When you meet Bogart, you meet a cool as a cucumber beagle living the lush life with a brother named Boots and humans who just can’t stop kissing him. He loves it; don’t let him tell you any different. He will work for treats, but anything else … well, he’ll think about it while he snoozes on his favorite blanket. On the couch, of course.
It’s hard to believe that Bogart had any other life before this one, but he did. His name was 5989418 and he was a laboratory research beagle. Bred specifically to be sold to a research lab, Bogart lived his entire life in a cage, never walking on grass, never feeling sunlight on his face, never experiencing the loving touch of a human companion.
Cosmetics, household cleaning products, human drugs, industrial chemicals and many other products are tested on animals. According to BeaglePro.com, the FDA requires such testing, but acknowledges that 92% of drugs that successfully pass via animal test then go on the fail or cause harm during human clinical trials. Beagles are considered “ideal” for these purposes because of their naturally docile nature.
In 2012, the Beagle Freedom Project (see article about BFP) rescued Bogart along with nine other beagles from a research facility. The dogs in Bogart’s rescue group had rotted teeth, wounds, and stitches all over their bodies. Animals are typically given to the rescue with no historical information on the type of testing they have endured, leaving only room to speculate what they endured living in the lab.
Kelly Selcer Phoundoulakis was volunteering for the Beagle Freedom Project when Bogart’s rescue mission took place and watched the dogs take their first steps out of their cages. “They go bananas! It is incredible to witness these dogs getting their first taste of freedom, acting silly, curious … it’s bittersweet, just amazing.” It wasn’t long before Kelly decided to adopt Bogart; she noticed that during her volunteer shifts, Bogart would watch her with his big eyes and start thumping his tail. “That did it, he won my heart.”
Bogart has his own Facebook page where he documents his new life (i.e., tons of adorable photos) and shares information about how to take action in your community. Learn more about the Beagle Freedom Project, make a donation, read stories of recovery, download the Cruelty Cutter App, or sign up to get involved at www.bfp.org.
So glad that his story has a happy ending! I am a regular donor to Beagle Freedom Project – a wonderful charity.
Great story of this sweet dog! I can’t believe that animals are being subjected to horrible testing in this day and agr when there are so many alternatives!! Great read! Thank goodness for Beagle Freedom Project saving Bogart!!
We have followed both Bogart & Boots for a few years now. Thanks for all you do for these poor soles. Being a beagle owner myself, I cannot believe that this type of thing still goes on in today’s world.