Achi news desk-
Ten hooks rescued from animal testing in the United States arrived in Alberta on Wednesday, thanks to a Canadian charity.
The Beagle Alliance, based in Winnipeg, is an organization that helps advocate for the release of animals used in laboratory research across North America.
Beagles are the dog breed most commonly used in testing facilities around the world due to their forgiving nature, wise behavior and ability to fit easily in a cage.
Executive director Lori Cohen says the charity is now looking to place some of the recently rescued beagles in loving homes, while others are already being talked about.
“These dogs have never felt the sun on their noses or the grass under their paws,” he said. “It’s a special moment to see their first steps.”
“We have crossed many borders to get these little guys to freedom, and they are going to meet their new homes or new families moving forward.”
Keoma Thorne, who fosters one of the rescued beagles, says many people are surprised to hear that animal testing is still happening in Canada.
“Whenever I talk to people about it, they’re shocked,” Thorne said.
If it’s not something you support, she says one of the best ways consumers can help is by supporting cruelty-free companies.
“Look at your labels, make sure you’re not contributing to the problem that way, because if you demand cruelty-free products, then companies will start looking for other methods of testing.”
In 2022, the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) reported that more than 10,000 dogs were used in testing in Canada.
The exact fate of animals following testing is unknown, but out of the 10,000 dogs, around 6,000 were used in education programs such as veterinary schools or animal care.
In some cases, the unfortunate outcome of those tests ends with the euthanization of the animals.
Cohen notes that Canadian facilities, both public and private, are not bound by law to release animals after being used in science, and there is no federal governing body that oversees the treatment of animals in Canada.
“They suffer from PTSD and anxiety, but because of their resilience and ability to forgive, they become the most loving companions and family members,” Cohen said.
“We intend to prove to the CCAC, the voluntary regulatory body that oversees animals in science in Canada, as well as the facilities themselves, that these dogs, with experience, education, patience and support, can go on to live more years outside the field. cage than inside.”
Ten hooks rescued from animal testing in the United States arrived in Alberta on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. In June 2023, the Canadian federal government passed Bill S-5, the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which will end toxicity testing on animals by 2035.
CCAC executive director Pierre Verreault applauds the decision.
“I think this is a big step forward,” he said. “Other countries have been moving forward on this for a few years, so we are pleased to see our country moving in the same direction.”
Under the Constitution Act of 1867, the federal government currently has no jurisdiction to legislate experiments involving animals.
Legislation falls to states instead, but ethical and humane CCAC certification has been a federal condition since 1968, requiring all organizations receiving funding from federal grant programs to prevent abuse, neglect and cruelty of any kind during tests.
“Most of the states will have cruelty laws, the same at the federal level as well, but in terms of science, it’s a very different way of looking at the ethical framework around it,” said Verrault.
“The CCAC program that is in place makes sure that the organizations that use animals in testing do so according to the standards we are developing.”
The name of the American research laboratory from which the beagles were recently rescued cannot be named, but The Beagles Alliance was able to transport them safely to Canada with proper rabies vaccination and health certificates as required by Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Anyone interested in volunteering, fostering, adopting or donating to The Beagle Alliance van visit the charity’s website or call 1-204-266-1968.
