From Lab Cage to Freedom: Olivia’s Refuge Saves 100 Beagles from Euthanasia

Dogs Rescued from a Life of Isolation and Suffering

At her 5-hectare refuge in Saubrigues, in the French region of Landes, Olivia Hellin has created a haven like no other. Her mission? To rescue and rehabilitate dogs once used for testing in laboratories across France and the United States.

Most of these dogs are beagles—chosen by researchers for their gentle nature and submissive temperament. But when they arrive at the sanctuary, they’re often traumatized, fearful, and silent. “They don’t trust anyone. They’ve spent their lives in isolation, never petted, never socialized. Beagles are pack dogs—they need connection,” Olivia explains.

So she sets them free—literally. “From the moment they arrive, I release them. I don’t want them punished by cages anymore. They’ve already had a lifetime of that.”

A Life of Freedom, Not Fear

Olivia’s sanctuary doesn’t look—or sound—like your typical dog shelter. Even with nearly 100 dogs on the grounds, it’s calm and peaceful. Why? Because the dogs are free. They roam, sleep on couches, chew on toys, sniff trees, and run together. “They’re not barking because they’re not stressed,” Olivia says.

She started out running a boarding service for happy dogs in the early 2000s. But everything changed in 2020, when a vet called to ask if she could take in dogs due to be euthanized after lab testing. “That call changed everything,” Olivia recalls. “I sold my surfboards and musical equipment. I put everything into the dogs.”

The True Cost of Animal Testing

Since founding the “I Love My Dog” rescue, Olivia has spent over €100,000 of her own money. She now relies on volunteers, donations, and sponsors like the dog food company Ultra Premium.

Her commitment is unwavering. “These dogs were going to be killed. After everything they’ve suffered, they deserve a future. Saving them isn’t a sacrifice—it’s my purpose.”

But not all dogs can be saved. Around 3,000 to 4,000 dogs are used in French labs every year, many of them euthanized and dissected after testing. The most commonly tested products include household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and surgical devices.

“Some dogs are killed, frozen, and autopsied to examine how the product affected their organs,” Olivia reveals. Only dogs subjected to lighter testing—those without lasting physical damage—can be rehomed.

A New Beginning, But Not Without Challenges

Olivia has successfully rehomed 70 of the rescued dogs. But healing emotional trauma isn’t always easy. “Some dogs just can’t connect,” she explains. “One man adopted a lab beagle, but had to return him. The dog had been traumatized by male lab workers—he couldn’t trust him.”

The adoption process is sensitive and deeply personal. For dogs who can’t be placed, Olivia ensures they have a safe home at the refuge for life.

Is Change Finally Coming?

According to Sabine Brels, an expert in animal law, more than 600 labs in France still conduct tests on animals. Though European regulations have evolved to reduce unnecessary testing, nearly all medications sold in France are still tested on animals.

“Researchers must now share data to avoid duplicate experiments and reduce the number of test animals,” Brels says. “And when possible, they must replace animal testing with alternative methods.”

Even Marshall BioResources—the U.S.-based company supplying many of these dogs—has begun placing retired or unsold dogs with sanctuaries like Olivia’s. In a statement to French media, the company insisted it treats animals with care and that its staff is trained to provide physical and emotional attention.

“We never see our animals as research tools,” the company stated. “We work with shelters to give them a future.”

Looking Ahead

On June 16, 2025, France’s Conseil d’État issued a new ruling requiring full transparency from all researchers conducting animal tests. It’s a small but important step in the long fight for change.

Meanwhile, Olivia continues her quiet revolution—one beagle at a time. “They were born into cages, destined for death. Now, they’re living, running, playing, and being loved. That’s what matters.”