August 31, 2022 - We are grateful to be able to take in FOUR of the 4,000 beagles that have been rescued from the Envigo breeding and research facility in Virginia!
September 27, 2022 - Three of the four Envigo beagles taken in by Camp Cocker Rescue have been adopted, or are pending adoption. Willow is the most fearful one of the group, and has been in an experienced foster home to help her adjust to life outside of a cage. Willow has just been made available for adoption at 14 months old and 19 pounds. Read the latest details here on Willow’s web page.
Follow Willow here on our website, and also on our social media!
Hi, I’m Willow!
🎉 WOO HOO! WILLOW HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!! 🎉
(Updated 1/6/23) They say I’m a beauty, and since I’m an Envigo beagle many people are interested in me! I’m now 18 months old, and I weigh about 20 pounds - but there are some even important things that you’ll need to know about me before you fill out that long application! The two most important things to know are:
*I've been decompressing in my foster home, and beginning to get used to real world experiences. I'm able to take some steps forward, but often slip back and need to start over again. So, progress is going to take a lot of time, and it’s going to require a huge amount of patience.
*I’m going to need a special adopter - someone who has a high level of patience, and who will be willing & able to go that extra mile to help me to get past enough of my fears so that I can enjoy the long life I have ahead of me.
** PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT DETAILS FROM WILLOW’S FOSTER MOM:
- Willow is very sweet! She’s beautiful and healthy. She gets along well with other dogs, and has good tolerance of other dogs’ behaviors. She’s also very submissive. She does not appear to have separation anxiety. Sadly, most of her behaviors seem to be based on the need for permission, and a fear of getting into trouble.
- Willow has so many of the symptoms that are typical of Envigo beagles. She’s just a little more than a year old, but it appears that she’s suffered a lot of trauma in that short period of time. All of her attention is engaged in determining what is safe, and what is not safe - and so far, she perceives most things in her life as not safe!
- The Beagle Freedom Project’s “Care Guide for Envigo Beagles” describes almost exactly what’s going on with Willow:
“It is a common misconception that all your fearful dog needs is a lot of love and to be totally spoiled because of their traumatic past. Dogs learn how to perceive, engage, and stay safe in the world around them at a very young age. It is common for survivors to show sensitivity to any of the following and more:
”Raised voices or abrupt changes in volume, tone, and cadence / Exaggerated or swift body movements, such as reaching your arm up or turning on your heel / Direct eye contact, even if you are smiling or happy / Being approached head-on, with your body facing the dog / Reaching overhead, such as leaning over to pet or rounding your shoulders in the dog’s direction”
- Specific to Willow, here are some of the ways that she has manifested her responses to those stimuli in the months that she’s been here with me since her arrival on August 31:
- She is still frequently uncomfortable eating her meals unless I literally hold the food bowl for her and encourage her.
- She likes to be outside, and has learned how to use the doggie door when she wants to go outdoors. A backyard area will make it much easier for Willow to be outside to potty and get some exercise.
- She is a high flight risk! She’s easily startled & frightened over unfamiliar people, places, or sounds, and her response may be to flee.
- She has not been on walks because they are so terrifying for her. She needs to be accompanied by a fellow dog that she knows and trusts, and started very gradually..
- When she’s indoors, she barks at unexpected (for her) sounds from inside & outside. At night she barks at light reflections on the sliding glass door, then goes outside on the patio to bark & howl some more. Daytime barking is intermittent and short-lived, but at night her outdoor barking can be prolonged.
- Willow uses the doggie door - in and out - all day long, and poops and pees outside. However, she also engages in fear response behavior - occasionally peeing on the couch and on the bed, depending on what makes her fearful. I’ve been covering those areas with waterproof blankets to protect those areas.
- She is timid about going into other parts of the house until she becomes familiar with them.
- When everything is calm and quiet around us, she has periods of relaxation, but with any unusual or startling noise she automatically becomes more fearful.
- She is slowly learning to trust people she sees on a regular basis, but still can be nervous about things unknown. Her response may be to freeze up like a statue, not knowing what will come next, or to flee. Eventually, though, she warms up to frequent visitors & people who are regularly in her life.
- Willow is very observant, and always keeps her eyes on me and the other dogs.
- There are moments when she appears to act like a normal dog, running around the yard, wagging her tail, and giving hints of the dog she hs the potential to become.
- Another thing we learned from the Envigo Beagle Care Guide: “We find it is extremely beneficial to have another well-adjusted dog in the home to model behavior for your new survivor on how to be a “dog.” Willow really loves other dogs and craves dog companionship. She loves being near them, laying near them, playing with them, running around the aired with them, napping with them & snuggling with them.
- She’s getting better about meeting new people (adult friends/relatives) in a safe environment. A recent new visitor gave Willow and the other dogs treats on the patio, then moved indoors to sit on the couch and gave more treats. Willow eventually settled in to be pet, and manifested a calm energy.
Our dream for Willow is that she’ll find an adopter who will have the time, patience and resources to meet these challenges - to help Willow become the dog that she is meant to be!
If you think you might be that person, we thank you, and ask that you start by taking a few minutes to read the “Care Guide for Envigo Beagles” before beginning the adoption application purposes. After your application has been submitted, we will be happy to answer any questions you might have.
*** WILLOW HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!! ***
12/14 - WILLOW AND HER FRIEND NELLIE BELLE
10/6 - WILLOW TAKES SOME BRAVE NEW STEPS!!
Having things around her neck is frightening to Willow. Following her spay surgery, we’re trying the more comfortable Wonder Suit to protect her stitches.
8/31/22 - FOUR ENVIGO BEAGLES - ALL YOUNG FEMALES - ON THEIR WAY FROM San Diego TO CAMP COCKER RESCUE TO PREPARE FOR ADOPTION!
********************************************** MORE VALUABLE INFORMATION FROM WILLOW’S 10/2/22 FACEBOOK POST! **********************************************
We rely 100% on all of our support in the form of small donations. We run on $5 donations and volunteers! Please consider donating just $5 so we can get on top of our mounting medical bills and rescue more dogs in need!