The Ridglan Beagles Rescue

Introduction

Hi everyone and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. In the news just recently has been the rescue of 1500 Beagles from Ridglan Farms.

A biomedical research facility located in Blue Mound, Wisconsin, United States, that uses bred Beagles for experimentation.

The size of this rescue was enormous, but unfortunately it was just the tip of the iceberg.

And because of its significance, I thought we could go together and learn more about this incredible rescue.

Ridglan Farms And Purpose Bred Beagles

What Ridglan Says About Its Work

Ridglan farm has on their home page this quote.

“Our mission is to provide Purpose Bred Beagles for research that increases and exceeds the expectations of the research community. We are a USDA Class A dog breeder as well as a USDA Licensed Class R research facility. We are committed to the highest standards of health and quality which is backed by our AAALAC International accreditation for animal care and welfare.”

AAALAC stands for Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.

The Public Image

Well, you can say one thing about them.

They certainly don’t hide what they are doing, breeding and using Beagles for experimentation.

To make things even weirder, on their website, there is a picture of 3 cute puppy Beagles as if they were up for adoption.

Then in their section about them, it says “We have a full-time veterinarian on staff who supervises all research studies at our facility. We have an extensive historical database for reproductive performance, pedigrees, hematology/blood chemistry, and genetic anomalies which can be utilized for your research purposes.”

They show this woman listening to a dog’s heart, with this guy smiling while holding this beagle.

There is also a photo of three puppies, playing or sniffing out a tray full of blood vials or vials of some kind.

This is one of the strangest things I’ve seen.

A Bizarre Matter-Of-Fact Tone

Maybe because I don’t commune with this area of animals, I find the matter-of-fact way they talk about what they do, really bizarre.

They talk like its so natural and normal, to breed dogs to experiment on.

They have these staff members, vet and vet techs that oversee the experimentation for health and welfare.

I’m sorry, but I just don’t get this!

What health and welfare?

The whole concept with the rose-coloured glasses being put on everything, I just find so bizarre.

Allegations And Testimony

Editorial Content Note

This section discusses allegations of animal cruelty and biomedical research practices.

One highly graphic testimony passage from the original source text has not been reproduced in full here.

The surrounding episode wording has been kept intact where safe to display.

What Has Been Stated Through Testimony

I guess before I get too sanctimonious.

I better look at what was done to the beagles as best as information will allow.

It has also been stated through testimony that the beagles were kept in small, bare cages.

Surgeries were performed without anesthesia often by unqualified staff.

And wounds were not treated.

Ridglan, Nucro-Technics, And The Wider Issue

Ridglan is a huge supplier of bred beagles for biomedical research.

Their dogs are shipped to research facilities.

And in Canada Nucro-Technics is one of the biggest recipients of these dogs.

Nucro-Technics bills itself as Canada’s largest contract research organization that “conducts studies using-dogs including heart research-in a 60,000 square foot facility with more than 170 scientific support personnel involved in chemistry, microbiology and toxicology testing.”

Nucro-Technics In Canada

Now, I don’t want to derail too much away from the Ridglan Beagles and their journey.

But it is worth noting that Nucro-Technics is at the forefront of controversy as well.

The Animal Alliance of Canada has been lobbying the government to investigate “disturbing evidence of cruelty toward dogs used in laboratory research at Nucro-Technics.”

For those in Ontario, Nucro-Technics is outside of Toronto in Scarborough.

An undercover infiltration by Last Chance for Animals, revealed film footage of the treatments of the beagles.

“The footage documents dogs collapsing, crying out in distress, vomiting and struggling during invasive procedures, as well as serious failures in animal handling and euthanasia protocols.”

Ontario And Proposed Restrictions

In August of 2025, Premier of Ontario Doug Ford said, “he would introduce legislation to ban testing on certain species of animals in Ontario.”

As of April 2026, the introduction of Bill 75 and Ontario’s “proposed regulatory changes, the government signaled its intention to restrict the use of dogs and cats in research.”

Animal Alliance is at the forefront of this pressure.

