Pets at Home supplies MBR Acres — here's what that means
What We Know About Pets at Home
Pets at Home and MBR Acres
Pets at Home, the UK’s largest pet supplies retailer, was identified as having indirect commercial links to MBR Acres through its supplier JRS (J. Rettenmaier & Sohne), which provided animal bedding to both Pets at Home and MBR Acres.
After a customer campaign highlighted this connection, Pets at Home reviewed the situation and threatened to pull its contract with JRS unless JRS ceased supplying MBR Acres. JRS subsequently joined the boycott.
Status
Pets at Home has done the right thing. The company ended its association with MBR Acres and used its commercial leverage to bring JRS into the boycott.
What MBR Acres Does
MBR Acres, located in Wyton, Cambridgeshire, is one of the largest beagle breeding facilities in Europe. It breeds approximately 2,000 beagle puppies every year and sells them to laboratories for use in experiments. The facility operates behind high fences and security, with no independent oversight of animal welfare conditions inside.
Beagles are the breed of choice for laboratory testing because of their docile, trusting nature and their manageable size. These dogs are purpose-bred from birth to be used in experiments and never experience life as a normal dog.
The Italy Conviction
The people behind MBR Acres were previously involved in running Green Hill, a similar beagle breeding facility in Brescia, Italy. In 2014, an Italian court convicted individuals associated with Green Hill of animal cruelty. Following the conviction, the operation was effectively relocated to the United Kingdom, where it now operates as MBR Acres.
Read the Full Italy StoryWhat Other Suppliers Have Done
A growing number of companies have already cut ties with MBR Acres after learning about the facility and hearing from concerned members of the public. These companies have shown that it is possible to do the right thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pets at Home really supply MBR Acres?
Yes. Based on publicly available evidence, Pets at Home provides goods or services to MBR Acres. If you believe this information is incorrect, please contact us and we will review it.
What is MBR Acres?
MBR Acres is a facility in Wyton, Cambridgeshire that breeds approximately 2,000 beagle puppies every year for sale to laboratories for use in experiments.
What was the Italy conviction?
Individuals behind MBR Acres were previously involved in running Green Hill, a beagle breeding facility in Brescia, Italy. In 2014, an Italian court convicted them of animal cruelty.
Have other suppliers stopped working with MBR Acres?
Yes. More than 10 companies have ended their relationship with MBR Acres after hearing from concerned members of the public. The list continues to grow.
Is it legal to contact suppliers?
Yes. Writing a polite, factual letter or email to a company is a perfectly lawful exercise of your right to free expression. We always encourage respectful communication.