A monumental shift in the fight against animal testing is underway. Under mounting pressure from advocates, animal welfare organizations, and government officials, Ridglan Farms, one of the few remaining large-scale breeders of dogs for research laboratories in the United States, has agreed to end its dog-breeding operations.
For decades, Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin has been a key supplier of beagles and other dogs used in invasive laboratory experiments—a cruel practice that has drawn the outrage of animal lovers across the nation. These dogs, born and raised behind closed doors, never experienced the joy of grass beneath their paws or the comfort of a loving home. Now, after years of advocacy, a major step forward has been achieved—but the fight isn’t over yet.
2,500 Dogs Still Await Freedom
Although Ridglan’s breeding operations are set to cease, 2,500 dogs remain confined within its facility, trapped in sterile kennels and destined for laboratory sale unless immediate action is taken. Advocates are now calling on Ridglan Farms to release these dogs for adoption, allowing them to live the lives they were denied for so long.
These beagles and other dogs are gentle, trusting animals—traits that make them tragically easy targets for experimentation. They deserve better. Instead of being shipped off to research facilities where they face a life of suffering, they should be rehomed through rescue networks and sanctuaries dedicated to rehabilitation and adoption.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has been instrumental in driving public attention to Ridglan Farms’ operations and organizing nationwide campaigns demanding change. Their clear message: Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.
You can add your voice to this movement and learn more about campaigns like this by visiting Sustainable Action Now’s Animal Abuse & Wildlife page.
The Long Fight Against Laboratory Cruelty
The end of Ridglan Farms’ breeding program is part of a growing global movement to phase out the use of animals in scientific testing. Each year, tens of thousands of dogs are used in experiments ranging from toxicity testing to drug trials, many of which cause immense pain and end in death.
Beagles, in particular, have been the breed of choice for lab testing because of their small size and docile nature—a heartbreaking irony that underscores just how inhumane this system has been. The public outcry has only intensified in recent years as undercover investigations have exposed the reality of these facilities: dogs kept in cages, denied affection, and used as disposable tools in experiments that often have non-animal alternatives.
Organizations like PETA, Humane Society International, and numerous local rescue groups have proven that change is possible when compassion meets persistence. Recent shutdowns of breeding facilities, including the historic closure of Envigo in 2022—which led to the rescue of nearly 4,000 beagles—show that public advocacy can directly save lives.
The Path Forward: From Cages to Care
The call to Ridglan Farms is clear: do the right thing. With their breeding operations ending, now is the time to release the remaining 2,500 dogs into the care of adoption organizations. These animals deserve the chance to experience love, play, and rest—basic freedoms that have been denied for far too long.
Communities across the country stand ready to welcome these survivors. Countless shelters, sanctuaries, and families are willing to open their doors and hearts. What’s needed now is transparency, cooperation, and compassion from Ridglan Farms and the agencies overseeing their transition.
The end of dog breeding for experimentation is not just a victory for animal welfare—it’s a sign that society’s moral compass is evolving. Science, technology, and ethics are aligning to show that animal testing is not only cruel but increasingly unnecessary. Modern alternatives such as organ-on-a-chip systems, advanced computer modeling, and 3D tissue cultures are proving to be more reliable and humane.
How You Can Help
Every voice matters in the movement to end animal suffering. You can help by:
- Urging Ridglan Farms to release the remaining dogs for adoption rather than sale.
- Supporting organizations like PETA that fight to expose and end animal testing.
- Spreading awareness by sharing updates from reputable advocacy sources.
- Promoting non-animal testing methods in science and education.
To stay informed on the latest animal welfare victories, cruelty investigations, and how you can make an impact, visit Sustainable Action Now’s Animal Abuse & Wildlife section.
The decision by Ridglan Farms to close its breeding operation is an extraordinary milestone—but it is not the end. Until every last dog is free, the mission continues. These animals have endured enough. It’s time for compassion to prevail, for the cages to open, and for every one of those 2,500 dogs to finally know what it means to be safe, loved, and home.
