Saturday, May 17, 2014

Beagle Freedom Project

Everyone has a right to their opinion, it is a free country, or so I'm told. When it comes to political and Religious views I tend to keep my opinions to myself.
Except for this one, Animal Testing.
(Quick Note-This has nothing to do with PETA, also- I love a good cheeseburger)


The Beagle Freedom Project is an organization that rescues Beagles from Labs when they are no longer needed for testing.
Their Motto: "The Beagle Freedom Project is a mission to rescue beagles used in animal experimentation in research laboratories and give them a chance at life in a loving forever home."
 Many of these Beagles have never seen sunlight or been outside until they are rescued and given a second chance at life.
The Beagle Freedom Project has rescued Beagles through out the United States, including 40 Beagles from a Lab in Spain. They have video of these precious dogs coming out of their cages and walking on grass for the first time in their lives.
If you get a chance, go to http://www.beaglefreedomproject.org  and see for yourself the amazing accomplishments they have done for laboratory beagles and the other animals they have rescued.

As the owner of two playful, happy, loving and often rambunctious Beagles, this hits me hard.
I went to the state capitol a few weeks back and supported a rally on a Bill called AB 2431 (The Beagle Freedom Bill) for lab Beagles to be adopted out instead of being euthanized after testing.
The Bill passed 12-0 which is an important first step, but there are many more to take on this journey to free and find homes for all available laboratory animals.The Beagle Freedom Project was there with T-shirts and posters that read : 'Life After Labs'
I brought my two Beagles Buster & Mollie with me and we got to meet Abe, Davey, Franklin and Leonardo who are just four of the Beagles they have rescued and adopted to forever homes. It was an amazing experience.

  If I do anything positive in my life, I want to help make people aware of the cruelty of laboratory testing.
 Below is a poem I found on the 'Unite To Care' facebook page, written by June Burden and a photo of a lab Beagle. It is sad but true for so many beautiful innocent Beagles that just want to be loved.Thank you for taking the time to read this.



Beagle 469.
Cowering in the back of my cage
as small as I can be,
I hope and pray when the 'white coats' come
they do not pick me.
I hear the click of the cage door
it's another dog this time,
another of the many to feel the pain
waiting in a line.
They claim this is for science
they need to find a cure,
but they hurt us a 1000 times
and still come back for more.
I wish they would pet me and not hurt me
but the white coats don't have the time,
I wish they would name me and hug me
but I'm 'beagle 469'.
I've heard a white coat once say
that people rescue dogs like me,
they run on something called grass
cherished and loved and free.
When I close my eyes in the darkness
I pray to the Lord divine,
Please send someone to rescue
the beagle 469.
Copyright by June Burden 2014.