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When a New Jersey research lab went bankrupt recently, it locked its doors and left everything—and everyone—inside, including 120 beagles and 55 primates.
So when some of the animals' previous caretakers called Pets Alive Sanctuary and Best Friends Animal Society for help after scaling the fences to get the animals out, the groups responded.
After fighting a motion in court by the previous owner to prevent the rescuers from giving the animals away for "free" and to instead sell them to another lab, the groups were able to take them in. They set up an area to introduce the beagles to their new surroundings and to socialize them with each other, and medical care will be provided before they are put up for adoption in the search for more permanent homes.
The dogs ranged from two to five years old and were used, as beagles frequently are, in medical experiments because they have few genetic health problems and because they are gentle and personable. The primates, meanwhile, have been sent to a simian rescue organization.
Best Friends describes the transition for the beagles:
The beagles were formerly living in a research lab, where Liberty was one of many who had never known the love of a family. She had never even known the companionship of other dogs - which was odd, since she lived near over a hundred other dogs. She had never even had the feeling of grass beneath her paws.
While freedom is great news for the beagles, it also means they need new permanent homes. Anyone interested in adopting or making a donation to help the dogs should check in with Best Friends or Pets Alive.
Watch a little of the beagles' arrival at their new home:
