Thousands of beagles are being rescued from a mass breeding facility in Virginia after being shut down for inhumane treatment. The Helen Woodward Animal Center took in 45 to prepare them for adoption.
About 4,000 beagles were relinquished by Envigo RMS, a company that breeds and sells animals for research, from its Cumberland, VA facility to the Humane Society of the United States(HSUS). According to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) statement, the lawsuit was filed in May against the company, alleging it failed to provide humane care and treatment to the thousands of beagles.
Specifically, the complaint alleged that Envigo RMS failed to meet the minimum standards for handling under the Animal Welfare Act, which includes housing, feeding, watering, sanitation, and adequate veterinary care, among other requirements.
The DOJ worked with The HSUS to develop a plan to transfer the 4,000 remaining beagles from the Cumberland facility and make those beagles available for adoption. The transfer plan, which was jointly submitted by DOJ and Envigo RMS, was approved by the District Court on July 5.
Under the plan, the beagles will be removed over the course of 60 days.
“This settlement brings to an end the needless suffering caused by Envigo’s blatant violations of animal welfare laws at this facility,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We will continue to vigorously enforce animal welfare laws to ensure that animals are provided the humane care that they are legally owed and deserve.”
On July 23, the Helen Woodward Animal Center took in 45 beagles and asks the public’s help to support the beagles and other orphan pets that come into the facility. The HWAC posted a fundraiser with a goal of $25,000. The fundraiser is 35 percent away from its goal with $8,750 collected as of July 25.
The funds will support overall care before pets find their forever home, including the cost of supplies, food, checkups, and other necessities.
According to officials, the beagles will be up for adoption following a standard health and temperament check and a foster period. Once the animals undergo these steps and have been spayed and neutered, they will be ready for adoption.
“Everyone deserves a second chance at happily ever after, and these dogs deserve that and much more,” the animal center wrote on their website.
Anyone who would like to adopt or help out with the effort to rehabilitate the beagles at the Helen Woodward Animal Center can click here.
