It all started with a love for Beagles. My name is Craig Hansen, together with my co-founder Ketty Ji and a devoted group of Beagle lovers, we founded Utah Beagle Rescue. For Ketty and I, our passion for Beagles began in childhood, inspired by the famous cartoon character, Snoopy. But as we grew older, we realized the magic of Beagles was about so much more than a cartoon. Their sweet personalities, their deep loyalty, and their affectionate nature made them the most special companions we could ever imagine.
However, as we came to understand the breed more, we also became aware of the heartbreaking reality many Beagles were facing. We learned far too many were subjected to cruelty, some tortured in testing laboratories, others abandoned by owners who didn’t understand the breed or treated them as disposable, and far too many were trapped in the nightmarish conditions of puppy mills. The thought of these innocent Beagles suffering without anyone to help them broke our hearts. We knew, in that moment, we had to do something to make a difference.
Starting Utah Beagle Rescue was challenging because we had no funding or resources. However, with the help of dedicated, unpaid volunteers, we began rescuing Beagles, one by one. Each dog saved was a victory, and each adoption brought us closer to our goal of giving these dogs a better life. We also began to educate the public about the unique needs of Beagles, helping people understand how to care for them and the importance of responsible pet ownership.
What began as a dream has now blossomed into a thriving rescue organization. We’ve helped so many Beagles find homes filled with love, care, and joy. For all of us at Utah Beagle Rescue, this work is more than just a mission, it’s our passion, our calling!
