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Hi everyone! I am Lori Cohen, Founder and Executive Director of The Beagle Alliance. This is an important moment for animal welfare in Canada.
Just yesterday, St. Joseph’s Healthcare London announced they’ll be ending the testing on dogs—a huge step forward.
The Beagle Alliance reached out to St. Joseph’s and received a positive reply. Ideally the dogs will be released into our care.
The Beagle Alliance is a CRA Registered Charity dedicated to placing former research dogs into loving homes. Its rescue work focuses on giving these dogs a second chance at life, helping them transition from a life of testing to one filled with love and care in happy homes.
Founded by Lori Cohen, the organization’s mission is simple but powerful:
“We really work together to make sure that our fosters and the dogs are supported while being in a loving home.”
This team isn't just passionate; they’re highly educated, trained in the unique needs of former research beagles. These dogs experience PTSD and anxiety, and require special care which The Beagle Alliance is equipped to offer.
Expert Coaching: Fosters receive training to handle trauma, anxiety, and behavior challenges.
Educated Fosters: Volunteers are prepared and committed.
Long-Term Wellness: From rehab therapy to lots of cuddles, dogs get a plan that’s about lasting happiness.
Former research dogs have lived a different kind of life. Many experience:
PTSD
Extreme Anxiety
Fear of New Environments
The Beagle Alliance made it clear to St. Joseph’s that these dogs need specialized care.
1. Expert Coaching
Foster families aren’t just animal lovers—they receive hands-on guidance from experts in canine trauma.
2. Support Network
The Alliance provides ongoing support, so foster homes never feel alone. Every concern, every challenge gets attention.
3. Trauma-Informed Practices
From calm spaces to gentle introductions, the approach is always understanding and patient.
4. Continued Education
Fosters are empowered with information and strategies to handle anxiety or PTSD symptoms.
One of the greatest strengths of The Beagle Alliance is the community they've built. As Lori Cohen says, fosters are “ready and very much looking forward to seeing the release of these dogs.”
Patience: Lab dogs need time to adjust.
Empathy: Understanding that dogs may have triggers.
Preparedness: Trained through the Alliance's programs.
Commitment: Willingness to work with dogs as long as needed.
If you’re interested in becoming a foster, you’re encouraged to apply through their website—these dogs need you!
“We can't do it without you fosters and adopters.”
Lori Cohen takes a moment to thank Animal Justice—a legal advocacy group—for their hard work:
“Thank you, Animal Justice, for the absolutely amazing and diligent hard work that they've done to bring this story to light.”
Animal Justice has worked diligently to expose the issue, helping guide public attention and policy change in Canada. It’s their persistent efforts that made it impossible to ignore what was going on behind closed doors, shining a light for decision-makers and the public.
When we talk about testing on dogs, the response from the public is different. Lori Cohen understands this, pointing out:
“Not to take away from the millions of animals used in testing, we still think that this story reached the hearts of Canadians in a different way because the dogs reach our hearts in a different way.”
For many people, dogs are family and best friends. They’re our companions through loneliness, joy, and tough times. That connection makes stories like this one hit much harder.
Even if you don’t have a dog, someone close to you probably does—and feels the same way.
“If this prompts the ending of testing on dogs to begin with, man, wouldn't that be a win? And then we move on to ending animal testing and moving towards alternatives to that.”
Non-Animal Testing Methods:
Cell cultures
Computer models
Organ-on-chip technology
Ethical Regulations:
Stronger oversight on animal research
Push towards “replace, reduce, refine” principles
Growing Scientific Support:
Many studies show alternatives can produce results as reliable (sometimes more so!) than traditional animal testing.
Ethical science benefits everyone.
This victory is a spark—to question, to learn, and to change more broadly. Society can move toward better ways of doing research, ways that respect both science and the living beings involved.
Want to be part of this story? The Beagle Alliance always needs fosters, adopters, and supporters. Here’s how you can get involved:
Training Provided: Through The Beagle Alliance, you'll get the help you need.
Support Network: You're never left alone.
Application: Fast and easy at Foster/Adopt.
Life-Changing Experience: For you and the dog!
Long-Term Impact: Give a lab dog their best new chapter.
Help Behind the Scenes: Outreach, education, events.
Financial Support: Every dollar goes towards medical care, food, and program support.
Share Stories: Social media makes a difference!
Educate Others: Change happens when more people care.
“Get your applications in because we're always working on rescues. We can't do it without you.”
Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Attend local meetups or events
Collaboration is the way to help these animals in Canada.
The end of this particular testing at St. Joseph’s Healthcare London is a story of hope and hard work. It’s about advocacy groups refusing to give up. It’s about thousands of Canadians whose hearts go out to these beagles.
This victory belongs to everyone: rescue organizations, fosters, adopters, advocate lawyers, and every person who ever spoke up for animals.
If you're ready to help, join the movement at thebeaglealliance.org. Stay tuned—because this is only the beginning.
Please consider speaking with your MP about animal free science. These innovative methods have already proven to be more effective for humans, less expensive - and of course would save the lives of so many animals.
Meet former research and rescue beagles who are now living their best life right here in Manitoba OR, join us virtually while we a...
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PHOTO CREDIT: Artem Beliaikin
