4000 Beagles Rescued From Envigo’s Virginia Hell Hole

A “beagle breeding facility” in Virginia has been shut down, following two years of failed inspections that revealed horrifying living conditions. 

Inspections of the Cumberland, Va. facility run by the company Envigo, uncovered dozens of violations of federal regulations and revealed heart-wrenching cases of underfed, sick, injured and – in some cases dead – beagles. Last week a federal judge declared that some 4000 dogs are now up for adoption, giving authorities 60 days to move the beagles to safe havens.

Political pressure to close down the facility largely came from Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, as well as Republican state senator Bill Stanley. Warner and Kaine issued a joint press release on the ruling: 

“After months of advocacy, we’re heartened to know that nearly 4,000 Envigo dogs will be spared a lifetime of suffering and will instead head to loving homes. We’re also pleased to know that Inotiv – Envigo’s parent company – will shutter its Cumberland facility and that no more dogs will be subject to the appalling conditions and inexcusable distress endured by so many dogs and puppies at the facility.”

Stanley, sometimes called “Senator Beagle” by his colleagues, adopted two beagles after seeing the inhumane conditions with his own eyes. (He named his new dogs Dixie and Daisy.) Anyone interested in adopting a doggo can arrange it by calling Senator Beagle’s office at (804) 698-7520.

You can also adopt a rescued beagle or donate to the cause through the Beagle Freedom Project at bfp.org/ocnn.

Photo credit: Sue Bell / Homeward Trails