Could Animal Testing Finally End?
Animal testing is facing a historic challenge as activists demand an end to experiments on dogs and other animals while new scientific alternatives gain momentum. In this episode of Action Hour, protesters in Thousand Oaks call on Amgen to cut ties with Marshall BioResources, described in the program as a major supplier of animals for research. At the same time, federal agencies are advancing New Approach Methodologies that could reduce or replace some traditional animal tests.
"We know the science is against this, we know the victims are against this, and the public is against this."
– Pete, The True Cost Project
What You'll Discover
Hear directly from activists with Direct Action Everywhere and The True Cost Project about the campaign targeting Marshall BioResources, the use of beagles in laboratory research, and the personal risks some activists say they have taken to rescue animals. The episode also presents Marshall BioResources' response, including its statement about USDA inspections and animal-welfare standards.
"I'll do it with a smile on my face because every bit of it is worth it for the life of an animal."
– Pete, The True Cost Project
Join the Adventure
Listen to the debate, hear the activists' stories, and decide for yourself: could animal testing finally end? Share this episode and help bring more attention to the rapidly changing conversation around animal testing and alternatives.
Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning journalist, TV producer and NY Times bestselling author who founded UnchainedTV, the world's premier plant-based streaming network. UnchainedTV offers 2,000 free documentaries, cooking shows, lifestyle and news programs. Download UnchainedTV free on mobile or TV streaming devices like Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Watch online: https://watch.unchainedtv.com/browse
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TRANSCRIPT:
(0:00) Welcome to Action Hour. Can this be the end for animal testing? (0:04) Wing Chun animal activists documented eagles inside a breeding facility's supplying laboratory. (0:11) That led to an investigation and then to a daring open rescue where activists carried (0:17) 22 eagles to safety, only for some of them to be taken back later.
(0:22) When they returned to rescue more dogs, they were met with tear gas, pepper spray, (0:27) and rubber bullets. The events now shine a national spotlight on the treatment of (0:32) dogs bred for laboratory research. Soon after, Rigland Farms closed and remaining (0:37) eagles were released for adoption through rescue organizations.
(0:42) Today, the movement has shifted its focus to Marshall Bioresources in North Rose, (0:48) New York, one of the nation's largest suppliers of animals for research. (0:53) Demonstrations are now taking place across the country. (0:57) This week, we caught up with protesters gathering in Thousand Oaks outside a company that (1:02) reportedly bought eagles from Marshall Bioresource labs last year.
(1:13) If at any point you feel two taps on your shoulder, you're still not in trouble, (1:17) but we'd like you to please leave the protest entirely. (1:22) Basically, one tap, take a lap, two taps, hit the road, (1:25) jam. You have this policy for everyone's safety, and if it happens, you're more than entitled to (1:30) have a one-on-one conversation with me in person or maybe on signal afterwards.
(1:35) I don't anticipate that happening today, but we just put that in place. (1:49) Tell us your name. Why are you here today? (1:51) My name's Tiffany Brunelli, and I'm an organizer with Direct Action everywhere in Los Angeles, (1:57) and we organize.
This has been a weekend of actions throughout the country, (2:01) and today's the last day. We needed to come today because they're only here during the week, (2:06) and we saw their inspection, Amgen's inspection report from 2025, and they tested on 22, (2:14) 23 beagles, I believe, from Marshall and about 122 rabbits. Not sure where those are from.
(2:22) We don't have the reports yet for 2026, so we're asking them to cut ties with Marshall (2:28) and to stop buying dogs from Marshall. How confident are they that they are going to (2:41) be able to take on this behemoth? You've heard the scuttlebutt around. Is everyone super confident?(2:49) Yeah, Wayne says one year and Marshall will be done.
Here is a statement from Marshall (2:56) Bioresources. Breeding animals for use in medical research in the United States is highly regulated (3:03) and subject to ongoing oversight. Our facilities are regularly inspected by the U.S. Department (3:09) of Agriculture to ensure compliance with federal animal welfare standards.
