LINCOLNTON, N.C. (WBTV) – Several animals got a real taste of freedom recently after a life behind the bars of animal testing labs. The animals were brought across the border from Mexico on Friday by the Beagle Freedom Project. The rescue group for former research animals brought them to a farm sanctuary in Lincolnton. The four dogs, five rabbits and two mice are now beginning a brand new life. “When dogs touch grass for the first time, it’s an incredible experience,” said April Arrington of the Beagle Freedom Project. “These…
Category: In The Press
California’s canine blood banks harvest from caged dogs and operate in secrecy
When Robyn Black rushed her beloved corgi Winston to a veterinary hospital in Sacramento, she told the staff to do whatever it took to heal her pup as an autoimmune disease threatened his life. Winston needed several blood transfusions, but after two days of treatment, the veterinary hospital ran out of the canine lifeline. Pet hospitals often are short on dog blood amid a national shortage that lawmakers say is further exacerbated in California by the state’s restrictive laws that require veterinarians to buy dog blood solely from two blood…
What it's like to run an animal rescue!
It’s hard to image, but there are lots of animals in the world who aren’t treated as nicely as they should be. Luckily there are people like Shannon Keith, who’s the founder and president of an animal rescue organization called Beagle Freedom Project. “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to help animas, so I started my non-profit in 2004 to rescue animals from all kinds of abusive situations and help them find good homes,” Shannon explains. Keep reading to find out more about her amazing animal job!…
NC bill would create online registry for convicted animal abusers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) – A new bipartisan proposal would create a publicly available online registry of convicted animal abusers, with increased penalties for those with multiple convictions, similar to the sex offender registry. “I think it’s absolutely imperative we do everything we can to stop animal abuse,” said McKissick. Senate Bill 423 was filed in March 2019 with Senators Floyd McKissick Jr. and Britt being the primary sponsors. “We need to be concerned about that because often times, these people who abuse animals would engage in conduct that…
Tech helping support vegan living
Just a fraction of Americans claim to be vegan but sales of plant-based products are seeing a healthy boost. Endorsements from high profile celebrities like Beyonce and Brad Pitt have helped but technology is also feeding this growth. William Denselow is in New York with a look at how tech is transforming vegan living into big business. Original Article: FSNLiveDC
Battle over ‘blood slave’ donor dogs in California pits veterinarians vs. veterinarians
Professors from premier veterinary school urge lawmakers to ditch captive-donor colonies, which critics dub ‘blood slaves’ In a blood fight that pits veterinarian against veterinarian, scores of vets are urging the Legislature to follow the lead of other states and outlaw “closed-colony” animal blood banks in California by 2022. “The current situation in California is egregiously unbalanced,” says the letter. “Hundreds of dogs — including many who have already endured months or years of suffering in the greyhound racing industry — are kept confined for months or years in situations…
Elkhart woman shares story of adopting dog rescued from testing facility
ELKHART, Ind. (WNDU) – “It’s a bad, bad situation for these animals, and they’re our fur babies,” said Cim Powell, a dog owner from Elkhart. Powell adopted her dog, Baylee, six years ago after the pup was rescued from an animal testing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. “It’s a very emotional thing when you see it for the first time, because these dogs don’t see grass, they don’t know what human love is,” she said. Seven beagles in all were saved during that trip thanks to the California-based nonprofit Rescue and…
Dogs Escape Overseas Meat Trade, Come To Chicago
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Three Labrador retrievers were expected to arrive at O’Hare Airport Tuesday night after being rescued from a dog meat breeder in China. The Los Angeles-based non-profit Rescue + Freedom Project saved the dogs from being sold to restaurants. Shannon Keith, president and founder of the group, told WBBM that it’s “shocking” that this type of thing still goes on. Most Chinese people are against using dogs for food, but activists are afraid they’ll be harmed if they interfere, she said. The three dogs bound for Chicago…
Santa Monica Lawmaker Introduces Bill Lifting Restrictions on Animal Blood Banks
February 6, 2019 — Under a bill proposed by Santa Monica Assemblymember Richard Bloom, animal blood banks would no longer have to rely on confined dogs and cats. Assembly Bill 366, introduced by Bloom on Monday, would allow the banks in California to use a donor blood collection system, instead of collecting blood exclusively from “closed colonies.” The colonies confine donor animals “to cages and kennels for months or years,” according to Bloom’s staff. “California’s pet blood banking system is outdated and inhumane,” Bloom said. “This bill balances animal welfare…
Santa Monica Assemblymember Bloom introduces AB366 to modernize animal blood banking in CA
Santa Monica Assemblymember Richard Bloom introduced Assembly Bill 366 on Monday, also known as the California Pet Blood Bank Modernization Act, which is aimed at allowing animal blood banks in California to utilize a more humane donor blood collection system for dogs and cats. Did you know that existing California law requires animal blood banks to collect blood exclusively from ‘closed colonies’ – which confines donor animals to cages and kennels for months or even years. While other states allow blood banks to collect animal blood in a voluntary setting.…
Share Your Pet's Story & Help Animals in Need
Rescue + Freedom Project’s #RescueLifestyle campaign! The organization is urging supporters to share their animal’s rescue stories in order to promote adopting instead of purchasing from puppy mills and pet stores. Animal lovers are asked to upload a 30-second video to their Instagram or Twitter account featuring their pet’s story of survival followed by their animal’s favorite thing to do now that they are free. All participants are asked to tag @RescueFreedomProject, #RescueLifestyle & mention 3 friends to help spread the message or donate $3 to help fund R +…
From the Meat Trade to Loving Homes
Four lucky pups arrived in Los Angeles last week, rescued from the horrific South Korean meat trade. Getting dogs out of the most dangerous circumstances is the main mission of Shannon Keith, founder of Rescue + Freedom Project. For about a year now, she and her organization have been focused on getting dogs out of China and Korea, where the dog meat trade is thriving. It’s hard for Westerners to imagine, but in certain Eastern communities, dog meat is highly valued and is often traded and served in a sort…