Beagle Freedom Project

If you are like me, you agree that the VERY least we owe the forced subjects of animal research is the right of a chance for freedom and happiness once they are done being researched upon. This is the very essence of the Beagle Freedom Project.

The Beagle Freedom Project works to find homes for retired animal research subjects, better legislation for research animals, and educating kids about kindness to animals. Since 2010 they have rescued and rehoused thousands of research animals. This photograph from the Beagle Freedom Project is used via the Fair Use Doctrine for Educational Purposes.

Beagle Freedom Project is finding homes for beagles that have been used in laboratory research after the labs no longer want or need them.  In the past, research animals were always killed immediately after use, even if they were still healthy and adoptable. Although this is still the case for the majority of research animals, BFP is one group working to change the old paradigm into one less cruel.

BFP is a fantastic organization that is achieving success for animals on so many fronts: they work on legislation, educating kids, rescuing and rehoming animal research subjects, among just a few things this tireless group does.

As far as their title "Beagle Freedom Project", it's not just beagles that are used in animal research or vivisection. Every type of animal you can think of is used in research, even some endangered animals such as owls, axolotls, long tailed macaques, every type of dog, cat, primate pigs, goats, fish, amphibians, invertebrates and rodents. Although all types of dogs are used in research, beagles are the #1 preferred dog for animal researchers because they are docile and friendly, making them so called "easier to work with."

Perhaps it makes it all the more tragic that research animals can't or don't "fight back". Did you know that most laboratory dogs and cats have their vocal chords cut so they can't scream in pain? Most research animals have never felt grass under their paws or sunlight on their fur. 115 million animals are used EVERY YEAR in animal research.  Much (but not all) of this research is for cosmetic, tobacco and product testing -- things that we DO NOT NEED MORE DATA ABOUT! Often the types of research being done have been done many times before and do not need to be repeated, but are done over and over again in a stunning example of wastefulness and cruelty. While we wish we could help ALL research animals, Beagle Freedom Project is a beacon of hope that at least some people care about the poor animals that have been forced to give their lives against their will.  It is a tragedy and travesty of enormous proportion.

Please join the Beagle Freedom Project -- one of the most worthwhile organizations I know.