As I sit at my desk and write this, I am stunned that it has been FOUR YEARS since Beagle Freedom Project was formed. BFP was spawned by our first rescue on December 23, 2010 (video below). Little did I know what I was in for when I answered the call to take these two beautiful beagle boys who had spent their lives inside a laboratory and never been outside. Mentally I thought I was prepared: I knew they might be scared. I knew they had been through things I could not even imagine, and things I did not want to know. But I was also excited. Never did I think I would have the opportunity to save animals who had been used as the subjects of “experimentation” and “testing. My former years as a street activist and animal rights attorney, I thought, had prepared me for this. I protested in front of facilities that kept these animals imprisoned, I got arrested for them, I represented them in court, I knew what to expect…. or so I thought. The fact is, nothing could have prepared me for meeting these little survivors in person; the fear in their eyes, the blank stares, the detachment, the shaking, the salivating, the sheer mortification. I was instantly hit with a blow to my body, my head, my heart, my entire being was pummeled in grave despair, disbelief and sorrow. I wanted desperately to be thrilled that we were accomplishing this liberation, but my being would not allow it. I felt the pain of these beagles, later to be named Freedom & Bigsby. Since that chilly, sunny day, in Northern California on Thursday, December 23rd, 2010, we have been able to rescue HUNDREDS of beagles just like Freedom & Bigsby. And, not only have we had the fortune to be able to liberate these gorgeous, sweet beagles, but we have had the honor of rescuing countless other dogs of mixed origin, as well as cats, horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and even fish – all from a life of being a test subject inside a laboratory. Who would have thought….? And while I see and feel the tangible success of what we have accomplished, I cannot help but think of the others… the THOUSANDS of other lives we are not able to save. The Freedom’s & Bigsby’s still locked inside horrific places only to have horrific things done to them, who await freedom. While I think of these innocent souls with tears in my eyes, in my being, I KNOW, the ultimate day will come and we will be able to set them free. Every year, Beagle Freedom Project saves more lives and accomplishes more positive change for animals in labs. It is literally only a matter of time until we accomplish our ultimate goal: an end to animals in labs once and for all! I can see the cage doors opening, and I can feel their breath on my shoulder as I, and all of you, carry them to freedom. My wish for 2015 is to get that one, two, three, ten steps closer to our ultimate goal. I know we will, because we wont give up on them and neither will you. Thank you for FOUR YEARS of amazing support! Have the Happiest of Holidays! Shannon Keith President & Founder, ARME’s Beagle Freedom Project beaglefreedomproject.org
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:42:38 +0000
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