About 4,000 beagles were rescued from a Virginia breeding facility, where the dogs were not given proper veterinary care or food.
The Humane Society of the United States stated in a press release that the Envigo facility in Cumberland bred over 4,000 canines to sell to laboratories for animal experimentation.
The Department of Justice sued the institution in May, alleging it had repeatedly violated the Animal Welfare Act, prompting the Humane Society of the United States to launch the rescue effort.
The facility had multiple violations
Multiple violations were detected at the site during federal inspections. Numerous dogs were found to be living in unhygienic conditions, and some were discovered to have been euthanized without the required anesthetic. The canines did not receive adequate veterinary treatment, nor were they given enough food. Many of them were about to be sold to labs for experimentation.
Fox News reported that in a complaint filed with the U.S District Court in the Western District of Virginia, many dogs had been mistreated and were ill, injured, and underfed.
In 2021, 300 puppies died at the facility over a six-month period, according to the reports.
Roughly 4,000 beagles will be relocated from the facility to the partner organizations of the Humane Society, where they will be made put up for adoption.
“These dogs have lived their lives in a massive breeding facility riddled with Animal Welfare Act violations,” said Miguel Abi-Hassan, who was the chief animal resume, care, and sanctuary officer for the Humane Society of the United States.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with our shelter and rescue partners to give these beagles a new life.” he continued in a press release.
How you can take these dogs home
The dogs will now be sent to shelters for adoption and are in need of caring homes.
The Humane Society of the United States is still arranging transportation for the dogs due to the enormity of the rescue operation, and in the coming months, it will update the list of shelters that will be taking the dogs.
While some dogs might also go to the West Coast, a majority of the dogs will go to partner shelters in the Midwest and East Coast.
According to the Humane Society of the United States’ website, each shelter will have its own procedure for processing requests for adoption and foster care.
Following is a list of the confirmed shelters that will take the rescued beagles
- Homeward Trails, Virginia– The shelter will require the adopters to complete a questionnaire and attend an interview regarding the adoption.
- Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, Wyoming– The shelter will require the adopters to fill out a form regarding the adoption.
- Massachusetts SPCA, Massachusetts– This shelter will have the adopters submit an inquiry before they are set up with a matchmaking appointment and visit the available pets.
- Northeast Animal Shelter, Massachusetts– This shelter will also require the adopters to submit an inquiry regarding adoption.
- Priceless Pets, California– This shelter would require the adopters to fill out a dog interest form.