and we could instead be celebrating a film that announced the end of animal testing, forever. And to all the 43’s in the world, I’m sorry. We are fighting for you.”
Naturewatch Foundation is using the launch of the film to also launch a national fundraising campaign to support its work for animals. This includes a new grant to help fund the development of non-animal testing methods.
In 2023 alone, 3,565 scientific procedures were carried out on beagles in British laboratories, primarily for regulatory toxicity tests. These tests involve repeatedly dosing dogs with harmful substances for up to 90 days, depriving them of freedom, comfort, and companionship.
To help end this suffering, Naturewatch Foundation is urging the public to take action by sharing the animation, using the charity’s Compassionate Shopping Guide to shop cruelty-free, and donating to support its wider animal welfare work.
The short film, “A Tail of Two Dogs,” is available to watch on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shorts/2Y3x_Vi67uY?feature=share. To donate and learn more about beagle testing, please visit: https://naturewatch.org/campaigns/animal-experiments/beagle-testing/.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.