Wisconsin Beagle Research Facility Closes, Rescue Group Takes In All Dogs

Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin-based facility that bred beagles for research and testing, is permanently closing its doors, with all remaining 475 dogs being transferred to Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

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Not one dog will remain.

The announcement comes after years of intense opposition and protests from animal welfare activists. The facility, located in Blue Mounds, has been the site of recent demonstrations, including a large-scale protest in April where activists attempted to remove beagles, leading to dozens of arrests. Protesters had previously been arrested in March for breaking into the facility and taking 30 dogs.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue, founded by Lauree Simmons, has reached an agreement for the permanent closure of Ridglan Farms. Simmons stated that "Not one dog will remain," signaling an end to breeding, testing, and sales operations at the facility. The rescue group previously purchased approximately 1,500 of the facility's beagles in April.

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No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.

Starting this week, approximately 200 dogs will be transferred, with another 125 scheduled for Tuesday. The remaining puppies will be moved in August. Simmons urged protesters to cease demonstrations, emphasizing that the focus should now be on supporting the dogs' transition into new lives where they can experience safety and normalcy.

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Our focus now should be on supporting these dogs as they transition into their new lives.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, called the deal a "major win for animal welfare." Ridglan Farms, in a statement, described the dogs as "happy, healthy animals" and expressed hope that the "years-long harassment campaign" against the facility would end. Beagles are commonly used in animal testing due to their docile nature and small size.

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These dogs will get to experience safety and a normal life for the first time.