1,500 Beagles Are Leaving Ridglan:
Help us save them now

1. What is Ridglan Farms?

Ridglan Farms is a large-scale dog breeding facility in Wisconsin that has supplied beagles for biomedical research. The operation housed roughly 2,000 dogs at a time and bred puppies specifically for laboratory use.

2. Why were the beagles released?

The release follows years of concern and advocacy related to the treatment of dogs at the facility and the broader use of animals in research. Investigations, legal pressure, and public awareness campaigns helped drive momentum for removing the dogs and ending their pipeline into laboratories.

3. What about the remaining dogs?

Not all dogs at the facility were included in the agreement. Some dogs may remain, and their future is still uncertain. Advocacy efforts are ongoing to secure their release as well.

First, we want to be transparent: the agreement we reached with Ridglan Farms allows for the release of more than a thousand beagles. This was the result of intensive negotiations over several weeks, and it represents one of the largest single transfers of dogs from a research-breeding facility ever undertaken.

Of course, we pushed to secure the release of as many dogs as possible. While we share the public’s concern for every animal still at the facility, the reality is that these agreements require compromise. Without this negotiated outcome, it is very possible that none of these dogs would have been released at all.

Rescuing this many dogs is not just meaningful — it is life-changing for each one of those animals. These dogs will experience grass under their paws, human affection, proper veterinary care, and loving homes — many for the first time in their lives.

At the same time, this rescue is an enormous logistical and financial undertaking. Our immediate responsibility is to ensure that every one of these dogs receives:

• Safe transport
• Medical care and rehabilitation
• Placement with qualified rescue partners
• Loving, permanent homes

We must stay focused on doing this right.

While this agreement does not include all the dogs at Ridglan Farms, this is not the end of the story.

We remain committed to:

• Continuing dialogue with Ridglan Farms about future releases
• Working with partners to create additional pathways to safety
• Advancing policy and scientific reforms to reduce and ultimately end the breeding of dogs for laboratory use

As noted in our partner statement, “no beagle left behind is our aspiration.”

We understand the concern and urgency people feel for the remaining dogs. We feel it too.

But meaningful progress often happens step by step. This agreement allows us to save 1,500 lives right now — and that is something we could not risk losing by pushing beyond what was achievable in this moment.

We will continue fighting for the others. And we will keep you informed every step of the way.

4. Where are the rescued dogs going?

The dogs are being transported to partner rescue organizations and facilities across the country, including locations operated by Big Dog Ranch Rescue. From there, they will be distributed to shelters and adoption partners nationwide.

More information about adoption may be available from these key partners:

• Big Dog Ranch Rescue — Florida
• Dane County Humane Society — Wisconsin
• Beagle Freedom Project — California