RESEARCH FACILITY?
Re-Homing?A Different Kind of Rescue Organization
We understand why releasing animals from research requires trust. We work collaboratively, discreetly, and professionally with research and teaching facilities to create safe pathways for eligible animals to move from science into loving homes or appropriate sanctuary.
No shame. No protests. No publicity at your expense. Just a commitment to the animals and to doing this well.
We believe you care deeply about what happens to the animals.
You Can Trust Us with Your Animals, Your People, and Your Confidentiality.
We Are Independent
The Beagle Alliance is an independent Canadian organization.
We are not affiliated with any other rescue or advocacy organization.
Our partnerships are built around the needs of the animals and the circumstances of each release.
We are also experienced in working with organizations and individuals in the animal research community and understand the importance of discretion, professionalism, and trust. It is our goal to work with and not against, in collaboration with facilities and regulatory bodies.
PHOTO CREDIT: Artem Beliaikin
Your Research Facility?
We Make the Safety of the Animals and Animal Care Workers a Priority
Your Animals
We specialize in helping former research animals transition from scientific environments into loving homes.
Our foster and adopter network is carefully screened, trained, and supported. We understand that every animal’s transition is different, and we provide the veterinary, behavioural, and ongoing support needed to help them thrive.
Our goal is simple: to give eligible animals a great life after science.
And we have done that.
150+ former research beagles placed in loving homes across Canada.
Your People
We don’t shame. We don’t protest. We don’t attack researchers, scientists, veterinarians, animal care workers, or facilities.
We recognize that people have different perspectives and professional responsibilities, and we respect those who have been trained to advance human and animal health through the work they do.
We believe collaboration is possible even when perspectives differ.
PHOTO CREDIT: Artem Beliaikin
Services
How We Assist
Discretion
We are 100% committed to protecting your confidentiality.
We do not disclose the facilities we work with, and when confidentiality is a factor, we may not disclose our rescue partners either.
We are prepared to enter into a signed confidentiality agreement with your facility covering identifying information, including your organization, location, personnel, research, and other confidential details.
However, should your institution choose to publicly share that you are offering animals a life after research, The Beagle Alliance can also help you tell that story.
At your comfort level, we can share photos and updates of animals thriving in their new homes, while working with your institution to help demonstrate the positive impact of a commitment to rehoming. Together, we can help change the narrative, both publicly and within the research community, by showing what happens when animals are given a future after research.
You remain in control of what is shared and how much is disclosed.
Our goal is to give the animal a future, not to expose its past.
Transportation
We arrange it. We pay for it.
We coordinate and cover transportation from your facility or another mutually agreed-upon location.
Our team can manage the logistics across Canada so that transportation does not become a barrier to release.
No Financial Burden
There is no cost to your facility.
We cover the costs associated with the animals’ transition, including transportation, supplies, and veterinary care when needed.
Community
We have a large network of fully screened foster and adoptive homes across Canada.
Whether you are releasing one animal or many, we can work with you to develop an appropriate placement plan.
Our caregivers are prepared for the unique needs of animals transitioning out of scientific environments and receive ongoing support from our team.
Could Rehoming Be an Option for Your Animals?
The CCAC’s guidance on outcomes for animals at the end of scientific activities recognizes rehoming as an option for eligible animals, including moving healthy animals used in science to a non-scientific environment such as a private residence or animal sanctuary.
If your facility is considering rehoming eligible animals, we would welcome the opportunity to have a confidential conversation.
You do not need to have everything figured out before contacting us.
We can talk about the animals, your requirements, timing, transportation, confidentiality, veterinary information, and what a transition could look like.
There is no obligation.
There is simply an opportunity to explore whether Lab to Love could be the right next step.
Let’s work together on what comes next.
The Retirement Option Can Benefit People Too
We have developed relationships with people within the animal research community and have seen firsthand that many become supporters of the retirement option.
For those who have cared for an animal during its time in a facility, knowing that the animal can go on to live a life on its own terms can be meaningful.
The release of eligible animals into the care of an experienced organization and a loving family may also provide an alternative to other end-of-study outcomes for researchers and animal care workers who would prefer to see the animals they have cared for transition into homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Re-Homing FAQ
Do you only take young or adult animals?
No. We welcome eligible animals of all ages, including seniors. We have foster and adoptive homes ready to give older animals the opportunity to enjoy life after science.
Can you take animals with medical, special, or behavioural needs?
Yes. We are happy to discuss animals with medical or behavioural needs, regardless of age, and assess how we can best support their transition.
Do you only take dogs?
Our primary focus is placing former research dogs into forever homes. However, if you have another species ready for release, please contact us. We will do our best to help or explore appropriate placement options.
Do you only take beagles?
No. While beagles are a significant part of our work, we are able to help dogs of any breed.
Are animals seen by a veterinarian before adoption?
Yes. All animals receive at least one veterinary wellness assessment and any necessary treatment or surgery before adoption.
Will all released animals be posted on your website or social media?
Not necessarily. While we often share the stories of former research animals, we make exceptions whenever confidentiality is required, for example tattoos or any identifiable markings.
What if we do not want the animals shared on social media?
We can accommodate that request. We do not disclose the name or location of facilities we work with unless agreed upon by the facility should they want to promote their rehoming process, if required, we can agree not to share the animals publicly at all. We are also prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement.
What is your adoption process?
Our screening process includes an in-depth application, interviews, home checks, reference checks, and signed agreements, including a non-disclosure agreement, if necessary, to help ensure each animal is placed in an appropriate home.
For more information about our foster and adoption process, please visit our Foster & Adopt page.
How long does an animal stay in foster care?
There is no strict timeline. We ask foster families to commit to at least four weeks, allowing the animal time to decompress, adjust to life outside the facility, and begin preparing for their permanent home.
Can laboratory animals really be successfully re-homed?
Yes. Absolutely.
We have years of experience and more than 150 former research beagles successfully placed in loving homes. These animals can adapt to life outside a scientific environment and go on to live happy, healthy lives.
How do we contact you about releasing animals?
We welcome confidential inquiries from research and teaching facilities.
PLEASE NOTE: for your peace of mind, you may contact us anonymously.
We Support the Future of Science
The Beagle Alliance believes that supporting animals and supporting scientific progress do not have to be opposing ideas.
We advocate for the continued development and adoption of non-animal research methods and human-relevant technologies because we believe Canada should remain open to where science is going next.
We are not scientists ourselves. But through our work, including our involvement with The New Gold Standard, we have seen the extraordinary potential of emerging approaches that use human biology, advanced technology, and innovative methods to help researchers better understand disease and develop new treatments.
The future of science is not simply a question of whether we care about animals or people.
We care about both.
And while animals remain involved in scientific research today, we believe eligible animals should be given the opportunity to enjoy a good life when their scientific involvement has ended.
These ideas are not in conflict.
We can support the advancement of better science while also creating better outcomes for the animals who have served in it.
That is the future we hope to help build, one where innovation, compassion, and collaboration can move forward together.
Join the TBA Community!
PHOTO CREDIT: Artem Beliaikin