Animal Testing Lab in Oklahoma Closes, Now Being Transformed into Sanctuary for Rescued Lab Animals
The 30-acre lab closed after decades spent experimenting on dogs and cats. Now, an animal welfare charity has stepped in to make the space into an animal sanctuary for ex-lab animals.
A beagle used for cruel and toxic chemical testing, seen in the tiny, cold metal cage where he has spent his entire life. He’s now safe with the Beagle Freedom Project. Credit: Beagle Freedom Project
An animal testing laboratory in Oklahoma has been closed down and is now being transformed into a sanctuary for ex-lab animals.
The 30-acre site in Nowata spent decades using dogs and cats in cruel experiments which represented one third of the flea and tick product testing industry.
Now, Beagle Freedom Project (BFP), an non-profit which specializes in rescuing and rehoming animals used in laboratory testing, has announced that it has taken over the now closed site in Oklahoma.
The NGO is currently transforming the space into a rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption center, named Freedom Fields.
The first residents will be more than 200 dogs and cats who have been surrendered by the facility, and saved from a lifetime of toxic and painful testing. The survivors include newborn puppies, as well as a family of 6 pigs.
At Freedom Fields, BFP says that these rescued animals will receive medical care and nutritious food in a safe habitat, where they can roam, play, and enjoy the freedom they have been deprived of their entire lives. And eventually, rehabilitated animals will be up for fostering and adoption.
"The importance of this monumental achievement cannot be overstated. Not only have we rescued hundreds of animals from being tested on and certain death, we have also created a pathway for others to do the same,” said BFP President and Founder Shannon Keith. “This has never before been accomplished. We are overjoyed that not only will we give more than 200 dogs and cats their freedom and identity, but that we will also transform an animal testing facility into a place of hope, happiness, rehabilitation, and love."
For now, extensive renovations at the facility are underway. These include replacing small, metal cages and outdoor plastic huts with new barns and habitats.
Aerial of the animal testing lab Beagle Freedom Project shut down, where cats and dogs have been held in tiny metal cages and outside in the elements surrounded by electrified fencing, awaiting cruel and toxic chemical testing. Credit: Beagle Freedom Project
Once complete, there will be space for animals including pigs, chickens, and rabbits, as well as a dog park, catio, nursery, and groom room. A visitor center will also welcome guests who will learn about animal testing before touring the facilities and meeting animals available for adoption.
Rescued Animals Now Safe
The former animal testing laboratory had been subject to many USDA citations and violations before its closure. The BFP had previously rescued animals from the facility over the last three years, and has seen first-hand some of the horrors that these animals were facing.
“Their skin is burned, seared off and infected, they have seizures from the toxins, they endure maddening pain and discomfort while fleas and ticks are bred on their bodies and they are forced to wear cones so they cannot relieve the pain and itching, and so much more,” explains BFP President and Founder Shannon Keith.
Before its eventual closure, Keith and the BFP team approached the owner of the facility last year about relinquishing his USDA license and ending operations.
Conversations were successful and as of February 1, 2024, all testing at the facility stopped, and the remaining animals were surrendered to BFP.
Credit: Beagle Freedom Project
Assemblymember Marie Waldron (AD-75), was among several public figures who commented on BFP’s unprecedented victory.
“Closing down the animal testing laboratory in Oklahoma is a tremendous victory for BFP and thousands of animals that will never be bred or tested on again,” said Waldron in a statement. “The importance of creating awareness about animal testing and advancing protections for these sentient beings cannot be overstated.”
Fighting for a Future Without Animal Testing
Since starting in 2010, the LA-based Beagle Freedom Project has helped liberate more than 4,000 animals from laboratories, while campaigning to end the archaic use of animals in testing.
Through political legislation, the organization's Beagle Freedom Bill - which mandates the adoption of dogs and cats from labs that would otherwise be euthanized - has successfully passed in 13 states.
The BFP says that it is already in negotiations to close another large lab that is involved in flea and tick products, as well as working with companies to provide natural alternatives to the toxic chemicals animals are subjected to in lab trials.
“Flea and tick products do not have to be tested on animals and there are safer and better methods of pest management,” explains BFP’s Keith. “Our goal is to shut down this entire industry, paving the way for safer and more ethical means of flea and tick control for dogs and cats, ultimately, reducing deadly toxins that pose a threat to animals, people, our communities, environment, soil, and agriculture.”
Take Action Against Animal Testing Now: join Species Unite in urging Congress to pass the CARE Act to provide animal testing survivors the opportunity for a second chance at life in loving forever homes. Add your name here.
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