Wisconsin Beagle Farm Closing and Hundreds of Its Dogs Will Be Sent to a Florida Rescue Group
Advocates said the last 475 beagles will move to rescue partners as the breeder winds down operations after a 2025 settlement.
- On Monday, Ridglan Farms, a Dane County beagle breeding facility, announced it will permanently close following an agreement to transfer its remaining 475 beagles to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, based in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida.
- Facing felony animal mistreatment charges for performing eye gland surgeries without anesthesia, Ridglan agreed in October 2025 to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, to avoid prosecution.
- Big Dog Ranch Rescue began transferring 325 beagles on Monday, with the final 150 scheduled for release by August, completing the relocation of more than 2,000 dogs since April.
- Lauree Simmons, founder and CEO of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, requested that the public cease protests against the facility, its owners, and employees as operations wind down.
- The Center for a Humane Economy hopes this closure accelerates the end of animal testing in the U.S., prioritizing transition to human-relevant testing methods over invasive procedures on dogs.
70 Articles
70 Articles
Wisconsin beagle research facility is closing as rescue group takes in dogs
A Wisconsin beagle breeding and research facility that’s been the site of recent violent protests is closing, and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group. Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Monday that it has reached an agreement for the permanent closure of Ridglan Farms and the transfer of its 475 remaining beagles starting this week. “Not one dog will remain,” Lauree Simmons, the group’s founder, said in a news conference …
Idaho Press
Wisconsin beagle research facility that drew protests is closing as rescue group takes in dogs
A Wisconsin beagle research facility that’s drawn animal welfare protests is closing and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group. Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Monday that it has reached an agreement for the permanent…
Beagle Farm Stormed by Activists Is Closing Down
A Wisconsin beagle breeding farm that's been the site of recent violent protests is closing, and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group. Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Monday that it has reached an agreement for the permanent closure of Ridglan Farms and the transfer...
Big Dog Ranch Rescue says remaining beagles to be freed from Wisconsin lab
Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves and the Center for a Humane Economy announced on Monday that 475 beagles remaining at a Wisconsin research lab are about to be freed because the facility, Ridglan Farms, is closing permanently. Many will come to South Florida.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue says animal research lab to close, remaining beagles to be freed
Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves and the Center for a Humane Economy announced on Monday that 475 beagles remaining at a Wisconsin research lab are about to be freed because the facility, Ridglan Farms, is closing permanently. Many will come to South Florida.
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