Stauber Calls for Investigation into Potential Abuse of Paycheck Protection Program Funds by Animal Testing Contractor and Breeder

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) recently sent a letter to the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration (SBA), requesting that his office investigate potential fraud and abuse of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds by the animal testing contractor and beagle breeder Envigo.

In 2020, Envigo was awarded $11 million in PPP loans to help retain staff during the COVID pandemic. After these funds were awarded, Envigo’s breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia was investigated by federal authorities, and it was determined that the facility seriously mistreated thousands of beagles because “the facility was understaffed.”

“The understaffing that led to the abuse of thousands of beagles is not just abhorrent, but it also raises serious questions on how exactly Envigo spent the PPP funds they were allotted,” said Congressman Stauber. “False statements in connection with a PPP loan application may be a felony, so I am calling on the SBA’s Inspector General to investigate the facts and circumstances of this case. We must hold those who took advantage of PPP funds at the expense of innocent animals accountable.”

Read the full letter HERE.

During the investigation, federal inspectors found that over 5,000 beagles at Envigo were confined in filthy, decrepit conditions and were neglected. Hundreds of puppies and dogs died. In 2024, Envigo pled guilty and were ordered to pay $35 million in penalties for their willing violations of the Animal Welfare Act and Clean Water Act.

Despite all this, an analysis by White Coat Waste found that since 2021 and to this day, Envigo has received over $96 million in taxpayer-funded animal testing contracts and subcontracts from the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Veterans Affairs, NASA, and the Pentagon.

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