Lab Dogs and introducing Beagle Freedom Project

That's as in laboratory dogs, not "lap dogs."

According to KTLA news,  there are 70,000 dogs used in research testing in laboratories across the country.

Here's a story about a dog that made it out. Her name is Libby. PETA has the story. Recently they were instrumental in shutting down a testing lab in North Carolina and four of its workers were indicted for animal cruelty.

Here another story about lab dogs, which are mostly beagles, because of their good disposition.

"The people using animals in testing like the beagle because they are small dogs, friendly and docile," Rajt (Lindsey Rajt of PETA) said. "They can be manipulated."

I am impressed by the founder of the Beagle Freedom Project, who has created a relationship with the laboratory in the story that calls her when they are ready to release a dog. That would be a hard road to travel. A Facebook rescue buddy of mine in Staten Island has a relationship with some Amish farmers, from whom she takes dogs they used for breeding but no longer want. (Yes, the Amish are big puppymillers, with no oversight, BTW). It's hard on her too, but she does it. The dogs are always in terrible shape.

Just last month, nine beagles were made available. Forty-eight hours later, the animals were in her possession.

"They were so scared it took them at least 15 minutes to even step on the grass," Keith (who heads of Beagle Freedom Project) told KTLA.

"They had never felt grass, never been outdoors, never seen the sun. It was bittersweet."

Now, those dogs are running around and happy, but Keith says there are thousands more still living in cages and being tested on.

This is tough minded work.

Here's the groups website if you'd like to learn more about their work and make a donation.

The Beagle Freedom Project says the best way to take a stand against animal testing is to be more aware of the products you buy.

For a guide to companies that do and do not test on animals, visit: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx.

Looks like Beagle Freedom Project is having an adoption day this weekend. If you're in the Hollywood California area, check it out. Info is on their website.

ADOPTION DAY

Sunday, July 24th from 11am-3pm

Come meet our beagles and other rescues!

Healthy Spot in West Hollywood

8525 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

Share

Keep Animals Out Of Labs or Regulate Sales to Those Labs

via ASPCA:

(BTW- this is an imperfect issue but if it must exist, I'd rather it be regulated. More commentary at end).

Dear Animal Advocates,

The federal Pet Safety and Protection Act would prohibit Class B Dealers and unlicensed individuals from selling dogs and cats to research laboratories.

Class B Dealers are people who collect dogs and cats to sell to the research industry. They sometimes obtain their animals through illegal or unethical means, such as by responding to “free to good home” ads in newspapers, falsifying records to keep the true origins of the animals unknown and stealing pets kept outside in yards. They also buy animals in bulk from “bunchers,” whose methods are even more questionable.

Eliminating Class B Dealers will also take away the profit motive of bunchers, providing a much-needed safety net to ensure beloved pets are not stolen or acquired under false pretenses and sold to facilities that test on animals.

What You Can Do

Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center Online to email your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support and cosponsor the Pet Safety and Protection Act. You may use the same link to read about this legislation in greater depth. https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2611&JServSessionIdr003=kwb5fhnm42.app28a

From the link:

The U.S. Pet Safety and Protection Act (S. 1834/H.R. 3907) would provide a much-needed safety net to ensure that beloved family pets are not stolen or acquired under false pretenses for sale to research laboratories.

Recently reintroduced in Congress, the Pet Safety and Protection Act would prohibit Class B Dealers and unlicensed individuals from selling dogs and cats to research laboratories. Class B Dealers are people who make their livings by selling animals to the research industry. This is currently permitted under the Animal Welfare Act (passed in 1966), but these dealers are not held accountable for where they obtained their animals.

This is a problem, because dealers sometimes acquire animals through illegal or unethical means—such as by responding to “free to a good home” ads in newspapers, falsifying records to keep the true origins of the animals unknown, working with “bunchers” (people who collect animals from random sources to sell to Class B Dealers) and stealing pets kept outside in yards.

If the Pet Safety and Protection Act is passed, the Animal Welfare Act would be amended so that the only people who would be allowed to sell dogs and cats to research facilities would be:

• Dealers who have bred and raised the animals.
• Publicly owned pounds or shelters that obtained the animals from their legal owners.
• A person donating a dog or cat whom they have bred and raised, or owned for at least one year.

People who obtained dogs and cats by any other means would not be permitted to sell those dogs and cats to research laboratories, thus ensuring that stolen pets do not end up in research facilities.

Thank you for supporting the ASPCA and America’s animals.

(Note from author: I happen to think this leaves open the door for municiple shelters to sell their dogs into research, and for puppy mill breeders to do the same, but in order to put pressure on anyone selling dogs in this way, it must first be regulated.  This is a good first step.) In the meanwhile, keep an eye on your dog while it is outside.

xoxo