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Comment by Sam, Gregg & Poopdeck on December 6, 2011 at 10:21pm

I grew up on a farm and can't even imagine a pup kept in a cage all it's life!  I had a real problem coming to grips with crate training, but I have gotten over it.  Growing up, our dogs were always more out than in; they ruled.

Comment by Jackie (Lilu & Loki) on December 4, 2011 at 8:11pm

Legality and morality don't always go hand in hand. "Rescue" is really about getting an animal away from a dangerous or inhumane situation and finding a good home for it then just stopping something that's illegal. Animal abuse/cruelty is certainly illegal so the police can "rescue" a dog from an abusive home if it's called in, but rescue organizations are more about taking dogs that might be strays or in situations like a lab or a puppy mill (which are legal) where they may not get the kind of environment they need and placing them in homes where they can get the attention, love and exercise they need and deserve.

Comment by Sam, Gregg & Poopdeck on December 4, 2011 at 8:46am

Just one more question and forgive my ignorance but if this is legal why is it considered a Rescue?

Comment by Jackie (Lilu & Loki) on December 4, 2011 at 12:35am

Beth,

I understand that with current medical/scientific research, animal testing is a "necessary evil." And having some experience with science, I also understand the need to control as much about an experiment as possible. Of course, there would be a lot more outrage if laboratory testing were conducted on humans in this manner. (Though I am glad to here there are at least some rules about exercise and contact.) People can volunteer, but dogs certainly don't get an option. I would love it if some day science could advance to the point where animal testing is not longer needed - but that's a whole other conversation. For now, I just thought it was amazing to see these beagles get a second chance to be free and live happy lives.

Apparently this kind of thing happens a lot more often with "puppy mills" - which is just horrible. There is definitely no excuse to cage up poor animals for no other purpose than to sell them for a profit.

Comment by Kara with Dasiy & Scout on December 3, 2011 at 9:26pm

I should have read the comments first so I could have a tissue ready. THANKS for sharing!

Comment by Zigward & Kimberly on December 3, 2011 at 8:18pm

This is so happy. And so sad.

I wish all the animals could be set free. I don't believe that if something isn't safe to test on a human, then it isn't safe to test on animals. And, we are all just souls in bodies, so why do we get to do this to other living creatures, because it's cheap? Because we can communicate and have better thumbs? 

Don't get me wrong.. I get why we do it. I understand it. I just wish that it was carried out differently. Not on animals, who can't defend themselves, or say no.

Comment by Jane Christensen on December 3, 2011 at 8:17pm

So happy for these guys:) I can imagine since I've had puppy mill rescues but to never see sunshine?  The tears just kept flowing!

Comment by Beth on December 3, 2011 at 7:40pm

Jackie, I am sorry if I got off-track and took away from your video.... I am so thankful for the lab beagle rescue groups and the wonderful job they do acclimating these dogs to normal household lives and finding them good homes.  My grandfather always had beagles when I was a kid and I just think they are probably the sweetest dogs out there. 

Comment by Beth on December 3, 2011 at 6:58pm

By the way, beagles are often used because of their size, friendliness, and the fact that they don't tend to get stressed living with large numbers of other dogs around. 

Comment by Beth on December 3, 2011 at 6:53pm

Sam Gregg, and Poopdeck:  I know it's sad to think about those poor beagles never seeing grass.  My (limited) understanding is that for research into certain medical treatments, vaccines, etc they have to make absolutely sure that all the dogs are exposed to the exact same things or they can't ensure that something in the environment caused any variation in test results.  Dogs let outside into the grass could be exposed to viruses or bacteria that would render test results useless.  Again, it is sad.  It makes me very sad.  On the other hand, for much of medical research at the present time the alternative is to use vaccines and medicines on humans and pets that haven't been rigorously tested, and that's probably not great either.

One day, genetic research might advance to the point that we don't need animal testing.  That will be a happy day indeed.  My source inside a lab tells me that some dogs are only there a short time and then sent into pet homes.  Others are there longer, and others sadly  have to be euthanized, depending on the nature of the research.

We have come a very long way in the humanity of how many (not all) lab animals are treated, and personally I feel that's a little something to be grateful for.

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