Thousands of beagles are looking for forever homes after a monumental rescue effort that took years to complete.
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In May 2022, 500 beagles were rescued from a life of laboratory testing thanks to multiple animal rescue organizations. Now, with a little help from a U.S. District Court ruling, the rest of the dogs from Envigo breeding facility will be saved as well!
Envigo breeding and research facility in Cumberland, Virginia is contracted to breed dogs for research and scientific experiments regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, federal investigations revealed that the dogs in this facility were being treated inhumanely.
“According to USDA reports, Envigo’s facility committed 70 animal rights violations, including more than 300 puppy deaths in the beginning of 2021 from unknown causes, inhumanely euthanizing puppies, severe skin problems and dental disease among dogs, as well as dogs wounded in dog fights,” the Homeward Trails website states. “This led to further action by the United States Department of Justice, ultimately resulting in the closure of the Cumberland facility.”
A senior U.S. District Court Judge ordered that 4,000 beagles be removed from the facility and put up for adoption. He also ordered Envigo to pay a fee for each dog to help cover the cost of veterinary care and adoption.
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, a nonprofit that provides pet adoption in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland, will facilitate the removal and adoptions for these dogs. Starting the week of July 25th, more than 1,500 beagles will be available for adoption! The rescue is also seeking foster homes and donations to help with the overwhelming efforts that lie before them.
“This is one of the largest dog rescue efforts ever coordinated and has truly been a group effort,” said Sue Bell, executive director of Homeward Trails. “To know that these dogs will get to have the lives they deserve and not languish in cages for the rest of their lives is just so rewarding.”
Homeward Trails and the Humane Society of the United States will team up to find homes for these animals within the next 60 days. If you’d like to apply to adopt a beagle in the D.C. area, you can send an email to Homeward Trails!
While finding loving forever homes for 4,000 dogs is a daunting task, these rescue workers are reveling in helping dogs who’ve never lived outside of a cage find out what life – and love, can feel like.
“For months now, we have witnessed first-hand the joy these dogs experience when their feet touch grass for the first time, they get a bone to chew on, and they experience love from a human being,” Sue said.
Our hats are off to Homeward Trails and all of the other tenacious animal rescue workers who made this rescue happen! Thanks to their hard work, thousands of dogs will become beloved family members instead of living a life of pain.
Share this story to welcome these pups home!
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