It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and there’s no better time to shine a light on the incredible people who make Beagle Freedom Project possible. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of everything we do—an inspiring community of compassionate, dedicated animal lovers who go above and beyond to help us fulfill our mission to end animal testing.
From driving rescue transports and providing hands-on care at Freedom Fields, to opening their homes to frightened, healing dogs—especially seniors experiencing kindness for the first time—our volunteers truly are lifesavers.
They bring hope where there was none, joy where there was pain, and remind every rescued animal that love still exists.
We’re endlessly grateful for their time, their hearts, and their unwavering commitment. This week, we’re honored to share a few stories and quotes from our volunteers—the everyday heroes who remind us what kindness in action looks like.
Nathan The CatLady
Nathan played a major role in transforming the shut-down Oklahoma testing facility into Freedom Fields Sanctuary. Not only did he help with construction, but he also enlisted his sponsors to donate $200,000 in supplies to support our survivors. Thanks to Nathan and Easy Pet Fence, we now have a dog park and catio where animal-testing survivors can finally experience freedom.
We even named our new Freedom Fields cat café after him—Nathan’s Cat Lady Lounge, where visitors can enjoy coffee and meet the adoptable cats who now roam free.
“After working there when the animals were in horrible conditions, having to see them every day… and then to go back now, and see them thriving gives me motivation for everything I do moving forward.”
Nicolle C.
Nicolle supports BFP by fostering, transporting, and volunteering at Freedom Fields. She even once spoke at a fundraising event—bringing her BFP dog, Charlie, to help advocate against animal testing.
Her favorite part of volunteering is: “Seeing the animals transform. It takes time—weeks, months, a year even—until they have really fully processed being free.”
On her first visit to Freedom Fields, Nicolle met a fearful dog named Loretta. By the end of the day, Loretta had won her over. Nicolle took her home as a foster, and she quickly became a foster fail. Now known as Luna, she’s thriving.
“She’s a completely different dog now and a reminder to not judge animals, nor people, by their cover or worst part of their story.<”
“Everyone is so genuine, kind, humble, compassionate, caring, funny, hardworking, and dedicated to stopping animal testing and improving animal welfare. From Shannon the founder, to Freedom Fields staff, to volunteers with transport—I’ve made amazing friends and I am so grateful to be a part of this entire community.”
Don B.
Don has helped tremendously with the transformation of Freedom Fields, transportation, and he’s even adopted a BFP beagle, Myma!
“The best part of volunteering with BFP was being able to take part in turning that barbaric testing facility into a caring and supportive facility for the inhumanly treated animals that endured pain there, and for future rescues to know the comforting touch of caring human beings.”
He also helped with the transportation of Ducky from Freedom Fields to her forever home in Tennessee!
“Ducky would not leave my side, and she snuggled hard that night in bed with me. I became very attached to her in that twenty four hours together, and I did not want to let her go, but I knew she was going to a good home. The drive home that last day was bittersweet.”
COOKIE’S JOURNEY
This month, one very special Freedom Fields dog embarked on a life-changing journey thanks to some of our extraordinary volunteers. Cookie, one of the last beagles from the testing facility that once stood where Freedom Fields is today, had endured a life of unimaginable suffering.
He spent years outside in freezing temperatures, confined by electric fencing with a frozen water bowl—or locked indoors in cramped cages awaiting painful experiments. For the past year, he found safety at Freedom Fields, patiently watching his fellow survivors get adopted one by one.
Finally, a previous BFP adopter from California applied to adopt him. Four incredible volunteers stepped up to transport Cookie 1,023 miles over 15 hours from Nowata, OK, to his new home in California.
Angela W.
A BFP volunteer for about a year, Angela works at Freedom Fields and helps with transportation.
“I was surprised (and heartbroken) at the deplorable conditions these lab animals are forced to live in and overjoyed at how Freedom Fields has transformed in such a short time.”
Angela began Cookie’s journey, driving him from Nowata to meet Kaylie in Oklahoma City.
“As we drove away, I glanced in the rearview… he was awake and sniffing the air. He finally rested his head on the side of his bed, his nose slightly wedged in between the bars of the wire kennel, and just looked at me. He seemed to want interaction. I ended up scooting his kennel closer to the front so I could talk to him, and he could touch my hand. He kept his nose resting through the bars for the rest of our journey and seemed to enjoy my conversation and occasional nose boops.”
Kaylie B.
Kaylie met Angela in Oklahoma City and then drove Cookie four hours to Amarillo, TX, where she handed him off to Roland. They gave Cookie a break outside before his next stretch, and Kaylie then returned home to Austin.
Roland P.
A six-year BFP volunteer, Roland has transported multiple beagles to their forever homes. In 2021, he drove Gibbs from El Paso to Albuquerque and was thrilled to help again—this time taking Cookie from Amarillo to his own home in New Mexico for an overnight stay.
“When it was time to sleep, Cookie hopped up on our bed as if that’s what he did every night. Unfortunately, it was my side of the bed, so I slept on another bed.”
Roland and his wife Peggy are long-time animal advocates. Peggy even donated $10,000 from her retirement fund to support our mission.
“We are so glad that BFP exists to rescue dogs from laboratory facilities and give them homes with people who will love them for the rest of their lives.”
The next day, Roland drove Cookie to Arizona to meet Lynn.
Lynn H.
Lynn, who has three beagles from BFP in her family, joined the transport when a second volunteer was needed for the final leg. Despite having houseguests, she offered to help if the trip could be pushed two days—and BFP made it happen.
Roland passed Cookie to Lynn in Albuquerque. She then drove him to Flagstaff to meet his new mom, Andee.
“He was a delightful companion, slept on his bed on my passenger seat so I could talk to him and rub his ears. I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful he was.”
Andee, who had driven all the way from Orange County, CA, to meet him, instantly fell in love.
“Some very happy tears were shed when I dropped him off. I told Andee if he didn’t work out, Roland or I would take him (may be a fist fight between us!) but she said that wasn’t going to happen. Oh well. Hooray for Cookie!”
THANK YOU to all of our volunteers. Donating your time changes lives, and we couldn’t be more grateful for you.