Rescued Research Beagles Start New Lives

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — The SPCA of Westchester had an immediate outpouring of interest in the 18 refugees it took in as part of a nationwide effort to rescue 4,000 beagles from horrific conditions at a medical research breeding facility in Virginia.

The Humane Society of the United States announced Sept. 1 it had completed its historic mission.

Since July, the HSUS had led the operation to remove the beagles from Envigo RMS LLC’s facility in Cumberland, Virginia, at the request of the United States Department of Justice. The transfer resulted from a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice in May, which alleged shocking violations of the Animal Welfare Act at the breeding facility.

"Our Animal Rescue Team’s work to transfer these beagles is a milestone in a fight we’ve been waging for years," said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. "It’s ironic that these dogs were only spared from a lifetime of pain, suffering and isolation in testing labs because this breeding facility was cited for Animal Welfare Act violations. Most of them would have been sold and spent their short lives in laboratories. Many people don’t realize that an average of 60,000 dogs just like these are still used in laboratories each year. Even as we celebrate these lucky dogs going to loving homes, we’re focused on creating a future where no dogs will face that kind of fate.”

The SPCA of Westchester was one of the many partners that accepted some of the beagles into their adoption programs. Shannon Laukhuf, Executive Director of SPCA Westchester said the group was honored to be asked to assist in giving the beagles a second chance. The agency was immediately inundated with offers from would-be adopters.

"We had such an outpouring of interest which was wonderful," Lisa Bonanno-Spence, the SPCA of Westchester's director of development, told Patch. Bonanno-Spence was on the team that traveled to Virginia. SEE: Rescuing Research Dogs: US Marshals Escorted Westchester SPCA. "There are a lot of great applicants who would make wonderful homes but of course, we only had so many beagles."

Miguel Abi-hassan, chief animal rescue, care and sanctuary officer for the Humane Society of the United States, said they worked with more than 120 shelter and rescue partners and were able to remove every dog from the facility in two months.

"The HSUS will continue the work of promoting alternatives to animal testing so that this antiquated practice may come to an end, he said. “We ask those touched by this story to join our efforts so that this may be the last time we are asked to empty a facility that profits from animal testing.”

Read more:

• Beagle Breeding Facility Shutting Down Over Violations Will Be Allowed To Sell 500 Dogs
• SPCA Of Westchester Joins Nationwide Rescue Of Beagles