#22 | Unlocking the Cages: Shannon Keith’s Legal Fight to Free Animals from Abusive Testing
Did you know that the beagle, one of America's most beloved dog breeds, is also one of the most exploited in laboratory testing?
Today, we have a guest who has dedicated her life to change this narrative - Shannon Keith, animal rights lawyer & founder of the Beagle Freedom Project.
Shannon Keith is a passionate animal rights lawyer who traded courtroom battles for a different kind of fight - the fight against animal testing. Shannon's journey began with a deep love for animals and a strong sense of justice. These powerful forces propelled her into forming the Beagle Freedom Project, an organization devoted to rescuing animals from laboratory testing and promoting legislative changes to end this cruel practice.
In the United States, animal testing remains a grim reality, with an estimated tens of millions of animals used in experiments each year. Beagles, known for their gentle and docile nature, are often exploited in these tests due to these very traits. Shannon's work stands at the forefront of change, advocating not only for the rescue and rehabilitation of these animals but also for significant legislative and systemic changes to end this cruel practice once and for all.
🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:
Shannon's Path from Legal Practice to Animal Advocacy: From her early career in law to her groundbreaking work as an animal rights advocate, we discuss the defining moments that inspired Shannon to form the Beagle Freedom Project.
Exposing the Reality of Animal Testing: Uncover the harsh truths about the use of animals, specifically beagles, in laboratory testing. Shannon provides insights into the ethical issues surrounding these practices and the lives that are at stake.
Debunking Myths: It's a common misconception that animal testing is essential for developing treatments for serious illnesses, like cancer and diabetes. However, as Shannon explains, such tests often fail to produce effective results, bringing into question the validity of these practices.
Living Under Surveillance: Shannon recounts the time when her advocacy work landed her on a terrorist watchlist, illustrating the lengths some will go to maintain the status quo of animal testing.
Inside the Beagle Freedom Project: Explore the day-to-day operations of the Beagle Freedom Project. From rescue missions to rehabilitation, Shannon shares touching stories of success and the ongoing challenges they face.
The Envigo Beagle Rescue: She recounts a 2022 rescue mission following the closure of a poorly & cruelly run USDA-approved animal testing site, after which homes were needed for an astounding 4000 beagles.
Educational Initiatives: Discover Shannon's efforts to increase the prevalence of animal rights courses in universities and bring animal advocacy education to classrooms worldwide through the Beagle Freedom Project’s Classroom initiative.
Film as a Tool for Advocacy: We delve into the three documentaries that Shannon has produced - Behind the Mask, Skin Trade, and, most recently, Sanctuary - and the impact they've had in raising awareness about animal rights issues.
Confronting the Horrors: Shannon talks about the emotional toll of her work, particularly when documenting and editing footage of animal abuse.
Legislative Victories: Learn about the landmark FDA Modernization Bill passed in 2022 that lifted the requirement for pharmaceutical companies to test drugs on animals for FDA approval, a significant win driven by advocates like Shannon.
Changing Policy, State by State: Hear about Shannon's ongoing efforts to pass state laws requiring companies to hand over "spent" animals used in testing to shelters, rather than resorting to euthanasia.
Celebrity Influence in Animal Adoption: The discussion touches on how public figures like Harry and Meghan, the Duke & Duchess of Sussex, intentionally adopting an older beagle can encourage others to choose adoption over buying puppies.
The Cruelty-Cutter App: We also discuss the innovative Cruelty-Cutter app that helps consumers make animal-friendly choices by letting them scan products to check if they have been tested on animals.
How to Get Involved: Learn about the many ways you can support the Beagle Freedom Project and contribute to the fight against animal testing.
Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
