Valentine’s Day is set aside to show love.
That love isn’t limited to just people. Pooches need love and protection too.
That’s why Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to announce something very special from the Beagle Freedom Project.
The non-profit’s mission is to end all animal testing.
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News 6 anchor Ginger Gadsden was joined via Zoom by the non-profit’s President Shannon Keith, who was in Oklahoma for the big announcement.
With a smile on her face, Keith told Gadsden the big news. You can watch the full interview in the video player above.
“We were just able to secure the closure of a laboratory in Oklahoma that does animal testing,” she said. “Over 200 dogs and cats have been used for toxicity testing and we finally were able to negotiate the closure of this facility and have taken custody of all of these animals now.”
At this particular facility, they were testing flea and tick products, which are toxic to animals, and Keith says it can give cats and dogs seizures and even lead to death.
Keith says this lab represents roughly one-third of the tests done on flea and tick meds in the U.S. — testing Keith says is not only unethical but also unnecessary.
The Food and Drug Administration’s Modernization Act of 2022 made it unnecessary to test a number of products on animals.
The 30-acre property will now be transformed into a rehab center.
As Keith shared the news, she was holding Sara, one of the beagles rescued from testing.
Sara had the sweetest disposition while sitting in Keith’s lap. It’s their sweetness that makes them an easy target.
Keith said that according to the animal testing industry, they use beagles for testing because they are docile, friendly and forgiving.
Keith recalled the heartbreaking story of what one lab worker told her about working with beagles, saying, “We could test on them one day, and the next day they will just wag their tail when they see us.”
It’s heartbreaking stories like that one that makes closing down these labs even more of a priority.
She says these pups just want what most of us want: love.
Closing the lab in Oklahoma wasn’t the only good news Keith wanted to share.
For the first time, some of the beagles rescued by the non-profit will be heading to foster homes in Florida. In fact, three of the dogs from the Oklahoma facility will be coming to Monticello, Florida.
Keith says because some of the dogs were breeding in captivity there will be more of them eventually heading to the Sunshine State.
Sara, the beagle sitting in Keith’s lab during the interview, had just given birth three days ago to five adorable pups.
And that’s where you can help.
The non-profit needs transporters, foster families and money.
The dogs have to get from Oklahoma to Florida, so if you can help drive them here, then they want to hear from you.
They also want to hear from you if you can foster these special pups.
Keith says families who already have dogs would make a great fit because these beagles have to learn how to be dogs. Gadsden asked her what she meant when she said they don’t know how to be dogs.
“They don’t understand normal social cues that we’re used to. They don’t get it at all. Like, when you say, “Good” or anything like that, they don’t understand it,” she explained.
She went on to explain, “Another dog in the home who is basically used to living a home will basically teach them: this is good, this is bad, this is where we go potty, this is how we walk on a leash, this is how we eat from a regular bowl. All of these things they don’t know about. They are afraid of loud noises, they don’t know what noises in the home are, and they will try to run away, so other dogs will teach them not to be afraid.”
The dogs and cats still have to be spayed or neutered. Some of them have other medical issues that need to be addressed. So if you can’t help with transportation or fostering, you can always donate money to help them recover.
If you would like to help, please visit the Beagle Freedom Project by clicking here.
The group is also specifically looking for volunteers and foster homes in Florida. If you are able to help, apply to foster HERE or volunteer HERE.
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