‘Beagleversary' Reunion Marks One Year Since 4,000 Beagles Were Rescued from Virginia Breeding Facility

The Humane Society reunited thousands of families and their adopted pups at Bark Social, a beer garden and social club for pet parents and their pups

•4,000 beagles were rescued from a Virginia breeding facility in 2022

•The facility, owned and operated by Envigo RMS, was accused of animal welfare violations

•The Humane Society hosted a “Beagleversary Bash” celebration Friday to reunite the rescued pups

In summer 2022, 4,000 beagles were rescued from a controversial breeding facility in Virginia. Shortly after they were rescued, the beagles were adopted out to thousands of lucky families across the U.S. — which means those families are celebrating their one-year adopt-a-versaries with their pups.

To observe this major milestone, and to reunite the rescued dogs and their families, the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) hosted a historic event called “Beagleversary Bash” on Friday. According to a press release sent to PEOPLE, the event took place at Bark Social, which allowed the rescued dogs to play, and the humans to interact.

Though the party was obviously fun for the dogs and their families, it was particularly momentous for HSUS staff members. Many were closely involved with saving the dogs and caring for them during rescue operations at the Cumberland, Virginia, facility, owned and operated by Envigo RMS.

The federal government filed a civil enforcement case in May 2022 against Envigo RMS, which was accused of animal welfare violations. After the case was filed, U.S. District Court Judge Norman Moon issued a restraining order imposing restrictions on the facility, according to USA Today.

The New York Times reported last year that investigations had found underfed, ill, and injured dogs at the facility, and dogs that were euthanized rather than given medical care.

After the beagles’ removal, they were taken in by shelters across the nation, to treat and rehome the dogs. That made the reunion filled with even more emotion and joy for those heavily involved during the rescue process.

Related: Rescue Throws Big Goodbye Party for Newly Adopted Dog Who Spent Over 1,000 Days at Shelter

“Last time we saw these dogs, all they knew was life in a mass-breeding facility. They had never been in a home. They had never sat on a couch or gone on a walk around the neighborhood,” Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ animal rescue team, stated in the press release. “Seeing them here with their adopted families a year later is amazing — I hope that this is all they remember.”

“Today, we celebrate the remarkable journey of these beagles, who have gone from life in a mass breeding facility to that of cherished family members,” Kitty Block, president and CEO of the HSUS, also stated. “These beagles represent the loving homes every dog deserves, as well as the tens of thousands of dogs currently held in laboratory breeding facilities and used in painful experiments. We all have a role to play in putting a stop to the suffering of animals just like the #4000beagles.”

A year after the rescue in July 2023, four of the rescued beagles reunited for a birthday celebration. Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, who had adopted out the four beagles, posted a video to Facebook showing the pups' reunion party, which marked their first birthdays in freedom.

Along with dog-sized birthday crowns, the pups, named Mia, Rose, Chewy, and Khali, were donning personalized bandanas. And, of course, they were able to enjoy a pet-friendly birthday cake.

Related: Stray Dog Found with Tumor Larger than His Head Gets Mass Removed and Finds a Home

"Oh what fun it is to be a Beagle allowed to have a life outside of confinement and torture," the Virginia rescue wrote in the post.

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