Ridgelan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin, announced its permanent closure on Monday, June 16 [1].

The shutdown marks a significant victory for animal-rights advocates who have spent years protesting the use of beagles in medical research. The closure signals a shifting public and corporate tolerance for the breeding of animals specifically for laboratory testing.

As part of the closure, 475 remaining dogs are being transferred to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a rescue group based in Florida [3]. The facility had been in operation for nearly 60 years [4].

Lauree Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, said, "Not one dog will remain. No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything" [1].

The decision follows a period of intensified pressure from activists. This past Saturday, organizers held a peaceful protest outside the Ridgelan Farms facility to call for the release of the dogs [5]. These demonstrations were part of a broader campaign against the facility's role in the research supply chain.

Ridgelan Farms had served as a primary source of beagles for research purposes for decades. The transfer to Florida is intended to ensure that all remaining animals are transitioned into rescue care rather than continuing in a research environment [1, 3].

While the facility is closing, the move highlights the ongoing tension between the medical research industry and animal welfare organizations. The scale of the transfer, nearly 500 dogs, underscores the volume of animals typically maintained at such breeding sites [3].

“Not one dog will remain. No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.”

The closure of Ridgelan Farms reflects a growing trend of institutional shifts away from canine research due to sustained public pressure and ethical campaigns. By moving the animals to a private rescue rather than another facility, the event emphasizes a transition from a utility-based breeding model to a welfare-based adoption model.