The Bigger Research Picture

The thing is, it’s not just Nucro-Technics that is doing animal testing.

It’s hospitals and universities that also carry out unbelievable horrific testing under abhorrent conditions.

As I said at the beginning, Riglan is just the tip of a very big iceberg.

The Scale Of Ridglan Farms

Approximately 2000 Beagles

Now, with regards to the Rigland Beagles, according to nonhumanrights.org, Ridglan has at any given time approximately 2000 beagles.

Essentially, they are a puppy mill of exorbitant size.

Supplying dogs to research facilities.

And using dogs in their own facility for testing.

Apparently, they have violations dating back to 2016.

In 2022, an inspector was rather overcome by the ammonia and odour level in the facility.

Advocacy And Legal Pressure

Moving up to 2024, as nonhumanrights.org outlines, “local animal activist organization Dane4Dogs, formed a coalition with Alliance for Animals and the Colorado-based Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, to petition the court to appoint a special prosecutor to prosecute Ridglan Farms for animal cruelty.”

The list of infractions I’ll summarize include, beagles being euthanized unnecessarily, just for a business decision.

Not providing space or enrichment that has caused chronic psychological distress.

I’m sure you’ve seen the hidden camera footage by now of dogs spinning around and around non-stop.

Reported Facility Conditions

Dogs were being kept in wire cages with worn away plastic coating.

So their paws were constantly exposed to sharp and rusted metal.

This caused injuries routinely.

Veterinarian care was not, despite what their website says, provided adequately nor were injuries treated properly.

Ventilation was not adequate.

This is what the inspector in 2022 was citing where ammonia levels were severe.

And proper sanitation was not kept up with.

As there were puddles of urine and feces in cages.

The Special Prosecutor

So, the big news came January 2025 where “a Dane County Judge appointed a special prosecutor, DA Tim Gruenke, (apologies if I have pronounced this person’s name incorrectly) to investigate and determine whether to charge Ridglan Farms with animal cruelty-the first of two major wins for local advocacy organizations who had advocated for the appointment of a special prosecutor.

The second win came in October 2025 when Gruenke announced Ridglan agreed to voluntarily relinquish its state license to sell dogs by July 1, 2026 in order to avoid criminal prosecution.” (nonhumanrights.org)

The problem however resulted in there being no protection for the dogs in the facility between that time and July 1st.

It should also be noted that the lead veterinarian had his license suspended.

The Purchase And Rescue Of 1500 Beagles

The Legal Reality

It sounds like the dogs will be confiscated by law, does it not?

Well, no.

As isthmus.com points out, “In the end, it all came down to money. Two animal rights groups brokered a deal to purchase 1500 of the roughly 2000 beagles at Ridglan Farm…Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Centre for Humane Economy will buy the beagles for an undisclosed amount.”

The April Protest

And then this past April, 1000 animal welfare activists, according to CP24, a Canadian news broadcaster, tried to gain entry to Ridglan.

And were forced back by police “who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader.”

If you didn’t see this on the news, it was quite something.

The protestors were hell bent to get inside to free the Beagles.

And the Sheriff’s department was saying that this was no peaceful protest.

And entered the melee with rubber bullets and pepper spray, making arrests.

Apparently 27 people were arrested on trespassing charges and other charges.

Yikes!!

Well, you know, when it comes to animals and the buildup and efforts that have been going on for years, people get pretty angry.

The Rescue Operation

As stated, Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy negotiated a confidential purchase of 1500 dogs.

Then began the huge process of orchestrating the big removal of all these dogs.

With this many dogs, the process was done in stages.

And if you saw some of the footage of the removals, it was an amazing sight.

As Big Dog Ranch Rescue arrived with buses and trucks and volunteers and crates and leashes, you name it.

The precision and organization were incredible.

Applause to these rescues, you are truly heroes.

Foster Care, Healing, And Adoption

First Steps Into Safety

Now the beagles are in foster care and in the hands of these rescues.

Some are adapting very well to seeing the sky for the first time or feeling grass under their paws.

