Lush Cosmetics and Animal Alliance of Canada have launched a national campaign calling for stronger legislation to prohibit the use of dogs and cats in research and testing in Canada.
The campaign, called Paws Off Our Pets, includes public advocacy efforts, fundraising initiatives and a push for provincial legislation aimed at protecting companion animals from being used in experiments. The organizations say Canada remains the only G7 country without federal legislation governing the use of animals in science.
The campaign launch comes as debate continues in Ontario over Bill 75, legislation introduced in November 2025 that would prohibit invasive medical research on dogs and cats. Animal Alliance of Canada said it is seeking amendments to strengthen the proposed law.
Toronto activation highlights campaign
As part of the campaign, Lush held a one-day public activation in Toronto on May 12 featuring a glass cube filled with hundreds of pet collars intended to represent the number of cats and dogs used in Ontario research between 2018 and 2022, according to a news release.
The organizations are also encouraging Canadians to sign a petition supporting legislative changes and are selling a limited-edition soap product, with 75 per cent of the purchase price before taxes directed toward organizations working to end animal testing and promote alternatives.
“These animals are not research tools. They are companions. Using former pets in experiments is a moral failure, plain and simple. We are hurting them, then throwing them away,” said Lia Laskaris, CEO of Animal Alliance of Canada.
“Ontario has an opportunity to finally close this cruel pipeline for good by passing meaningful protections that truly keep dogs and cats who are in municipal pounds and shelters from being acquired by researchers.”
Statistics and legislative focus
According to figures cited in the release from the Canadian Council on Animal Care, more than 77,751 cats and dogs were used for testing, research and teaching purposes in Canada between 2020 and 2024. The release said the figures do not include facilities not registered with the council.
The release also said Ontario is the only province in Canada that legislates the acquisition of pet dogs and cats for research and the only province where the practice is mandated. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 22,000 dogs and cats were used in Ontario research, according to the organizations.
Researchers can acquire dogs for as little as $6 and cats for $2, the release said.
Seth Laxman, Advocacy and Activism Lead at Lush Cosmetics, North America, said the campaign builds on earlier efforts by the company related to animal testing.
“After years of campaigning, we celebrated Canada’s ban on cosmetic animal testing in 2023, but our work is far from over,” he said.
“Dogs and cats are still being subjected to painful and often fatal experiments in Canadian labs. This campaign is our commitment to making Canada a global leader in ethical, human-relevant science and to holding governments and research institutions accountable until every companion animal is protected.”
The campaign also contributed to political pressure that preceded the Ontario government’s introduction of Bill 75, the organizations said.
Animal Alliance of Canada said it has worked on issues related to animal experimentation and legislative reform since 1991. Lush, founded in 1995, operates in 50 countries with more than 850 stores globally.
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