To shed light on this tail … er … tale, let’s rewind a bit. Last summer, the Humane Society of the United States stepped in at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice to transport nearly 4,000 beagles from a facility that bred dogs for the animal testing industry and had numerous animal welfare violations. Picture it as a sort of beagle factory, where most of these pups were destined for lives in testing laboratories. But the HSUS removed these beagles and placed them with our huge network of shelter and rescue partners, who in turn adopted the dogs to families eager to provide them with love and care.
Fast forward to today, marking a full year since this incredible operation took place, and it’s time for a special celebration! In late September, we invited beagles and their families to Bark Social in North Bethesda, Maryland, for a beagle-versary bash. Bark Social serves as a recreational haven for dogs and their people, complete with food and drink offerings for both species. One family even came all the way from New Jersey to join the party!
Members of the HSUS team who played a pivotal role in the beagles’ journey were present as well. While watching the dogs romp around the play yard, Jessica Johnson, a senior director of our Animal Rescue Team, couldn’t help reflecting on the difference a year can make. When she first met them, the beagles had never experienced the joys of cuddling on a cozy sofa or taking leisurely strolls around a neighborhood. Today, they are part of loving households.
“Last time we saw these dogs, all they knew was life in a mass-breeding facility,” Johnson says. “Seeing them here with their adopted families a year later is amazing—I hope that this is all they remember."
Learn more about a few of these extraordinary pups.
HIVER
Age: 2 years
Adopter: Heather Baskett
Best friends: Jarvis and Izzie, his canine siblings
Favorite activities: Kayaking and boating. When he sees his life jacket come out, he knows the fun is about to begin.
Favorite foods: Anything he can eat quickly
Fun fact: Hiver is named after Heather’s favorite brewing company in London.
BUZZ
Age: 14 months
Adopter: Jill Westeyn
Likes: Sticks of all sizes; his blanket; meatballs; his canine siblings, Sully and Zeke
Dislikes: Plastic bags
Fun fact: The beagle-versary bash was Buzz’s first dog park experience. Once he got used to the feel of turf under his paws, he was ready to play!
SKYLAR
Age: 18 months
Adopters: Erin Wilson and Robert Gibson
Favorite activities: Rolling in the grass; playing with big dogs
New skill: Learning to howl
Favorite place to nap: By the window so she can watch the world go by before drifting off.
Dislikes: Car rides; loud noises
Skylar was once only known by the letter and number combination tattooed inside her ear. “It makes us think about where she could be right now …” Erin says. “We’re just so happy she’s here."
LOLA
Age: 1 year
Adopters: Tally and Jay Wentz
Favorite snacks: Apples; bananas
Favorite toy: Tennis balls
Favorite activities: Snuggling; keeping tabs on the local wildlife from her cozy post indoors
Fun fact: Lola and her family came all the way from New Jersey to join the beagle party, the farthest of any of the attendees.
RUDY
Age: 2 years
Adopters: Alan and Susan Sachs
Favorite activities: Romping on grass; chasing tennis balls with zero intention of bringing them back
Favorite napping spots: His fluffy, cozy bed
Fun fact: Rudy was underweight when he was removed from the facility, but he’s happy and healthy now. His family named him after Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin in the 1993 film Rudy, who overcame significant challenges (including his size) to achieve his dream of playing football for the University of Notre Dame.
BISCUIT
Age: 2 years
Adopter: Scott Leary
Favorite activities: Taking long runs or walks through the U.S. National Arboretum near her home in Washington, D.C.; playing hide-and-seek with Scott’s nieces and nephews
Favorite toy: A stuffed koala, which is missing an ear but otherwise deemed the “chosen” stuffy allowed to keep its stuffing.
Favorite snack: Did you say snacks? Biscuit loves ALL the snacks.
Favorite vacation spot: Rehoboth Beach
BUDDY
Age: 2 years
Adopter: Nicole Alden
Favorite activities: Eating anything he’s allowed to eat (and some things he’s not); snoozing on the couch; shredding paper
Favorite toys: Crinkly cat toys and feather wands (apologies to feline sibling Suzy Q)
Least favorite thing: His crate
PLUTO
Age: 1.5 years
Adopters: Ana Luta and her parents, Bill and Julia Goldberg
Favorite toy: Stuffed puppy with an automated heartbeat, a comforting companion he’s had since he was born in foster care after the transport
Favorite bad habit: Raiding the cats’ food
Favorite good habit: Licking his paws then wiping his face after meals, just like his feline siblings
Fun fact: Pluto was the smallest pup in a litter of nine, each named after a planet. Ana, who works for NASA, was immediately drawn to the “planet puppies” and Pluto’s pint-size stature.
MATCHA
Age: 1 year
Adopter: Heather Kurfiss
Favorite activity: Learning about the world around her from the safety of her kennel, which Heather sets up (with the door open) around the house, outdoors and wherever they travel
Favorite toys: Tugging ropes and anything she can chew
Favorite snack: Popcorn
New skill: Learning how to play with toys and other dogs, following the lead of her canine sibling, Cujo
COUNT DOOKU
Age: 1 year
Adopters: Henry and Joy Bradley, and their 5-month-old son, Matthias
Favorite activity: Running as fast as he can everywhere
Favorite snack: Bacon-flavored treats
Household nemesis: Vacuum cleaner
Fun fact: Henry, a Star Wars fan, named Dooku after a Sith Lord in the Star Wars saga. Despite his Dark Side namesake, Dooku is the kindest dog in the galaxy with his family and his feline sibling, Prince (whom Henry is quick to say he did NOT name).
NEELY
Age: 5 years
Adopter: Carol Calhoun
Likes: Going for walks; sniffing around a nearby playground; solving her puzzle feeder (jackpot!)
Dislikes: Car rides
Fun fact: Neely loves to be around people and is what Carol describes as a “Velcro dog.” After the transport, Neely’s group of mama dogs were all given names that start with N—Naomi, Nala, etc. Carol quite liked the name Neely and decided to keep it.
GINNY
Age: 8.5 years
Adopter: Katie Martineau
Previous life: Ginny was a breeder dog at the facility, giving birth to countless puppies who were likely sold for use in laboratories. It took her time to get used to feeling grass beneath her paws, but now spending time outdoors is one of her favorite ways to enjoy retirement.
Favorite activities: Chaperoning Katie all around the house; greeting people when they’re out and about; snoozing on the couch, belly up (you never know when someone might give your tummy a rub!)
Favorite toy: A plush beagle toy that she carries around and snuggles like one of her puppies
LOLA
Age: 3 years
Adopters: Nicole Briceno and Kevin Acosta
Favorite snack: Peanut butter
Likes: Going for long walks to sniff all there is to sniff; eating
Dislikes: Marching bands; towels
Fun fact: While some beagles are known for their enthusiastic vocalizing, Lola prefers quiet communication thank you very much.
PENNY
Age: 1 year
Adopters: Tiana Connor and Aaron Weaver
Best friend: Canine sibling, Pinto, who teaches her new tricks
Favorite activities: Ripping apart toys (see below)
Favorite toy: The head of a stuffed bear Aaron gave Tiana for their anniversary (see above)
Favorite napping spot: An empty toy box
Dislikes: Ice machines; plastic bags
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