The feeling of safety and relief as reported by many of the fosters is palpable.

The dogs all are triaged for health concerns, vaccinations, and spaying and neutering.

Now begins the process of finding forever homes for them.

The Reality For Fosters

And although so far by the last report, there have been over 700 applications to adopt these dogs.

It is important to face the truth.

As the fosters are reporting, these dogs are not house trained.

They barely know how to play.

And many are afraid and sleep behind the toilet or some other squeezed in space.

Fosters are reporting how they are learning how to do stairs for the first time.

Or to trust being petted.

Now, many are saying that they are coming around quite well to all these new things.

But let’s face facts, these dogs have PTSD, they have been traumatized.

This means that although there are many with big hearts that just want to love these dogs.

This is probably not going to be any easy road right off the bat.

Understanding Beagles

Beagle Temperament

Beagles are by nature, docile, trusting and amiable.

These are several of the reasons they are used the most in biomedical research.

They are not by nature aggressive.

And they are very even tempered.

The things that have made them one of the easiest breeds to have for a family, became the most exploited.

What Beagles Need

But, along with these great qualities, Beagles are also by nature driven by scent.

They follow their nose.

They also like to howl which can be an issue depending on neighbours.

I think that one of the things that has been said by beagle parents that I know, is that you have to understand a beagle.

So, although as I said, many big-hearted potential pet parents out there wish to give these lovely dogs a home.

I would suggest doing the research about the breed.

And speak to beagle parents.

And most importantly be very understanding of the needs of these special dogs.

I’m sure the rescues and fosters will be making sure that everyone is well informed.

To make sure the best pet parents are chosen.

The Remaining Beagles

The 500 Still At Riglan

There are another 500 beagles still at Riglan.

And the rescuers are working on their release.

It is devastating to think about 500 still being incarcerated in metal cages.

Nothing but a number.

And never seeing the outside or breathing fresh air.

And according to the settlement, Ridglan cannot breed after July 1st, nor sell dogs.

But they can still experiment on the dogs.

The poor babies left behind are in such uncertain circumstances.

But I do believe that the rescuers, as they have said, will not give up.

Cruelty-Free Choices And The Bigger Picture

The Question Of Humanity

Biomedical research on animals is one of the most horrific practices.

And it really pulls into question what exactly is humanity?

Because I have been researching Ridglan, I have received so much information about other animals in research.

That in all honesty makes you sick.

As I said when I did my episode on Fur Baby Culture, the fur baby culture is just a drop in the bucket.

Animals all over the world are tortured, trafficked, experimented on, and treated like garbage.

Activism And Animal Exploitation

These people that went to Ridglan and tried to lay siege to there, are well, courageous.

Yes, there were laws being broken.

But if they hadn’t done what they did, or other animal activists had given up, there would still be 1500 dogs being tortured, existing in agony.

Ridglan is just the beginning ,I hope, of getting animals out of research.

But it is a huge and daunting task.

Because animal exploitation is enormous on this planet.

Cruelty-Free Choices

So, let’s say, at the very least, if you haven’t already, be mindful of the products you buy.

Check your personal hygiene products, your makeup, your cleaning products, your air fresheners.

Look for the cruelty free signs.

They exist!

This is only one piece of the testing that is done on animals.

But it is one that does not have to exist.

It’s a place to start if you haven’t already.

Then big pharma is going to have a lot to answer for.

And just as an aside, if you need to rehome your pet, go through a proper rescue.

Many social media platforms are trolled by biomedical researchers.

So your pet could end up like the beagles.

Closing Thoughts

Well, I wish all the 1500 beagles the absolute best homes they can have.

I also wish with all my heart that the last remaining Riglan beagles will soon be joining the rest.

And to all the fosters and new pet parents to be of these lovely beagles, you are amazing, you are heroes.

Your dedication and influence is exactly what I always say, knowing is caring.

Tagged as: rescue dogs,  Val Talks Pets,  Beagle rescue,  Ridglan Beagles,  biomedical research,  animal testing,  cruelty free.