4,000 Former Research Beagles Moving from Virginia Facility to Shelters to Find Forever Homes

Photo: Homeward Trails Animal Rescue

Four thousand beagles that spent most of their lives at a Virginia breeding facility will soon be looking for loving homes.

According toUSA Today, thousands of dogs living at a breeding facility accused of animal welfare violations, will be transported to shelters across the U.S. to prepare for adoption. The plan to move the beagles from the Cumberland, Virginia facility was put in place after the federal government filed a civil enforcement case in May against Envigo RMS — the company that owns and operates the facility for medical research. After the case was filed, U.S. District Court Judge Norman Moon issued a restraining order imposing restrictions on the facility, the outlet reported.

Since 2021,investigations into the Envigo breeding centerhave turned up reports of underfed, ill, and injured dogs, and dogs that were euthanized instead of given medical care, perThe New York Times.

Additionally, 300 puppy deaths at the facility were attributed to “unknown causes” between January and July 2021, according to an inspection report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USA Today reported.

Inotiv, Inc., Envigo’s parent company,released a statement in Juneannouncing it would close the Cumberland facility.

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue

In March,Homeward Trails Animal Rescuein Fairfax, Virginia, took in over 400 beagles from the breeding facility in Cumberland after working out a plan with Envigo.

By agreeing to take on responsibility for these surplus Envigo canines, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue ensured that the over 400 beagles wouldn’t face euthanasia.

“While certainly a monumental task, this is not something I had to think about for more than a second before agreeing. It is truly an honor to be able to give these dogs the lives they deserve,” the rescue’s executive director, Sue Bell, said in a statement.

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue told PEOPLEin March that it had already moved over 300 beagles from the facility to partner shelters and rescues across “Virginia and beyond,” with room to care for the dogs until they are adopted.

“I would love nothing more than to have 400 Beagles at our shelter, that is obviously not possible. We have been lucky to have the amazing support of groups like theKindness Ranch Animal Sanctuaryin Wyoming,Priceless Pet Rescuein California, theRichmond SPCA, and other Virginia groups stepping up to take these dogs in,” Bell added at the time.

Envigo is grateful to Bell and Homeward Trails Animal Rescue for giving bright futures to their surplus dogs.

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source: people.com