Rehoming animals from research
There is an alternative for animals at the end of research

For research establishments

We work with research establishments in Australia to organise the rehoming of animals at the conclusion of research. Activities have focused on NSW and ACT to date but we can create capacity where there is a demand in any state or territory.

For everyone

For adopters and fosterers

Please join our community of people interested in fostering/adopting animals, who understand and appreciate the special character of animals from research and want to provide a safe and nurturing home.

For volunteers

We are just getting started and need the help of everyone that shares our values and may have a skill to volunteer such as IT, accounting, marketing or animal handling. Sign up as a volunteer today.

Road to freedom for guinea pig boys

22 April 2020

  A group of nine young guinea pig boys were rehomed by Liberty Foundation Australia recently – taken from their early life in a research establishment, to living a free-range existence on a farm in the northern rivers region of New South Wales. “To say it’s a life beyond their wildest dreams would be an understatement,” says Liberty Foundation founder Paula Wallace. “Our work is all about giving animals the space and time to be themselves, to form meaningful bonds…

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EXPLAINER: How many animals used in research could be rehomed? [2017-2018 figures]

21 April 2020

  The short answer is, that we don’t know exactly. This question cannot be answered accurately with the information that is currently publicly available. However, we do know that there are hundreds of organisations licensed to use animals for research and scientific purposes in Australia, and there are dogs and cats (as well as many other species) that could be rehomed that are currently euthanised at the conclusion of research. The long answer is that we can use the available…

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“This is My Year” – A Celebration of Rehoming Animals from Research

13 March 2020

  Since October 2017, Liberty Foundation has been rehoming animals from research establishments in the community as wonderful pets and companions. We have rehomed a beautiful dog, as well as many rats, mice, fish and guinea pigs. So far, we’ve rehomed nearly 250 individuals, all with their own personalities, likes and dislikes, who have all found the perfect home for them. Here’s a video which introduces  you to some of the animals we’ve had the privilege to rehome and shows…

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HUHA shows how it’s done, successfully rehoming 33 beagles from research

4 September 2017

A remarkable event occurred in New Zealand in 2011: 33 beagles were released from a scientific research facility that all went on to be placed in suitable ‘forever’ homes with people in the community. Oh, except one. Doris came back due to no fault of her own, after trying out a few homes, and it was then that sanctuary founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie realised this beagle was determined to become the ‘poster child’ of the rehoming movement. She became a permanent…

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EXPLAINER: How many dogs and cats used in research could be rehomed? [2015-16 figures]

4 September 2017

The short answer is, that we don’t really know. This question cannot be answered accurately with the information that is currently publically available. However, we do know that there are hundreds of organisations licensed to use animals for research and scientific purposes in Australia, and there are dogs and cats (as well as many other species) that could be rehomed that are currently euthanised at the conclusion of research. The long answer is that we can use the available data…

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Liberty movement growing globally

4 September 2017

With legislation for mandatory rehoming of dogs and cats from research establishments being passed in several US jurisdictions, the movement is spreading to other countries. Another state in the USA has passed legislation that makes it mandatory for research establishments receiving public funding to provide a rehoming option for dogs and cats at the conclusion of research. On 25 August, the Beagle Freedom Project in the USA, reported that Illinois has become the sixth state to pass the legislation, known…

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Liberty Foundation

Liberty Foundation (Aust) Limited is a not-for-profit organisation. It aims to facilitate the release, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals from research establishments in Australia in order that they may live out the course of their natural lives free from research and scientific experimentation.