Ontario has officially passed Bill 75, a groundbreaking new law that bans invasive medical experiments on cats and dogs. This historic legislation marks a world first and represents a major step forward for animals used in research.
The passage of the bill follows months of public outrage after Animal Justice released disturbing footage from a secret dog laboratory at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario.
Cats & Dogs Suffer in Labs Across Canada
The investigation exposed dogs being used in hours-long cardiac arrest experiments. Two courageous whistleblowers came forward to Animal Justice with heartbreaking accounts from inside the hospital. They shared the story of Salt, a gentle puppy who was left alone and distressed after her cagemate, Sugar, was killed during an experiment.
According to the whistleblowers, Salt whimpered constantly and showed clear signs of psychological suffering. For example, she repeatedly submerged her face into her water dish. Staff members tried to comfort her, but just two months later, Salt was also killed. Her body was discarded in a barrel alongside other dogs.
Although this legislation came too late to save Salt, her story helped spark a historic movement for change across Ontario. After news of the secret dog testing lab made headlines, the lab was forced the close, surviving dogs were adopted, and the province promised new laws.
Next Step for Protecting Cats & Dogs in Ontario Labs
This new law is a major victory for animals trapped in laboratories, but our work is far from over. The regulations currently being developed will determine how strong and effective the law truly becomes. They will define exactly which animals receive protection and what kinds of tests are prohibited.
Animal Justice is already advocating for stronger provincial protections, including:
- Clarifying that all invasive testing on cats and dogs is banned—not just medical research.
- Removing legal exemptions that deny animals used in experiments the same protections other animals receive under Ontario law.
- Ending “pound seizure”—the practice of selling lost or abandoned animals into laboratories for experimentation.
Bill 75 is a powerful reminder that change is possible when hidden cruelty to animals finally comes to light. Stay tuned for next steps to ensure Ontario’s animal testing law is as strong as possible.
