Hazel is one of more than 400 beagles released from a breeding facility in Virginia last week. About 4,000 in total are expected to be released to shelters, rescues, foster owners and foster families over the next two months. The massive rescue comes after United States authorities filed a complaint in federal court in May after inspections of the Envigo breeding and research facility in Cumberland, Va., over the past two years revealed several violations of federal regulations. Officials found the greyhounds starving, sick, abused and, in some cases, dead. Many of the animals in the breeding business were expected to be used in research and testing. After inspections and calls from lawmakers, a federal judge approved a plan this month to save the greyhounds. This mobilized several rescue organizations, dozens of volunteers and hundreds of would-be owners who wanted to help. Hazel took her first walk Tuesday under the care of Nikki Bunce, a first-time foster owner of the dog and her five puppies in West Bend, Wis. She said Hazel had warmed to embracing movie nights. “It’s so exciting to be able to be her first in everything,” Mrs Bunce said. The work to rescue, treat and relocate the dogs was a huge undertaking that required the help of vets, volunteers, handlers and dog lovers. Envigo, a research organization acquired last year by Inotiv that works with the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, said on its website that it breeds “healthy, well-socialized animals.” On July 21, the Humane Society of the United States took 201 greyhounds, among the first to leave Envigo, to a center in Maryland, and about 230 other dogs went directly to rescue partners. Workers in personal protective equipment removed the dogs from trucks and inspected them before taking them to the rehabilitation center. The dogs were previously identified using tattoos on the inside of their ears, the way the breeding company had tagged them. One puppy had the letters ‘ONE CJE’ on the inside of his left ear. Their foster and adoptive families are now naming them for the first time beyond these codes. Before the court intervened, some of the dogs were likely destined to end up in testing facilities and die, said Kitty Block, CEO and president of the Humane Society. “They deserve to be on sofas, on dog walks with you in the park,” Ms Block said. Lindsay Hamrick, the Humane Society’s shelter director, said pregnant dogs, nursing litters and dogs in need of medical attention are prioritized for new homes. Those who have been rescued will undergo additional veterinary examinations and have documents prepared so that they can be adopted across the country. The Humane Society said it planned to help rescue about 300 to 500 greyhounds a week until they were all settled. After a few weeks of a normal, healthy routine, most dogs adjust well to new homes, Ms. Hamrick said. But in some cases, dogs can take years to adjust to “normal life,” he said. “Everything from the feel of the grass to watching the cars go by will all be a brand new experience for them,” Ms Hamrick said. Of a group of 62 greyhounds in Wisconsin, the nine mothers, who grew to adulthood in Envigo facilities with little human interaction or play, were shy, said Angela Speed, vice president of communications for the state’s Humane Society. Two drivers transported the greyhounds in large pickup trucks — nine moms and their 53 puppies — from Maryland to Wisconsin, where 15 staff members and volunteers in Milwaukee picked them up and prepared them to go to foster homes in the evening. “Their lives have completely changed,” Ms Speed said. “Animal lovers are stepping up to help, and that’s what makes it possible.” A separate effort in Massachusetts required two large vehicles, more than 20 hours on the road and three drivers to transport 75 greyhounds to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Massachusetts, said Mike Keiley, the organization’s executive director. Of those, 20 went to the Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the remaining 55 are in the shelter’s care. “We jumped at the chance to help with such a historic and meaningful cause which, in my opinion, really shines an important spotlight on a dark corner of animal welfare,” Mr Keiley said. Apart from natural disasters that have displaced some dogs, Mr Keiley, who is also the adoption coordinator for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the rescue of 4,000 greyhounds was the largest he had been involved in or had heard. The shelter said 800 people have reached out to inquire about adopting a member of that batch of puppies, all eight to 12 weeks old, or any additional they will take in in the future. “You would expect them to be afraid of people, distrustful and really traumatised,” Mr Keiley said of the puppies. But that hasn’t happened. “I’m really impressed with how resilient animals come out of some of the worst situations you could imagine,” he said. Greyhounds must undergo state-specific medical care and vaccinations. In Massachusetts, that includes a quarantine period, PPE for caregivers, vaccinations, microchipping, parasite treatment and spaying or neutering, said Karina King, director of operations at the Dakin Humane Society. So far, many of the society’s 20 greyhounds have diarrhea and one will have its eye surgically removed, Ms King said. The shelter will take care of many medical needs before the dogs are adopted, and anyone with problems will go to fosters until they can recover. Ms King said interest in greyhounds was high at a time when animal shelters across the country were under strain. Her shelter fielded requests from Texans and Florida residents willing to drive to Massachusetts for a greyhound, even though there are dogs ready for adoption in those states. “If the story of these dogs touches your heart, it’s great if you can get one,” Ms King said. “But if you’re not, there are so many other dogs that need your help.” Nellie (named because she is a “nervous Nellie”) was originally fostered through Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Virginia and adopted within 24 hours by Lauren and Trevor Kellogg in Washington, D.C. Both had done anti-testing advocacy work in animals and Envigo, Mrs. Kellogg said. Nellie, 2 years and 8 months, was joined by almost 4-year-old Beesly, another beagle rescued from animal experiments, who was also timid and reserved when adopted two and a half years ago. Ms Kellogg said she worked for a pharmaceutical company and adopted Beesly after the dog was part of an experiment her company was running. After their release, the 21 dogs placed in the care of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Virginia had a “spa day,” said Sue Bell, the executive director. For the first time, they could run around a sunny yard to dry off after a bath. “Before, when we were getting dogs, I would look the greyhounds in their outdoor kennels in row after row in the eye and have to apologize to them,” Ms Bell said. “This time, I was able to look all these dogs in the eye and tell them we’re coming back for them.”
