Rose Patterson on Rescuing Beagles, Disrupting the Grand National, and Building Animal Rising into a Movement

Rose Patterson, Director of Animal Rising in the UK, joins Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan for a deep dive into one of the most daring and legally complex animal rescue stories in recent UK history. Rose shares how Animal Rising evolved from a climate-focused Extinction Rebellion offshoot into a frontline animal rights organization, and what it really takes to challenge the systems that exploit animals — from factory farms to royal estates.

• The MBR Acres Beagle Rescues: Rose details the two open rescues at MBR Acres, the UK’s only beagle breeding facility for animal testing — including the occupation, the 23 dogs saved, and the fate of Love and Libby, the puppies taken back by police.
• Five Trials, Mixed Verdicts: With 20 defendants split across five trials, the same act of rescue resulted in both guilty and not-guilty verdicts, raising urgent questions about jury discretion, legal precedent, and the honesty defense under UK law.
• Theory of Change Through Direct Action: Rose explains how bold, nonviolent actions — blockading McDonald’s and dairy distribution centers, disrupting the Grand National, and conducting the largest farm investigation in UK history — are designed to create moral shock and shift public culture.
• From Puppies to Pigs: Rose reflects on the strategic challenge of transferring public empathy from companion animals to farmed animals, and why she believes the UK is closer to ending factory farming than many realize, with 56–85% of the public already opposing it.
• What’s Next for Animal Rising: A massive multi-year factory farming investigation and campaign is set to launch this summer, backed by over 100 trained volunteer investigators and aimed at pressuring the UK government to phase out factory farming entirely.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Rose Patterson is the Director of Animal Rising. She’s been a dedicated animal rights advocate since 2012 and has led major campaigns, investigations, and direct actions, including blockades of McDonald’s and dairy distribution centers, the disruption of the Grand National horse race, and the largest investigation in UK history on RSPCA Assured farms. Rose was recently found not guilty for rescuing beagles from MBR Acres, a breeding facility for animal testing.

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Join hostesses Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan on this unique and fun award-winning podcast that focuses on changing the world for animals.

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