An Alsager woman has revealed how she spent time volunteering with an American dog rescue centre and is now raising awareness of choosing cruelty-free products.

Alex Ashman has shared her experience volunteering at the Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida to raise awareness of the issues and to encourage people to buy cruelty-free brands.

And now Alex is brainstorming the idea of running a cruelty-free awareness event later in the year with support from some big cruelty-free brands and supporters in the UK.

Alex volunteered at the Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida working with beagles rescued from Ridglan Farms in America.

She said: "I've always had a real passion for dogs, particularly beagles, and after following the rescue of the former Ridglan laboratory beagles in the USA, I was invited to travel to Florida to volunteer with Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

"After learning more about me, my work with dogs and my passion for animal welfare, they welcomed me into the Big Dog Ranch Rescue family with open arms.

"During my time there, I met many of the rescued beagles, learned about their rehabilitation and heard first-hand the stories behind their rescue.

"It was one of the most emotional and inspiring experiences of my life and completely changed the way I look at animal testing and cruelty-free choices.

"Meeting these beautiful dogs was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Some had already started to gain confidence and enjoy life for the first time, while others remained incredibly frightened and withdrawn.

"Every rescued beagle had an identification tattoo in its ear, and many were still receiving veterinary treatment. Helping care for them and witnessing first-hand what they had endured is something I'll never forget."

Alex added: "The experience has strengthened my determination to raise awareness that laboratory breeding of animals is still happening.

"Many people simply don't realise that here in the UK there's company which breeds around 2,000 beagles every year for laboratory research.

"We're a nation of dog lovers, and I believe many people would be shocked to learn this is still taking place."

Alex added: "Since returning to the UK, I've also been contacted by Save the Dogs UK, an organisation campaigning to end the breeding of dogs for laboratory testing in the UK.

"Their current campaign focuses a breeding facility which breeds and sells around 2,000 beagle puppies every year for laboratory research.

"I'm sharing my experience to help raise awareness of their campaign."

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