Wisconsin Beagle Research Facility Shutters After Six Decades

Clear Facts

• A Dane County, Wisconsin beagle breeding and research facility has permanently closed after nearly 60 years of operation
• The final 475 dogs from the site are being transferred to rescue organizations in Florida and Alabama
• Approximately 2,000 beagles in total have been rescued from the facility through agreements with rescue groups

A long-standing beagle breeding and research facility in Dane County, Wisconsin, has shut its doors permanently after operating for nearly six decades. The closure comes as part of an agreement with a Florida-based rescue organization that will relocate the final 475 dogs remaining at the site.

The facility, which has been the subject of animal welfare scrutiny, is transferring its remaining beagles to rescue groups in Florida and Alabama. This final transfer brings the total number of dogs rescued from the operation to approximately 2,000.

Today @USDA @SecRollins and I secured a major win for animal welfare.

Ridglan Farms will transfer its remaining 475 beagles out of a research breeding facility and into the care of a no-kill rescue, where they can begin the path to adoption.

Thank you, @LaraLeaTrump, for… pic.twitter.com/gmxiZeYc7k

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) June 15, 2026

The closure marks the end of an era for the research facility, which has been a fixture in the community since the 1960s. Animal welfare advocates have long raised concerns about conditions at breeding facilities that supply dogs for research purposes, though the specific circumstances leading to this closure were not immediately detailed.

Rescue organizations have been working methodically to relocate the beagles, many of which will require rehabilitation and socialization before being placed in permanent homes. Beagles are frequently used in research settings due to their size, temperament, and genetic uniformity.

The permanent shutdown of the Wisconsin facility reflects broader national conversations about animal research ethics and the treatment of laboratory animals. As these dogs transition from research environments to family homes, they will require specialized care and patience from their adoptive families.

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