If you’ve been following me on Instagram or have read the back pages of my books or my short story, Freedom & Fosters, you already know that I wrote a rescue beagle into the Maine Campground Cozy Mystery series.

But not just any rescue beagle. An animal testing survivor beagle.

Corny, the main dog in my books, is not based on any one beagle (although I did have a beagle-mix growing up). He’s based on the thousands of beagles that have been rescued by Beagle Freedom Project, an organization that I support.

Yes, animal testing in laboratories is still a thing that is done all over the world. The biggest offenders are for-profit companies and universities. You might see the “Vegan” label and “hopping bunny” symbols on your shampoo or cosmetics, but animal testing is still very much in practice.

Because cozy mystery readers want books that are light and without too many heavy themes, writing about Corny and his past trauma creates some challenges for me. That's why I'm going in-depth in this blog post.

BFP's approach is hands-on and relentless

Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) is a nonprofit organization that’s been flipping the script on animal testing since 2010. Founded by animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, BFP rescues animals—mostly beagles, but also cats, pigs, and others—from labs where they’ve been used for testing. Instead of letting these animals be euthanized when the experiments are over, BFP steps in to give them a second chance at life.​

• they negotiate directly with lab owners to release the animals
• they push for legislative changes (like the Beagle Freedom Bill, which mandates labs to release animals for adoption)
• they educate the public through tools like their Cruelty Cutter app, which helps consumers find cruelty-free products

Here are just two of the rescues that BFP has done over the years.

Rescue #1: Oklahoma Lab Shutdown (February 2024)

BFP shut down a massive animal testing facility in Nowata, Oklahoma, in February 2024. This lab was responsible for about one-third of the U.S. flea and tick product testing industry. BFP rescued over 200 animals—including dogs, cats, newborn puppies, and even a family of pigs—from a lifetime of toxic experiments. Then, BFP bought the 30-acre property and transformed it into "Freedom Fields," a sanctuary and adoption center where these animals now receive medical care, nutritious food, and, most importantly, love. ​

Rescue #2: Operation April – Korean Rescue (April 2015)

Back in April 2015, BFP extended its reach internationally with "Operation April," rescuing 10 beagles from a laboratory in Seoul, South Korea. While five of these dogs found homes locally in Seoul, the remaining five were flown to Los Angeles. There, they received the "Hollywood treatment," complete with media attention and celebrity support, before being adopted into loving homes.

Beagle Freedom Project isn’t just about rescues; they’re about changing the entire system. 

Through direct action, legislative advocacy, and public education, they’re working to end animal testing for good. If you want to support their mission, consider adopting, donating, or using their Cruelty Cutter app to make informed, cruelty-free purchases.