DC beagles free thanks to Beagle Freedom Project

On Monday, seven beagles walked on green grass and got human love for the first time ever.

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.

Beagle Freedom Project, the group that rescues beagles used for lab research, rescued seven dogs from a facility in the Washington, DC area on Monday.

The beagles were taken to a home and given their first taste of freedom together. Six were named for the Founding Fathers: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The seventh, a girl, was named for Dolly Madison.

But this is not the end of their stories. They have a long road ahead of them, including time with foster families who can teach them to be regular dogs. 

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.

Shannon Keith, founder of the Beagle Freedom Project, was on hand for the big rescue, which is only the second East Coast rescue for the group.

I spoke to her at the beginning of the year about what it takes to do a rescue. Check out that interview here.

"We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program," Keith said. "Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits."

In other words, it takes someone who wants to see these dogs in a good home within these labs. Otherwise, these beagles will be killed at the end.

"Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US," Keith said. "A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be."

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.

Keith calls that these companies' "dirty little secret." The research done is maybe pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

 What's worse, each year taxpayers fork over millions of dollars earmarked for animal research at government facilities.

Keith said there are things you can do to help Beagle Freedom Project rescue these beagles, not just across the country but around the world.

1. The first is money.
   
   "The rescue missions and veterinary costs can often be prohibitively expensive, but we will never let a laboratory beagle be killed simply because of money," Keith said. "We are always grateful for any donation."
   
   Oftentimes these beagles have health problems after years of experimentation. 
2. People can sign up to be a Beagle Freedom Project volunteer. Supporters can sign up at info@beaglefreedomproject.org
3. Buy and wear our merchandise. So many people have contacted us because they have see a stranger wearing a t-shirt and then looked up their website!
4. Never every buy anything tested on animals. Be a cruelty-free shopper and encourage all your friends and family members to do the same.

To buy cruelty-free items, check out Life With Beagle's Cruelty-Free Guide.

We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf

We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf

We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf

We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpu

We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpu