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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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The final 475 beagles remaining at a controversial Wisconsin research-breeding facility are being transferred to rescue organizations for rehabilitation and adoption, bringing an end to years of controversy surrounding one of the nation's largest suppliers of dogs for laboratory testing.
The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which said the dogs would be moved to a "cage-free, no-kill facility" before eventually being placed in permanent homes.
"Thanks to the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and [Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.], 475 beagles are being freed," the department said.
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But the rescue also represents the culmination of years of legal battles, activism, investigations and negotiations aimed at shutting down Ridglan Farms, a facility long criticized by animal welfare advocates for breeding dogs used in research.
Animal welfare groups say the agreement marks the final chapter in a campaign that stretched across multiple years and involved dozens of organizations, lawmakers and volunteers.
Why the Beagles Are Being Removed
The dogs are being transferred from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin breeding facility that supplied beagles for biomedical and pharmaceutical research.
Beagles have long been used in scientific testing because of their size, temperament and ease of handling, but critics have questioned both the ethics of the practice and conditions at breeding facilities.
Under the latest agreement, the remaining 475 dogs will be transferred to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a Florida-based nonprofit that plans to provide veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and adoption services.
Years of Pressure Led to the Closure
The outcome now being celebrated did not happen overnight. Pressure on the facility began building years earlier through a combination of legal action and public campaigning.
Investigations and testimony from former workers led to a legal settlement in which Ridglan Farms agreed to surrender its breeding license, intensifying scrutiny on its operations.
At the same time, protests escalated, with activists staging demonstrations and, in some cases, breaking into the site to remove dogs—incidents that brought national attention and police response.
Momentum accelerated in 2026. Earlier this year, roughly 1,500 beagles were removed following agreements between rescue organizations and facility operators, leaving several hundred dogs still awaiting relocation.
Transfers are now underway, with the last dogs being moved to rescue campuses in stages before eventual adoption.
Who Is Taking Credit?
The HHS statement frames the rescue as a policy success linked to the leadership of Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has also spoken about reducing reliance on animal testing.
Animal welfare groups, however, note that the rescue followed years of advocacy, litigation, fundraising and negotiations that began long before the latest announcement.
Rescue groups involved in the operation have emphasized the scale of coordination required, from securing agreements with the facility to transporting, treating and rehoming hundreds of animals.
Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan said on X: "I am happy to hear that Ridglan Farms is winding down its operations as a beagle breeding and testing facility.
There is a need for stronger administrative and legislative measures to protect animals from torturous conditions in testing, but this is a good step towards those national goals. The federal government must take state and local violations into account when overseeing facilities."
"Together, we saved the Beagles. Incredible news," Congressman Nick Langworthy added on X.
Animal welfare group PETA said: "This is a HUGE milestone! PETA welcomes Ridglan Farms' agreement to shut down both its breeding and testing operations and release all remaining dogs for adoption!
"We'll continue to REFUSE to accept a system that breeds dogs to confine, mutilate, poison, and kill them in labs!"
Lara Trump Helped Raise Awareness
One of the most visible figures connected to the rescue effort is Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law, who sits on the board of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
She has publicly promoted efforts to free the dogs and has been involved in fundraising and awareness campaigns tied to the organization. Her role has been acknowledged by officials, with Kennedy thanking her for helping drive attention to the issue and support the rescue effort.
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Part of a Broader Shift Away From Animal Testing
The Wisconsin rescue comes amid broader efforts to reduce animal testing across the United States.
In 2022, roughly 4,000 beagles were removed from the Envigo breeding facility in Virginia after federal authorities documented serious animal welfare violations, one of the largest animal rescue operations of its kind.
What Happens to the Dogs Now
With the final group of 475 dogs now being transferred, advocates say Ridglan Farms' closure marks the end of a major source of research-bred beagles in the United States.
For the animals involved, the transition is immediate: from breeding kennels to rehabilitation centers, and eventually into permanent homes.
Rescue groups say the focus now is on medical care, socialization and preparing the dogs for adoption after lives spent in confinement.
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