Ending Cruelty—The Fight to Stop Dog Experimentation with Ellie Hansen

For over a century, dogs—especially beagles—have been used in laboratory experiments, enduring unnecessary suffering for products designed for humans. Despite scientific advancements and the passage of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which allows alternatives to animal testing, many research labs continue these outdated and cruel practices.

In this episode of The Counter, we sit down with Ellie Hansen—animal rights activist and award-winning writer—to discuss why laboratories are still using dogs for experiments, the misconceptions about animal testing, and what can be done to end this unethical and ineffective practice.

Laws are changing, but progress depends on public awareness and action. 🎧 Join us to learn how you can be part of the movement to make America more just—for all living beings.

🚨 Trigger Warning: While descriptions in this conversation are mild compared to what the dogs endure, some listeners may find the content distressing.

To learn more about Dog Research Exposed, please visit their website at dogresearchexposed.com.

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com.

For more information on the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, see the following:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/5002

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(23)00254-1/fulltext

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10617761/

https://cn-bio.com/us-fda-modernization-act-2-what-does-it-mean/

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/1148529799/fda-animal-testing-pharmaceuticals-drug-development

https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/2024/02/06/fda-required-to-implement-animal-testing-reforms

https://www.science.org/content/resource/new-path-new-drugs-finding-alternatives-to-animal-testing

 

Host:  Penny Ronning

Writer:  Penny Ronning

Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe

Editor:  Ty Lowe

Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe

Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov

Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack

Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe

Website:  Ty Lowe

Social Media:  Emma Trunkle

 

 

Ellie Hansen Bio

Ellie Hansen is an award-winning writer and animal rights activist. She holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Bloomsburg University. Ellie’s published works include two books and magazine articles focusing on profound human relationships with dogs.

In 2015, Ellie adopted two beagles who were used for much of their lives for pharmaceutical research in undisclosed U.S. laboratories. Both dogs were severely traumatized and needed extensive rehabilitation to acclimatize to their new lives outside the laboratory. Witnessing their resilience and uncovering the facts about dogs used for research inspired Ellie to write her second book Laboratory Dogs Rescued: From Test Subjects to Beloved Companions (2021, McFarland & Company Inc. Publishers). 

Ellie is currently the producer and host of the Dog Research Exposed Podcast dedicated to disseminating information related to ending this cruel and outdated practice of using dogs in chemical and biomedical research worldwide. In early 2024 she embarked on a national tour with Dog Research Exposed to personally deliver signed petitions to facilities still using dogs for experiments. As of August 2024, Hansen has visited over 20 research facilities in 13 states and driven over 13,000 miles. Hansen also successfully planned and orchestrated the first-ever protest at Marshall Farms in New York State—the largest factory farm breeder of beagles and other animals for experimentation in the U.S. 

 

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.