More than 200 beagles rescued from a Wisconsin biomedical research breeding facility have arrived in Palm Beach County. The dogs are part of a massive rescue effort involving roughly 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a biomedical research breeding facility in Dane County, Wisconsin. The transfer comes after months of protests and even a raid, along with allegations of animal mistreatment. The website for Ridglan Farms states it serves as a biomedical research facility that supports health studies benefitting both humans and animals. The website states the research affiliated with Ridglan Farms has helped improve the prevention and/or treatment of rabies, canine parvovirus, heartworm, dog allergies, dog arthritis and distemper.However, the facility is set to give up its state breeding license in July following allegations of animal mistreatment. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsLast week, Lauree Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, announced a confidential agreement with Ridglan Farms to release the animals to rescue groups. The deal was made possible with help from the Center for a Humane Economy. Roughly 200 of those dogs have now arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Palm Beach County, where Evan Nader says the transformation has already begun.”These beagles are doing really incredibly. They’re receiving full medical attention right now, getting a lot of love from our staff and volunteers,” Nader said. He said he hopes this marks a fresh start for the beagles from whatever it is they’ve been through.”I don’t think, you know, these dogs should be forced to go through that. But I think what we can do right now is just show that these dogs should be in loving homes. That’s where they should be,” Nader said. Nearly 300 of the beagles will be cared for at the Palm Beach County facility, while others are being transported to a location in Alabama and to rescue partners across the country.Nader said once the dogs are medically cleared and have been spayed or neutered, they’ll be ready for adoption in about three weeks. “I’ve heard a lot of people say, I want a beagle. Well, guess what? There are going to be hundreds of beagles here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue. So if you are interested, consider filling out an application. Of course, if you want to foster, we do have a great foster program at Big Dog Ranch Rescue as well,” he said.With the addition of the beagles, Nader said their Palm Beach County facility has about 1,000 dogs in their care, and they would benefit from some help. “So dog bowls, blankets, and linens, especially towels, are really big for us too, along with nice doggy shampoo. Anything you really saw on our Amazon wish list is huge, too, and if anyone wants to support our miracle fund here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we do ask you to become a monthly donor. It really does save lives,” Nader told WPBF. Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.As they work to get the beagles ready for their forever homes, Nader said their work in Wisconsin isn’t done. “Our founder, Lauree Simmons, is still in Wisconsin right now. We are in the process of rescuing more Beagles right now, and even more are coming here to Big Dog Ranch Rescue as well,” he said. Already, the rescue has a waiting list for people wanting to adopt, and Nader said they’re accepting applications for those interested in adopting a beagle. Anyone interested in adopting can visit their website or call them at 561-791-6465.
More than 200 beagles rescued from a Wisconsin biomedical research breeding facility have arrived in Palm Beach County.
The dogs are part of a massive rescue effort involving roughly 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a biomedical research breeding facility in Dane County, Wisconsin. The transfer comes after months of protests and even a raid, along with allegations of animal mistreatment.
The website for Ridglan Farms states it serves as a biomedical research facility that supports health studies benefitting both humans and animals. The website states the research affiliated with Ridglan Farms has helped improve the prevention and/or treatment of rabies, canine parvovirus, heartworm, dog allergies, dog arthritis and distemper.
However, the facility is set to give up its state breeding license in July following allegations of animal mistreatment.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
Last week, Lauree Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, announced a confidential agreement with Ridglan Farms to release the animals to rescue groups. The deal was made possible with help from the Center for a Humane Economy.
Roughly 200 of those dogs have now arrived at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Palm Beach County, where Evan Nader says the transformation has already begun.
“These beagles are doing really incredibly. They’re receiving full medical attention right now, getting a lot of love from our staff and volunteers,” Nader said.
He said he hopes this marks a fresh start for the beagles from whatever it is they’ve been through.
“I don’t think, you know, these dogs should be forced to go through that. But I think what we can do right now is just show that these dogs should be in loving homes. That’s where they should be,” Nader said.
Nearly 300 of the beagles will be cared for at the Palm Beach County facility, while others are being transported to a location in Alabama and to rescue partners across the country.
Nader said once the dogs are medically cleared and have been spayed or neutered, they’ll be ready for adoption in about three weeks.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say, I want a beagle. Well, guess what? There are going to be hundreds of beagles here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue. So if you are interested, consider filling out an application. Of course, if you want to foster, we do have a great foster program at Big Dog Ranch Rescue as well,” he said.
With the addition of the beagles, Nader said their Palm Beach County facility has about 1,000 dogs in their care, and they would benefit from some help.
“So dog bowls, blankets, and linens, especially towels, are really big for us too, along with nice doggy shampoo. Anything you really saw on our Amazon wish list is huge, too, and if anyone wants to support our miracle fund here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we do ask you to become a monthly donor. It really does save lives,” Nader told WPBF.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
As they work to get the beagles ready for their forever homes, Nader said their work in Wisconsin isn’t done.
“Our founder, Lauree Simmons, is still in Wisconsin right now. We are in the process of rescuing more Beagles right now, and even more are coming here to Big Dog Ranch Rescue as well,” he said.
Already, the rescue has a waiting list for people wanting to adopt, and Nader said they’re accepting applications for those interested in adopting a beagle.
Anyone interested in adopting can visit their website or call them at 561-791-6465.
