BEAGLE FREEDOM PROJECT WINS $500K IN MICROSOFT WINDOWS GLOBAL VOTING CONTEST

National Rescue Org. Tops 2000 Other Charities in Month-long Social Media Voting Competition with help from A-List Celebrities

Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) was announced as the 10th global non-profit organizational partner for the Upgrade Your World Initiative by Microsoft Windows. The software giant announced the charitable social media voting contest to celebrate the launch of Windows 10. The animal advocacy organization wins $500,000 and a combination of Microsoft technology, services, and promotional support.

BFP is an internationally renowned laboratory animal rescue and advocacy organization. In its four years, it has rescued over 500 animals from laboratories in 35 states and 6 countries. The majority of the animals saved from experiments are beagles, the breed of choice for researchers because of their calm and forgiving nature. These emotionally poignant rescue missions raise awareness about animal testing and encourage cruelty-free lifestyle choices.

BFP competed against 2000 other non-profit organizations and garnered the most votes by successfully shepherding its sizable social media audience and was significantly aided by its celebrity supporters. Led by the organization's favorite famous friend, musician Sia Furler, scores of A-List celebrities got on board and encouraged their fans to help out, including Ellen DeGeneres, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Kendall Jenner, Chelsea Handler, Whitney Cummings, Diplo, Portia De Rossi, and dozens more.

"We are so thrilled and grateful to not only our supporters and celebrity allies for voting for Beagle Freedom Project as their favorite charity, but also for Microsoft for this opportunity and incredible generosity," says Shannon Keith, President of BFP.

The organization will use the funds to pay for expenses associated with the rescue of animals from experiments, which often requires costly veterinary visits to help with their physical and psychological injuries. Additionally, BFP is purchasing a Hollywood based rescue and outreach center to use in advocacy for modern testing free of animal suffering.

Ms. Keith also states, "Beagle Freedom Project is at the forefront of the effort to replace outdated animal testing with our educational campaigns and Cruelty-Cutter smartphone app. We are proud to partner with Microsoft to tackle this important societal issue. It will literally be life-changing for many animals still unnecessarily stuck in cages."

Visuals: Celebrity social media posts; or contact Beagle Freedom Project.

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