MIDDLETON, Wis. — Two animal welfare organizations have purchased 1,500 beagles from an embattled Blue Mounds breeding facility, launching a massive rescue operation that begins Friday and involves more than 50 partner organizations across the country.

The Center for a Humane Economy and Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Thursday they reached an accord with Ridglan Farms to obtain the beagles through a monetary agreement. The rescue will proceed for 10 days, with 500 dogs remaining in Wisconsin and 1,000 transported to rescue partners nationwide.

“We wanted a structured, responsible plan that guarantees every one of these dogs is safely transitioned into the care of a reputable, fully vetted rescue organization,” said Laurie Simmons, president and founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue. “All of this while being prepared for their future and loving homes.”

The Dane County Humane Society will stage 500 of the beagles, working with the Beagle Freedom Project, Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies. About 50 dogs are expected to be available for adoption at the Dane County Humane Society in the coming weeks.

“We know right now, shelters and rescues everywhere are already full of animals. No one group can do this alone,” said Amy Good, DCHS Director of Development and Marketing. “We’re anticipating at least 50 will be up for adoption at Dane County Humane Society in the coming weeks.”

Big Dog Ranch Rescue will handle 1,000 beagles, with 300 going directly to campuses in Florida and Alabama and 700 placed with rescue partners. The organization will serve as a safety net for dogs that rescue partners cannot handle due to medical or behavioral needs.

The rescue comes after years of activism targeting Ridglan Farms. Animal rights activists have pointed to hundreds of state code violations and a settlement agreement requiring the company to surrender its state breeding license by July 1 in exchange for not being charged with felony animal abuse.

Recent incidents escalated tensions, including a March 15 break-in where activists took 22 dogs and an April 18 demonstration involving 1,000 activists that resulted in about 80 arrests.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, said the organizations acted quickly due to the July 1 deadline.

“We were cognizant that there was a settlement agreement that was going to cause Ridglan to terminate its sales of beagles by July 1st,” Pacelle said. “This guarantees them the safest circumstance over not just these next few months, but also in the months beyond July 1st.”

The rescue is part of a broader push to end animal testing. Pacelle cited the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, passed in 2022, which eliminated animal testing mandates that had been in place since 1938.

“We cannot rescue our way out of these problems. We need front end solutions in order to protect these animals from treatment,” Pacelle said. “When you have superior alternatives, you must choose them because the animals’ lives matter.”

Advocates point to a 92% failure rate of animal tests and are pushing for modern alternatives like organs-on-a-chip technology and AI-based testing methods.

“This isn’t just about animal welfare. It’s about better science to be smarter, more humane innovation without causing harm to innocent animals,” Simmons said.

The beagles will require extensive medical care and time to adjust before becoming ready for adoption. Rescue organizers emphasize potential adopters must be patient.

“People will need to be very patient. Some could take months, some could take longer,” Simmons said. “Being prepared to have the patience, get the love, earn that trust to these dogs is very important for each person considering to give one of these dogs a home.”

An estimated 500 dogs remain at Ridglan Farms. Advocates say they are continuing discussions with the facility to secure placement for all remaining animals.

The Dane County Humane Society is accepting donations at giveshelter.org/ridglandbeagles to help cover care costs for the rescued beagles.

​COPYRIGHT 2026 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.