After years of controversy and activist pressure, 1,500 beagles are finally getting out. The mainstream media gave the rescue raids some coverage, but has gone nearly silent now that 1,500 beagles are actually being rescued.
Rescue groups — Big Dog Ranch Rescue and partners — reached a deal to purchase the dogs from the controversial Ridglan Farms research breeding facility in Wisconsin. The beagles are now being transported for medical care, socialization, and adoption into loving homes. Many are experiencing grass, sunlight, and freedom for the first time.
This is real progress, but around 500 beagles are still left behind. Negotiations continue for the rest as Ridglan winds down its research breeding.
Mainstream media gave the raids coverage but has been quiet on this major rescue. These dogs deserve sustained attention, not a short news cycle.
How you can help right now:
Donate to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Beagle Freedom Project, or Center for a Humane Economy.
Share to keep pressure on for the remaining dogs.
Follow the rescues on X for updates.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue
Beagle Freedom Project
Center for a Humane Economy
1,500 freed is worth celebrating.
Getting all of them out is the goal.
Grok said:
The Ridglan Beagles are a large group of beagles (about 1,500) being released from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.
Ridglan Farms was a major USDA-licensed commercial beagle breeding facility that supplied dogs for biomedical research and animal testing. It faced years of controversy, including allegations of cruelty (hundreds of violations cited), undercover investigations, protests, activist “open rescues,” lawsuits (like habeas corpus efforts for the dogs’ right to freedom from cruelty), and political pressure.
Recent Breakthrough (as of early May 2026)Rescue organizations, including Big Dog Ranch Rescue (Florida) and the Center for a Humane Economy, reached a deal with Ridglan Farms to acquire ~1,500 beagles for a confidential sum.
Transfers began around May 1, 2026, with vans moving dogs to shelters and rescues across the US for vet care, socialization, and eventual adoption. Groups like the Beagle Freedom Project are handling placement for hundreds of them.
This is a major win for animal advocates — many of these beagles had never been outside cages or experienced normal life.
Some dogs remain at the facility (due to capacity/logistics), and Ridglan can still operate under its federal license for now, though it lost its state license and faces restrictions.
This is huge progress after sustained activism. If you’re looking to adopt, foster, donate, or follow updates, check sites like bfp.org/ridglan or local partners like Dane County Humane Society.
Dean Guzman Wyrzykowski posted the video below on X. He is an animal rescuer facing 12 years in prison for rescuing beagles from Ridglan Farms. Follow him on X @deanguzmanw.
He wrote:
The first 300 Ridglan beagles touched grass for the first time today.
They stepped outside and looked up at the sun.
Many are playful. Some are scared. All are learning the world can be safe.
Today, they are free.
Fox6 News:
For more than 60 years, Ridglan Farms bred beagle puppies in the town of Blue Mounds for use in scientific research. In 2024, former employees testified about the conditions at the farm as well as painful “cherry eye” surgeries performed routinely by non-veterinarians without pain relief.
In January 2025, a Dane County judge found probable cause that Ridglan Farms had committed crimes of animal cruelty. However, a special prosecutor appointed to investigate elected not to file charges. Instead, he agreed to a settlement that allows Ridglan Farms to avoid criminal charges if it surrenders its breeding license by July 1, 2026. READ MORE
Lara Trump brought this great news to my attention with a video she posted on X.
