Woof!

Kristen Alousia, Adopt-A-Dog kennel manager holds one of the beagles rescued from Aniclin testing facility.

What a wonderful liberation! On the fourth of July weekend, 120 beagles were rescued from a pharmaceutical testing facility, Aniclin Preclinical Service, in New Jersey, which had gone into bankruptcy.  Even better news is that Adopt-A-Dog has taken 10 of the beagles.

Kristen tends the beagles.

Kristen Alousia, Adopt-A-Dog’s kennel manager said that the plant went bankrupt in April, locking up the dogs, leaving them to die. Fortunately, she said, the caretakers from the plant scaled the fence and kept the dogs alive. Finally, she said, a judge ruled that the dogs would be handed over to animal rescuers.  Best Friends Society, in Kanab, Utah, Pets Alive Animals Sanctuary, of Middle town, N.Y. and Elmsford, N.Y,  and W.A.R. Win Animal Rescue worked together to get the dogs out of the plant.  When Allyson Halm, Adopt-A-Dog’s president, got the request for help from Best Friends, she immediately agreed to take 10 of the beagles.

Kirsten gets a wag.

Allyson Halm says "Aren't they wonderful?"

“It started with Best Friends,” said Halm.  “We had recently helped Best Friends with some puppy mill dogs in the mid-West and that went pretty smoothly.  I think that because we were close to New Jersey that we were one of the first groups they called to assist with the beagles.”

The dogs were bred in the facility.  “Everything is new to them,” Kristen said.  “They’ve never been outside; they’ve never seen another dog, or touched grass.   We are trying toys on them, but most of the dogs don’t seem to know what to do with them.”  Kristen was delighted when one beagle tried out a ball.

The first ball.

Allyson said that beagles were used to test fentanyl patches.  The  patches were placed on them, then blood was drawn to see how much of the drug was absorbed.  “We didn’t see any problems with their health, the dogs are happy, ” she said.  “They  all have wonderful temperaments, ” added Allyson, “Some are a bit more timid, others are more outgoing.  On the whole, they are a very sweet group of dogs.”

Irresistible.

Quincy

“This is Quincy,” said Kristen.  “We decided to try something patriotic for the Fourth of July.  This one was named after the president Quincy Adams.” The crew at Adopt-A-Dog gave the dogs American names:  Eleanor (Roosevelt), Liberty Bell, Quincy, Betsy (Ross), Inde (for Independence), Gover (Cleveland), Clara (Clara Barton) Louisa (Louisa May Alcott), Georgia (George Washington) and Star. There must have been quite a celebration at the shelter that day!

“This is the ultimate rescue, ” Allyson said.  “This is when you really feel that you’ve done something that is for the greater cause.  These 120 dogs were confined all their lives, and we were able to help on the spot. That was very rewarding.”

Finding a new home, making a new life.

Kirsten Alousia and Allyson Halm with 3 of the of the beagles.

Adopt-A-Dog is starting to accept applications, see their web site. (see above)

This video below was made by Pets Alive.  It is terrific.