1,500 Beagles Getting Freed from Ridglan Farms – But 500-700 Remain in Legal Limbo

The battle for the beagles at Ridglan Farms has reached a staggering turning point. Following years of sustained public pressure and documented evidence of cruelty, a massive rescue operation is finally underway. However, despite what is being called a historic breakthrough, approximately 500 dogs remain on site, their future caught in a legal gray area created by the interaction between state breeding restrictions and federal USDA research licensing.

The First Moments of Freedom

The rescue became a reality on Friday, May 1, 2026, as the first van loads of beagles began leaving the Blue Mounds facility. In scenes described by witness accounts as deeply emotional, the dogs – many of whom had spent their entire lives on wire flooring in windowless sheds – touched grass and experienced sunlight for the first time at a staging area in Wisconsin.

According to Lauree Simmons, president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the dogs’ resilience was immediate. “They started within an hour or so coming up to us, wanting attention. Some crawled in people’s laps. Every single one of them are super sweet,” Simmons said. “I just know they know they’re safe.”

A Guaranteed “No-Kill” Future

A vital detail for supporters is that this is a no-kill rescue mission. The lead organizations, including Big Dog Ranch Rescue (the nation’s largest no-kill, cage-free facility) and the Beagle Freedom Project, have committed to caring for these dogs for as long as it takes. No dog from this rescue will ever be euthanized due to a lack of space or the time it takes to rehabilitate them from their life in the lab.

Outpouring of Support: Adoption and Volunteer Status

The community response has been so overwhelming that organizations are struggling to keep up with the volume of interest. As of May 8th, here is the current status:

• Beagle Freedom Project (BFP): They have officially closed adoption applications for this specific group but are seeking “cruelty-free” foster homes for other survivors.
• Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS): Welcoming 120 beagles and in high need of foster homes.
• Dane County Humane Society (DCHS): Managing intake for 500 beagles and seeking volunteers for socialization.
• Tri-County Humane Society: Staff are preparing for evaluations and rehoming in the St. Cloud, MN area starting the week of May 14.

How to Support the Rescue (Donation Links)

Caring for 1,500 dogs with significant medical needs is a massive undertaking. You can support them directly here:

• Medical & Care (Wisconsin Humane Society): wihumane.me/Beagles2026
• Rehabilitation (Beagle Freedom Project): bfp.org/donate
• National Logistics (Big Dog Ranch Rescue): bdrr.org/donate
• Legal Defense (Center for a Humane Economy): Support the Legal Fund

The April 2026 Agreement: 1,500 Lives Secured

This representing the largest coordinated removal of dogs in the facility’s 60-year history. The deal follows evidence of eye procedures that a special prosecutor determined violated state veterinary standards. As Simmons noted, beagles are often targeted because they are “docile and forgiving,” making the betrayal of their trust at Ridglan particularly egregious.

The “Uncertain 500” and the Path to July 1st

While 1,500 are safe, approximately 500 to 700 dogs remain inside. Ridglan is set to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, to avoid felony charges, but they still hold a federal USDA license as a research facility. This effectively allows them to retain the remaining dogs for on-site research.

Advocates, including Wayne Pacelle and Wayne Hsiung, remain vigilant. Hsiung, who faces charges for a March “open rescue,” recently noted that the volume of evidence in this case is unprecedented. The mission remains unfinished until every cage is empty.

This is an update post to: Save the Beagles: Inside the Fight to Free 2,000 Dogs from Ridglan Farms

Facebook post:

Yesterday I flew home with Chester, a beagle who came out of a cage in Ridglan Farms just Tuesday morning. After he arrived off of the rescue van, he put his paws on my chest and wrapped his arms around my arm. He clung to me, and I knew I couldn’t let him go. He spent his first night in a house on Tuesday night, sleeping in a bed under the blankets. He’s finally starting to feel safe and cared for.

Chester is one of 1,500 beagles who we are in the process of rescuing from Ridglan’s animal testing and breeding facility after rescue groups secured a deal for their release. I spent the past few days in Wisconsin assisting Big Dog Ranch Rescue in the rescue of 400 of these dogs.

As these beagles come off of the vans at the rescue property, they are tense and terrified. They’re just bracing for someone to hurt them. Everything is new to them and they are easily startled. They’ve never felt grass, soft blankets or sun on their skin.

1,000 of the dogs have made it out of Ridglan so far. Beagle Freedom Project will be removing around 500 next week.

The release of the final ~500 dogs living at Ridglan is still being negotiated. I am hopeful that they will all make it out and that the momentum from this historic victory will help fuel the end of all animal experimentation.

–Zoe Rosenberg