Stop Ridglan From Sending 2,500 Beagles Into More Suffering

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Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site

Thousands of terrified beagles stand moments away from being sold into more experiments unless Wisconsin officials act now.

Stop Ridglan From Sending 2,500 Beagles Into More Suffering

Ridglan Farms, one of the largest suppliers of beagles for laboratory testing in the United States, is finally shutting down its dog-breeding-for-sale operations after a years-long animal-cruelty investigation1. For the thousands of dogs who have spent their lives in stacked wire cages, this should be the moment they are freed from suffering. Instead, Ridglan plans to sell its remaining 2,500 dogs to research labs before closing2.

These beagles have already endured isolation, fear, and painful procedures. Former employees described dogs undergoing surgeries without anesthesia and living in windowless sheds where waste collected beneath their feet1. Investigators found beagles spinning from stress, pacing endlessly, and trapped in rows of cramped cages3.

A special prosecutor found evidence of violations, and Wisconsin officials required Ridglan to surrender its breeding license by July 1, 20263. But the agreement still allows the facility to sell every dog it has left. Without intervention, these beagles will simply be transferred from one form of cruelty to another.

Beagles Deserve Rescue, Not More Pain

Beagles are used in research because of their gentle and trusting nature. They still wag their tails even after harm. That trust should not condemn them to more experiments. Rescue organizations stand ready today to take every remaining Ridglan beagle, provide care, and place them in safe homes. They have already done this successfully for thousands of dogs released from other facilities.

Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has the authority to prevent these dogs from disappearing into laboratories. Advocates have pressed state leaders for years to address the conditions at Ridglan and protect the animals inside4. Now that the facility is closing, officials must finish the job by ensuring these dogs are released to adoption programs.

Wisconsin Must Act Before the Dogs Are Sold

There is a narrow window to stop Ridglan from sending its remaining beagles into more experiments. Officials can direct the facility to surrender the dogs to licensed rescue groups instead of selling them. Doing so would spare thousands of animals from further trauma and give them their first chance at a real life.

For decades, Ridglan’s beagles have known only cages, metal floors, and the sound of constant barking. They deserve grass, sunlight, beds, families, and the freedom to live without fear. The decision Wisconsin makes now will determine whether these dogs enter loving homes or vanish into research pipelines.

Urge Wisconsin officials to ensure every Ridglan Farms beagle is released to adoption — not sold to laboratories. Sign the petition today.

More on this issue:

  1. Marina Bolotnikova, Vox (2 November 2025), “We love dogs as family. We also experiment on them. Will it come to an end?.”
  2. Anya van Wagtendonk, Wisconsin Public Radio (31 October 2025), “Dane County beagle breeding operation to close after animal cruelty investigation.”
  3. Bryan Polcyn & FOX6 News Digital Team, FOX6 News Milwaukee (28 October 2025), “Wisconsin dog breeder to give up license to avoid criminal charges.”
  4. Corey Moen, Channel 3000 (28 October 2025), “Ridglan Farms closing beagle breeding facility.”
  5. Aly Prouty & Nathan Phelps, Spectrum News 1 (29 October 2025), “Ridglan Farms agrees to stop breeding dogs to be sold for research.”

The Petition

To the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

After years of tireless advocacy, a major step forward for animal welfare is finally at hand. Ridglan Farms — one of the nation’s largest suppliers of beagles for laboratory testing — will shut down its dog-breeding-for-sale operations. This decision follows years of serious concerns about animal mistreatment and a special prosecutor’s investigation into alleged cruelty.

But despite this long-awaited progress, a heartbreaking injustice remains: Ridglan Farms still intends to sell roughly 2,500 remaining beagles to research laboratories before closing its commercial breeding division. These dogs have already spent their lives confined to narrow cages, deprived of normal comfort, companionship, and the freedom every animal deserves. Sending them into further suffering is neither ethical nor necessary.

We urge the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to intervene immediately to protect these dogs from additional harm. The state has both the moral authority and responsibility to ensure that the closure of Ridglan Farms does not result in thousands of beagles being funneled into new experiments that will prolong their pain.

Beagles are chosen for research because of their gentle and trusting temperaments. It is precisely this trusting nature that makes it imperative that Wisconsin officials act now. These dogs have endured enough. They should not be rewarded for their docility with another chapter of fear, isolation, and invasive procedures.

Across the country, rescue organizations stand fully prepared to take these beagles in, provide veterinary care, and place them in loving adoptive homes. They have done so successfully with thousands of dogs released from other research facilities. These groups are ready today to coordinate safe and humane placement for every single Ridglan beagle — but they cannot do so without action from Wisconsin regulators.

We respectfully request that DATCP:

  1. Prohibit the sale of remaining Ridglan Farms dogs to research laboratories.
  2. Require that all remaining beagles be transferred to licensed rescue and adoption partners.
  3. Ensure transparency and oversight during the transition to protect the welfare of every dog.

Wisconsin has an opportunity to lead with compassion, resolve years of documented suffering, and allow these dogs to experience life outside a cage for the first time. By acting now, state officials can transform a troubling legacy into a humane future — one where these beagles finally know safety, comfort, and love.

These actions will not only save thousands of lives but will also move Wisconsin toward a kinder, more responsible future for all animals.

Sincerely,

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