Forty beagles used in laboratory testing have arrived in Los Angeles to find foster homes after having been freed by the Beagle Freedom Project in Spain.

The dogs, aged between four and seven years, had never seen the light of day before their release. Beagles are used in university and other research facilities to test medical and pharmaceutical products, household products and cosmetics.

They've been in kennels since they were rescued, but aside from that, they've spent most of their lives locked up, said Gary Smith, a spokesperson for Animal Rescue Media Education and the Beagle Freedom Project.

When the beagles are no longer wanted for research purposes, some labs attempt to find homes for them. The Beagle Freedom Project works with the laboratories to remove and transport beagles to their new homes. All of the Beagle Freedom Project's rescues are carried out legally with the cooperation of the facility.

Beagles' docile and loving nature make them perfect pets. But, unfortunately, their easygoing temperaments also make them the ideal candidates for lab testing.

In June last, the organisation filmed nine lab beagles leaving their cages for the first time. Watch the video:

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