Our most recent unannounced (3:16) USDA inspection was conducted on May 26, resulting in a clean report with no citations or observations. (3:24) We also maintain voluntary accreditation through AAA LAC International, an independent (3:30) non-profit organization that promotes high standards, often stricter than federal law. (3:36) In addition to our programs, have earned ISO 9001 certification for quality management and (3:43) operational standards.
(4:01) Hi there. Hi. I saw your speech out there and you're leading the crowd.
By chance you have (4:15) a lot of energy and passion about this issue. Tell us why you're here today. Well i'm Pete (4:19) I'm with the True Cost Project and we are running a concurrent campaign against Marshall (4:25) Bioresources with Direct Action Everywhere, Beagle Freedom Project, and many other organizations (4:29) around the world, in fact.
(4:31) Both against MBR, Marshall Bioresources in upstate New York, and MBR Acres in the UK.(4:37) We know the science is against this, we know the victims are against this, and the public(4:42) is against this. (4:43) I understand that you were charged recently.
(4:46) Can you tell us about that? (4:47) Sure, I was charged with conspiracy and burglary. (4:50) I'm facing 12 and a half years in prison for rescuing one beagle that was ultimately one (4:55) of the Ridgeland Eight and taken back by police that day in March and brought back to Ridgeland.(5:01) So I actually don't know if he made it out.
(5:04) Oh, that's such a sad story. (5:05) Yeah, and I named him Tracker after my childhood beagle, Tracker. (5:08) He does have a name, nonetheless.
(5:11) So what are you, how do you feel about getting charged and what transpired? (5:15) Like, what emotions are you having? (5:17) You know, I feel like if we actually do time, I'll do it with a smile on my face because (5:23) every bit of it is worth it for the life of an animal. (5:27) Those animals didn't choose to be in the prison cells that they were in. (5:32) I chose to go in there and rescue that animal.
(5:35) And if in our unjust, injustice system, I wind up behind bars too, then so be it. (5:41) The noise that we created and the change that we made in the world is everlasting. (6:05) Cut dues for animal abuse! (6:13) There's never an excuse for animal abuse! (6:16) Wasting cash dollars are no excuse for animal abuse! (6:21) Worthless experiments are no excuse for animal abuse! (6:26) So-called scientists... (6:27) So you're with DXC, tell us your name and your position there.
(6:31) Yeah, my name's Dash Nye. (6:33) I work with the protest group of the Los Angeles chapter of DXC. (6:37) And today I'm also the Los Angeles press coordinator.
(6:40) Wow, so you've organized this whole protest here that's going on. (6:43) That was pretty good, organizing that and getting it going so quickly. (6:47) Thank you, it wasn't just me.
(6:48) I have a bunch of co-organizers and I always tell people, (6:54) even if you're familiar with Direct Action Everywhere, (6:55) I feel pretty lucky to be part of the Los Angeles group. (6:58) We have a lot of people to share the roles (7:01) and a lot of enthusiasm and passion as you can see today. (7:04) Yeah, so you've got a lot of support here in LA is what you're saying.
(7:07) That's correct, yeah. (7:08) So what is the reason you guys came out here today to this facility? (7:13) They're one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world. (7:16) They are a buyer of Marshall Bioresources, specifically dogs.
(7:22) We have a USDA report that showed this facility, (7:25) this 1,000-ounce facility, tested on 23 dogs last year. (7:29) So we're here today to ask them to do the right thing (7:32) and cut ties with Marshall Bioresources. (7:35) The country is, frankly, shifting away from needless animal experimentation.
(7:40) And Amgen made $36.8 billion last year. (7:43) They have all the money and resources to kind of lead the charge (7:48) in this historic shift away from unnecessary tests (7:50) that, frankly, don't work the majority of the time. (7:52) There's this misconception that it does make advances for human health.
(7:57) A lot of that is due to lobbying activities (7:59) and sort of messaging you see from universities and laboratories. (8:04) But most people have heard that the NIH, (8:07) the National Institutes of Health, (8:09) has said something like 95% of tests that were proven successful on animals (8:14) completely fail human trials because it's not applicable. (8:17) And of the small fraction of drugs that are approved, (8:21) half of them need to be relabeled because new side effects emerge (8:25) that did not come out during the tests on animals.
