4,000 beagles rescued from Virginia breeding facility in need of new homes

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Thousands of beagles are being rescued from a dog breeding facility in Virginia, and they’re in need of new homes.

The Humane Society of the United States announced that approximately 4,000 beagles will be removed from Envigo, a medical contract breeding facility that has been accused of having unfit conditions.

Envigo’s facility in Cumberland, Virginia, was taken to court in 2021 after the USDA and other law enforcement agencies found multiple federal violations.

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In a filed complaint with the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia, adult and puppy beagles were said to be underfed, injured and sick. The dogs were reportedly kept in small spaces where feces piled up.

Homeward Trails, a Virginia-based animal shelter, rescued beagles from the Envigo breeding facility in Cumberland, Va. The beagles were bred for medical research purposes. (Sue Bell/Homeward Trails)

The complaint also alleged the dogs received inadequate medical care and were subject to painful medical science experiments. Court records stated that more than 300 puppies died at the facility between January and July of last year.

Fox News Digital reached out to Envigo for comment.

In June 2022, Envigo’s parent company, Inotiv, publicly announced it plans to shutter the facility.

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The Humane Society says it worked with the United States Department of Justice to develop a transfer plan that’ll move the remaining beagles to adoption facilities around the country.

The Humane Society of the United States is working with the Department of Justice and animal welfare partners, including Homeward Trails, to find the new homes for the rescued beagles. (Sue Bell/Homeward Trails)

"At this time, we are connecting with our shelter and rescue partners and preparing to take on the monumental process of securing placement for these dogs," the Humane Society wrote in a statement, on July 7.

"The transfer plan was jointly submitted to the Court for approval by Envigo, the Department of Justice and the Humane Society of the United States," the statement continued. "Now that the Court has approved the joint transfer plan, we and our partners are preparing to move quickly to place these beagles in loving homes."

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Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, a nonprofit animal welfare group in Fairfax Station, Virginia, is one local shelter that’s taking in some of the rescued beagles. 

The group previously rescued 475 beagles from the facility. 

A legal complaint filed against the Envigo breeding facility in Cumberland, Va. led to the freeing of approximately 4,000 beagles. (Sue Bell/Homeward Trails)

This time around, Homeward Trails will facilitate the transfer of another 1,500 beagles to partner organizations.

"We hope to start this process around July 19th," Homeward Trails' Executive Director Sue Bell wrote in an email to Fox News Digital. 

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A court order issued by Judge Norman K. Moon motioned for the government to step in and come up with a "plan for the expeditious removal of all dogs remaining at the Cumberland facility."

Envigo and the Department of Justice "have jointly submitted a mutually agreed transfer plan to the United States District Court in the Western District of Virginia," a spokesperson for Inotiv told Fox News Digital.

"The judge has approved such plan which will allow for the orderly transfer of canines to various adoption and sheltering agencies through a third-party organization," Inotiv’s statement continued. "We anticipate that this orderly process will be complete within approximately 60 days."

Beagles are a family-friendly dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club. (Sue Bell/Homeward Trails)

Beagles are a hound group dog that’s said to be "friendly," "curious" and "merry," according to the American Kennel Club.

The breed is a small one that can grow up to 15 inches in height and weigh up to 30 pounds. They have a 10- to 15-year life expectancy and tend to be affectionate with family and well-behaved with children and other dogs.

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Melissa McWilliams, the chief development direct of the Beagle Freedom Project – a nonprofit animal rescue organization headquartered in Valley Village, California, told Fox News Digital that the rescued beagles will require special care, much like other rescued lab animals.

"Even though these animals were liberated before they were sold to testing facilities, they still have trauma and behaviors that are foreign to many families opening up their homes to these animals," McWilliams said. "For these purpose-bred beagles, they have never received a kind touch, nutritious food or even a treat, had an opportunity to play, or know what grass feels like." 

She continued, "These beagles can be extremely fearful, especially in the first few weeks outside the breeding facility, which is overwhelming for many unprepared families because they require so much care and attention. Patience is the most important part of their healing process."

The rescued lab beagles will likely require special care. (Sue Bell/Homeward Trails)

McWilliams said potential foster and adoptive families will need to put in extra time for potty training, socializing (with humans and dogs), finding the right dog food, securing their home and staying up to date on veterinary care. 

Beagle Freedom Project has created a Care Guide for Envigo Beagles document that breaks down everything potential dog owners need to know about the special needs that lab dogs have. 

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You can reach out for more information on bfp.org.