Ridglan Farms beagles released: First vans carry 300 dogs from Wisconsin breeding facility as nationwide rescues prepare for mass rehoming
About 1,500 beagles are being relocated from Ridglan Farms near Marshall, Wisconsin, in a multi-day rescue led by Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy, with dogs receiving exams, vaccines and behavior evaluations before rehoming.
Key takeaways
- First wave: ~300 beagles were moved Friday after veterinary checks, vaccinations and Benadryl to reduce travel reactions (Video report; local coverage).
- Purchase agreement: Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy co-purchased roughly 1,500 of the facility’s estimated 2,000–2,200 dogs to place into rescue and adoption pipelines.
- Processing and placement: Dogs will get medical exams, microchips, vaccinations and behavior evaluations before foster care or adoption; local groups will take large intakes (Dane County Humane Society plans 500 on May 11).
What happened Friday: the first vans leave
On Friday, volunteers and rescue staff loaded about 300 beagles into transport vans at the Ridglan Farms property near Marshall. Each dog was veterinarian-screened, vaccinated and given Benadryl to help prevent allergic or travel-related reactions. The transports marked the start of a multi-day effort expected to stretch at least 10 days.
Deal to buy the dogs and prepare them for homes
Big Dog Ranch Rescue, led by Lauree Simmons, and the Center for a Humane Economy, led by Wayne Pacelle, reached an agreement to purchase roughly 1,500 beagles from the facility. The purchase price was not disclosed. Under the plan, each dog will receive a full medical exam, microchip, vaccinations and behavioral evaluations before being screened for adoption.
“It’s a very big win and I am ecstatic to have these dogs out and get them into loving homes,” said Lauree Simmons, president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
Simmons cautioned many dogs will need basic training—leash-walking and housebreaking are common first steps after years in kennels.
Background: Ridglan Farms and long-running controversy
Ridglan Farms bred beagles for scientific research for more than 60 years, supplying animals to laboratories and biomedical programs. Animal welfare groups had long accused the facility of mistreatment and enabling painful experiments; Ridglan denied abuse, saying its work supported biomedical advances.
A special prosecutor found that certain eye procedures performed at the facility violated state veterinary standards; the facility agreed in a settlement to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, avoiding criminal prosecution but drawing calls for stronger oversight.
Legal and settlement context
The transfer follows years of legal fights and activism. In January 2025, a Dane County judge found probable cause for animal cruelty related to some procedures at Ridglan, but a special prosecutor later chose not to pursue criminal charges. Instead, the settlement included license surrender and terms designed to stop Ridglan from breeding dogs for research.
Political and policy reaction
Days before the release, Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R-N.Y.) urged HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya in a letter dated April 24 to stop federal funding for research using dogs sourced from Ridglan. The move signals growing scrutiny in Washington over federal dollars, ethical sourcing and oversight.
Who is involved
- Big Dog Ranch Rescue (Lauree Simmons): Major buyer and coordinator for many transports.
- Center for a Humane Economy (Wayne Pacelle): Co-buyer and partner in placing dogs with shelters like Dane County Humane Society.
- Beagle Freedom Project: Overseeing placement efforts and coordinating hundreds of beagle placements.
- Dane County Humane Society and Wisconsin Humane Society: Local partners receiving and processing large numbers for adoption in Wisconsin.
What adopters and shelters should expect
Many of the beagles will require socialization and basic training—learning to walk on a leash, housebreaking and adjusting to household sounds and routines. Medical exams and microchips will track health and history as animals move into foster care or adoption programs.
Donations, fosters and volunteers are urgently needed. Interested adopters and fosters should apply through Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Dane County Humane Society or Wisconsin Humane Society. See the on-the-ground Video report and local coverage for more details.
Ridglan Farms Beagles Released — wider context for research and ethics
The transfer moves debate from kennels to nationwide shelters. Advocates view the move as a win for animal welfare, while researchers and institutions that used Ridglan dogs must address questions about supply, oversight and sourcing standards. Lawmakers’ efforts to cut off federal dollars tied to Ridglan underline the political and ethical stakes.
Implications for Utah
Economic impact: Utah shelters and rescues could see some beagles transferred across state lines, creating intake and medical costs and increased need for foster support and donations.
Political consequences: Utah officials who oversee research institutions or receive federal grants may face pressure to tighten sourcing policies or explain animal welfare safeguards after heightened scrutiny in Washington.
Social and cultural effects: Utah families may find opportunities to adopt; local charities, faith-based groups and volunteers could play a major role in fostering and supporting placements.
Practical steps for Utah residents: watch national rescue sites and local shelter pages for listings, contact Big Dog Ranch Rescue or the Beagle Freedom Project, and be prepared to donate or foster when transfer alerts appear.