(8:29) Yeah, I think the whole thing is wrong. (8:31) I think Marshall should get shut down, just like Ridgeland did. (8:35) And I think they will.
(8:36) And I think people are waking up. (8:38) Yeah, and I think all vivisection will end very soon in America. (8:43) Yes, I understand there's like 20,000 dogs (8:46) as opposed to, I think, how many beagles were at Ridgeland Farms? (8:50) Something like 2,000.
(8:52) And there's more like 10 times that amount. (8:54) So you're a longtime animal advocate, Cori Mack. (8:57) Why are you here today? (9:00) Well, because I'm glad to see anti-vivisection is in the focus again.
(9:05) For years we were doing UCLA protests, (9:09) and then our vivisectors that were working on the monkeys left town, (9:15) and I started working on a different campaign. (9:18) But vivisection is one of the most heinous forms of animal abuse there is. (9:25) It purports to do good for people and science, (9:31) and it does the exact opposite.
(9:33) It sends science into the dark ages, (9:36) and of course it mutilates and murders animals.(9:40) Thank you. (9:41) So do you think it's possible to end animal testing in the near future?(9:46) I do believe it is.
(9:47) Yeah, what about the momentum that's building? (9:49) I think the momentum, this is the precipice. (9:52) This is the best chance we have ever had in the history. (9:56) You know, it's no longer required by the FDA.
(9:59) The current administration, say what you will about it, (10:01) but RFK is making a hard push against primate, dog, vivisection, and other animals. (10:07) He's already ended it on a federal level in many ways. (10:11) He's brought the attention to the public about this issue, (10:16) and most people, they don't realize that they're actually paying for it, right? (10:20) Yeah.
(10:21) All this stuff is tax subsidized. (10:23) It's either federal contracts or state subsidies that fund a lot of this stuff. (10:29) You should go to savethedogs.io and get involved.
(10:32) Join us in the streets. Join us lobbying. (10:35) Right now it's in the Senate to make sure, before it goes to the president's office, (10:39) to make sure that vivisection is done and is no longer required by the FDA.
(10:43) So, yeah. (10:43) Wasted tax dollars are no excuse. (10:47) Worthless experiments are no excuse.
(10:52) So-called science is no excuse. (10:56) It's not science. (10:57) It's not research.
(11:00) It's not normal. (11:03) It's not acceptable. (11:06) It's not medicine.
(11:09) It's not science. (11:12) It's not research. (11:14) It's not normal.
(11:16) It's not acceptable. (11:18) It's science! (11:20) Save the (11:23) beagles! (11:31) Public money!(11:33) Private cropping! (11:34) Public money! (11:35) Private cropping! (11:36) Public money! (11:38) Private cropping! (11:39) Public money! (11:40) Private cropping! (11:41) Public money! (11:42) Private cropping! (11:44) No taxation! (11:46) For animal experimentation! (11:47) No taxation! (11:49) For animal experimentation! (11:51) No taxation! (11:53) For animal experimentation! (11:55) No taxation!(11:56) For animal experimentation! (11:58) Because it's your job! (12:05) They're organizing a large march in Washington D.C. (12:09) Or in New York. (12:10) I think it's like 14 days.
(12:12) So there's a lot of testing, a lot of attention right now (12:15) on animal testing and especially (12:17) beagles and dogs. (12:19) This has been going on (12:20) for over an hour here(12:23) and for the most part the crowd (12:25) is not letting up. (12:26) I see people (12:29) facing the company (12:38) Is there anything else (12:39) you want to tell us for today? (12:41) Well there's a lot of (12:44) enthusiasm behind this campaign.
(12:46) It's Monday today. (12:47) We're at the tail end of a nationwide (12:49) weekend of action against Marshall (12:51) Bio Resources. So if people (12:53) want to learn more about the updates,(12:55) if people want to find a protest near them, (12:57) I invite them to check out (12:59) SaveTheDogs.io. We would love for you to get (13:01) involved.
We need to speak up for these (13:03) dogs and frankly all animals (13:05) that have to suffer through these bogus tests.