From laboratory to loving home: Sloane's story
In July 2022, news broke that 4,000 Beagles needed urgent adoption after the shutdown of Envigo—a Virginia breeding facility that supplied dogs to pharmaceutical testing labs. Federal investigations revealed repeated violations of animal welfare laws, and the facility’s closure triggered one of the largest coordinated dog rescue efforts in U.S. history.
Julie, a dedicated volunteer with the Oregon Humane Society (OHS), knew she had to help. Beagles held a special place in her heart—especially after losing Chloe, her beloved Beagle mix and “soul dog.” When OHS announced it would welcome 80 of the rescued Beagles, Julie spent the day at the kennels in late August 2022, hoping to connect with one of them. That’s when she met Sloane—then named Spaghetti.
“I sat down with Sloane, and her silly, joyful antics reminded me so much of Chloe as a puppy,” Julie recalls. “When I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about her—even though we’d just sold our house, were preparing for a major move, juggling demanding work travel, and had a three-week trip to Portugal scheduled. It was the absolute worst timing… but on August 24, 2022, we adopted her and renamed her Sloane!”
Julie fell in love instantly—but Sloane’s transition to life outside the kennel took patience and compassion. In her shelter environment, bolstered by other dogs, Sloane was a sweet, confident six-month-old puppy who couldn’t stay upright without constant belly rubs—a trait that endures to this day. At home, however, she was fearful: loud noises, unexpected sounds, car rides, walks outdoors, and even the quiet of her new space felt overwhelming.
Building confidence, one step at a time
Julie and her partner committed to gentle, consistent training—gradually introducing new experiences while using positive reinforcement and rewards. Sloane rose to every challenge with quiet determination. Today, she’s a confident, joyful companion who loves long walks, road trips, and greeting everyone—and every dog—she meets.
Sloane’s favorite things
- Dance parties! She’s a devoted fan of Blackpink—and will bounce enthusiastically to the beat.
- Trust falls. Sloane loves being lifted and then gently pushed off so her human can sweep her backward while holding her on her back—no fear, just pure trust.
- Sniffing adventures. She’ll spend ten minutes investigating a single blade of grass.
- Parkour. She leaps off living room furniture mid-play with her 11-year-old Pitbull brother, Moby.
- Deep snuggles. Sleeping late under the covers—or flat on her back, belly exposed—is peak relaxation.
- Treasure hunting. She brings home sticks, leaves, and other “prizes” to shred into confetti on the couch or bed.
What Sloane doesn’t love
- Having her treasures removed, cleaned up, or thrown away (“rude?!”)
- Loud motorcycle or car engine “gunning” sounds—though, as Julie jokes, “who does?”
Once settled, Julie wanted to learn more about Sloane’s origins. With support from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a database of Envigo Beagle adopters was created. While Sloane’s two known siblings live on the East Coast—making a reunion logistically challenging—it remains a hopeful possibility.
Sloane’s resilience and charm earned her a spotlight feature as cover model of Pet Companion magazine. “I guess I’m her momager?” Julie laughs. Sloane shares Julie’s Instagram account (@julie_honse), where followers enjoy adorable photos and occasional dance party videos—with Moby making frequent guest appearances.
As Julie and her furry family prepare to relocate from Palm Springs to Portugal, pet care logistics became a top priority. “My partner worried we wouldn’t have reliable pet sitting during our transitional phase—and later, in our new home abroad,” Julie explains. “A friend had used FurPetVo to find trusted sitters while house-hunting, so I checked furpetvo.com right away. It quickly became one of my bargaining chips!”
While all 4,000 Envigo Beagles have now found loving homes—thanks to organizations like the Oregon Humane Society and Helen Woodward Animal Center—many dogs still await adoption. Julie encourages readers to learn more about the Beagle Freedom Project, a nonprofit dedicated to ending laboratory testing by advocating for the release and adoption of dogs once their use in research concludes.
