MONMOUTH COUNTY – The Monmouth County SPCA has taken in five beagles who were rescued from a mass-breeding facility due to issues concerning the animals’ welfare.
The Humane Society of the United States removed about 4,000 beagles housed at an Envigo RMS LLC facility in Cumberland, Virginia. The facility was breeding dogs and selling them to laboratories for animal experimentation.
According to the MCSPCA, the Department of Justice and Envigo RMS LLC submitted a transfer plan in agreement with the Humane Society of the United States to assume the responsibility of coordinating placement. Over the next 60 days, transfers will follow in stages and the dogs will be available for adoption through the Monmouth County SPCA and other shelters and rescues.
“While we were not able to take many beagles due to the fact that, like many shelters, the MCSPCA is at near capacity, we are proud to be a small part of this heroic rescue,” MCSPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra said. “It is remarkable to see the effect that human kindness has on these terrified puppies and we look forward to finding them loving homes.”
Currently, five male puppies will go through medical and behavioral assessment at the MCSPCA. They plan to choose suitable adoption candidates from a lottery system due to the large amount of interest from the public.
Back in May, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Envigo, alleging Animal Welfare Act violations at the facility. After several federal inspections, officials found dozens of violations including: findings that some dogs had been “euthanized” without first receiving anesthesia, that dogs had received inadequate veterinary care and insufficient food, and that they were living in unsanitary conditions.
“It takes a massive network of compassionate, expert shelters and rescues to make an operation of this scale possible,” said Lindsay Hamrick, shelter outreach and engagement director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are deeply grateful to each organization that is stepping up to find these dogs the loving homes they so deserve.”
