Full Breakdown
1,500 Beagles Rescued from Wisconsin Breeder
5/4/2026, 8:32:40 AM
Rescue Operation Begins
On May 1 2026 the first van of 300 beagles left Ridgelan Farms in Marshall, Wisconsin, beginning a ten-day effort to move roughly 1,500 dogs to rescues nationwide. Staff saw many dogs seek attention within an hour.
Background & Legal Settlement
Ridgelan Farms in Blue Mounds bred beagles for research for over 60 years. A Jan 2025 Dane County judge found probable cause of animal-cruelty; a special prosecutor settled, requiring license surrender by July 1 2026 while allowing dog sales until then.
Key Players
Big Dog Ranch Rescue (executive director Lauree Simmons) and the Center for a Humane Economy (CEO Wayne Pacelle) bought 1,500 beagles. The Dane County Humane Society will take ?500, the Wisconsin Humane Society ?150, and other shelters the rest.
Timeline
Key dates: Jan 2025 – judge finds cruelty; Oct 2025 – license surrender; Apr 18 2026 – protest, 29 arrests; May 1 2026 – first transport of 300 beagles.
Numbers & Logistics
USDA estimates the farm holds 2,000–2,200 dogs. The rescue deal covers 1,500, called “most of the inventory.” ?700 dogs remain. Each dog is vaccinated, microchipped, spayed/neutered, and behaviorally assessed before transport.
Official Statements & Responses
Ridgelan Farms said the dogs are “happy, healthy and well cared for,” citing USDA records and hoping for homes. PETA praised the rescue and urged officials to free the remaining dogs. Rep. Nicholas Langworthy called for an immediate NIH funding suspension for projects using Ridgelan-sourced beagles, citing standards.
Criticism & Opposition
The Animal Activist Legal Defense Project called the release “a testament to the determination and perseverance of activists,” demanding liberation of the remaining beagles. Activists have sued over police use of tear gas and pepper spray during the April 18 protest.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on total dogs: Fox News cites “roughly 2,000,” Fox 6 and USDA list about 2,200, while rescue groups refer only to “most of the inventory.” The purchase price is unknown; a Lara Trump Instagram post suggested $1 million, but no figure is confirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They started within an hour or so coming up to us, wanting attention. Some crawled in people’s laps. Every single one of them are super sweet,” — Lauree Simmons, President & Founder, Big Dog Ranch Rescue
- “It’s a very big win and I am ecstatic to have these dogs out and get them into loving homes,” — Lauree Simmons, Big Dog Ranch Rescue
- “We saw a narrow window where beagles were at risk, and we seized on that moment to get them out of there,” — Wayne Pacelle, CEO, Center for a Humane Economy
- “ PETA: "PETA is celebrating the great news that nearly 1,500 beagles will never be sold to laboratories to be caged, injected, infected, cut up, and killed, and we’re grateful to Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Center for a Humane Economy, and all the activists and organizations, for their work to get these dogs into loving homes.” — PETA spokesperson
What’s Next
Transport trucks will continue moving dogs over ten days; the Dane County and Wisconsin Humane Societies will then begin adoption screenings while advocates pursue action to free the remaining beagles.
