SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) – Thousands of beagles who were abused neglected at a breeding facility in Virginia are on their way to finding new homes.

“We’re really honored to play a part of these beagles final destination to our state to find them wonderful homes here,” said Jeana Roth with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

After surviving deplorable conditions, 100 of the 4,000 beagles that were rescued arrived in Maine Sunday morning.

A major effort on a local and national level to help these thousands of dogs.

“This was an historic effort. I mean 4,000 dogs all at once, over the course of six weeks? Nothing like that has ever been under taken,” said Katie Hansberry, Maine State Director of United State Humane Society.

Investigators say the Envigo facility in Cumberland Virginia had been legally breeding and selling beagles to laboratories for animal experimentation.

But government officials found numerous violations against the Animal Welfare Act at the facility.

“Nursing mothers being denied food,” said Hansberry. “Food that was provided was contaminated with mold, maggots, and feces. Over the period of eight weeks, there were 25 puppies that died because of their exposure to the cold.”

All 100 beagles are being distributed to nine different animal shelters here in Maine.

25 of them to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, and all 25 of those have a foster home already.

“I’m just so grateful for their help on this monumental undertaking,” said Hansberry.

Animal welfare organizations advocated to bring some of these dogs specifically to Maine.

“Mainers love their animals. They love their dogs. They’re treated like family here. So, I think we will have no issues finding these beagles wonderful homes where they’re cherished and that they have the life that they deserve to have,” said Roth.

These beagles will have to quarantine for two weeks before being available for adoption.

For adoption details, contact any of the shelters that helped take in these dogs.

Those organizations are: Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook, Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Franklin County Humane Society in Farmington, Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston, Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta, PAWS Animal Adoption Center in Camden, Pope Memorial Humane Society in Thomaston, Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills in South Paris, and Tall Tails Beagle Rescue in Mechanic Falls.