Press Kit

Press Kit

The Closure of Ridglan Farms Brings Us One Step Closer to Ending Animal Testing

Beagle Freedom Project celebrates a major victory for dogs bred for experimentation as one of the nation’s largest laboratory beagle suppliers prepares to close.

For Immediate Release

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ridglan Farms, one of the largest commercial breeders supplying dogs to research laboratories in the United States, as well as a testing center itself, is preparing to cease operations after the release of its remaining dogs.

According to information shared during ongoing negotiations, the facility is expected to wind down operations following the transfer of the dogs currently housed there.

For decades, Ridglan Farms bred thousands of beagles for use in animal experimentation. Its impending closure marks a significant milestone in the growing movement to end the breeding and use of dogs in research and reflects years of advocacy, investigation, public pressure, and legislative reform efforts.

“This is a historic moment for the thousands of dogs who suffered and for everyone who refused to stop fighting for them,” said Shannon Keith, founder and president of Beagle Freedom Project. “The closure of Ridglan proves that change is possible when advocates, rescuers, lawmakers, and compassionate people come together to demand better for animals.”

In February of 2026, Beagle Freedom Project partnered with Center for A Humane Economy which started negotiations to release the beagles inside Ridglan Farms. Center for A Humane Economy was able to secure a deal with Ridglan Farms for the release of 1,500 beagles.

In May, BFP oversaw the placement of 568 Ridglan beagles and worked alongside the Center for a Humane Economy, Dane County Humane Society, Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, rescue groups, foster families, adopters, and volunteers to ensure the dogs received the care and homes they deserved in one of the largest laboratory dog rescue efforts in U.S history.

As efforts continued to secure freedom for the dogs remaining at Ridglan Farms, Beagle Freedom Project and Center for a Humane Economy were prepared to work together to facilitate their placement. In fact, Center for A Humane Economy already had a written agreement with Ridglan Farms’ attorney to release all remaining dogs to them. However, Ridglan Farms chose to transfer those beagles through an agreement with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which offered a higher purchase price for them, even though the dogs were already safe. While BFP will not oversee placement of the final group of dogs, the organization is encouraged that they, too, will soon leave the facility and have the opportunity to begin new lives in loving homes.

Ridglan Farms became the focus of sustained scrutiny from animal protection organizations, investigators, advocates, and concerned citizens who exposed conditions at the facility and pushed for accountability. Their efforts helped generate the momentum that ultimately led to the release of thousands of dogs and the end of breeding operations at the facility.

“We thank those fearless activists who launched this movement against Ridglan Farms,” said Keith.

While the closure of Ridglan Farms represents a major victory, Beagle Freedom Project notes that tens of thousands of dogs remain trapped in commercial breeding facilities and laboratories across the globe like Marshall BioResources in the United States and abroad, that continue to supply animals for experimentation and test on them.

“Ridglan’s closure is not the end of this fight,” Keith said. “Dogs are still being bred and sold to laboratories across the country and the world. We will continue working until every breeding facility is closed, every laboratory is closed, and every animal has a chance at freedom, and animal testing is replaced with modern, human-relevant science. Animal testing will and must end.”

Beagle Freedom Project remains committed to rescuing animals from laboratories, advancing legislation that protects them, and ending animal testing once and for all.

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Beagle Freedom Project is the world’s leading animal advocacy and rescue organization in rescuing, rehoming and legislating for animals in laboratory testing. Since 2010, Beagle Freedom Project has been at the helm of working to end animal testing, having rescued over 4,000 animals from the testing world and passing laws in 17 states. For more information, go to: https://bfp.org/