UPDATED JUNE 15, 2026

It truly is a happy Monday! We’re so excited by the news that Center for a Humane Economy shared this morning: the remaining 475 beagles at Ridglan Farms will be released. We’re overjoyed they’ll have the chance to begin the happy new chapters they deserve, joining the 1,635 dogs who were released in May and June and are already on their way to brighter futures.

Thank you to our community for showing up and standing up for these dogs in so many ways: donating, volunteering, spreading the word, opening your homes to animals in need, and more. YOU made this possible!

We know many people have continued to ask whether additional beagles will be coming to DCHS for adoption. Based on the information currently available, we do not anticipate receiving additional beagles from this final group for adoption through DCHS. We are continuing to focus on supporting the families who have welcomed beagles into their home.

While we’re celebrating this incredible milestone, including the closure of Ridglan Farms, to echo Center for a Humane Economy, the work is far from over. Countless animals still need advocates and supporters. Please continue to be their voice and help create the brighter futures they deserve.  

Be sure to follow Center for a Humane Economy to learn more about how you can help.

UPDATED JUNE 9, 2026

We have very happy news to share! Every Ridglan Farms beagle who remained in DCHS's care for placement has found a fresh start with a loving Wisconsin family. Thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, partner shelters, interested adopters, and supporters for all you've done to help make these new beginnings possible for these beagles. 

Each family who adopted one of the nine dogs was so excited to add these deserving pups to their homes, where they will have so many new experiences while receiving incredible amounts of love.

As these beagles settle into their new lives, we have invited their families to share updates, photos, and videos that we can pass along to our community. We're so thrilled for every one of these dogs as they begin their next chapters!

UPDATED JUNE 2, 2026

Ridglan Farms has agreed to transfer ownership of 135 beagles to the same partners as the initial release of 1,500 animals, giving these dogs the opportunity for new beginnings with loving families.

68 beagles will be cared for through a partnership between Beagle Freedom Project and Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). On Thursday, June 4, DCHS will once again serve as the staging facility, where the dogs will receive initial veterinary examinations, vaccinations, and microchips before continuing on their journeys.

Following their initial vet checks at DCHS, these beagles will be transferred either to foster and adoptive homes through Beagle Freedom Project or to fellow Wisconsin shelters and rescues coordinated through Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies and the Wisconsin Puppymill Project. DCHS anticipates keeping approximately 10 of the dogs for additional care and eventual adoption. An additional 67 dogs will be going with Big Dog Ranch Rescue on Wednesday, June 3. 

We know many people are eager to welcome one of these beagles into their families. Because we received an overwhelming response during the first phase of this rescue effort, we will continue using the existing Adoption Interest Form submissions already on file when matching any dogs that become available for adoption through DCHS. We are not accepting new adoption interest forms at this time. We also do not anticipate recruiting additional volunteers, as any support would be provided through our existing DCHS staff team alongside partner organizations.

We are grateful to the many organizations, staff members, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and supporters who continue working together on behalf of these dogs.  

UPDATED MAY 26, 2026

We have wonderful news to share! Every Ridglan Farms beagle who remained in DCHS's care for placement and was cleared for adoption has officially found a loving new beginning, Thank you to our incredible supporters, volunteers, staff, partner shelters and rescues, and (of course) all the interested adopters and fosters willing to open their homes to these incredible beagles.

Our Adoption Center team has thoughtfully matched each beagle with a loving family, and we are so excited for them as they learn about home life and have so many new experiences.

As these beagles continue to settle into their new lives, we have invited their families to share updates, photos, and videos that we can pass along to our community. We're thrilled for every one of these deserving dogs as they begin their next chapter!

Below are some quick answers to common inquiries. 

UPDATED MAY 20, 2026

Ridglan Farms beagle adoptions have officially begun. ❤️

As dogs become ready for adoption, Dane County Humane Society staff are carefully working through the adoption interest forms submitted through our website to identify the best possible match for each individual beagle. Selected adopters are being contacted directly and provided with support and education to help prepare for this unique transition.

Every dog’s medical needs, behavior, personality, and comfort level are being considered before placement, and our team remains focused on finding homes that can provide patience, understanding, and long-term support.

Thank you to everyone who expressed interest in adopting and to the many DCHS staff members who continue to provide compassionate care for these special dogs. We’re excited to see more beagles begin their next chapter when they’re ready.

UPDATED MAY 15, 2026 

We’re proud to share that the rescue operation for all 500 beagles coming to and through Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) has been completed. This extraordinary effort was an incredible success thanks to the care, organization, professionalism, and tireless work of our many partners. We are deeply grateful to be part of an animal welfare community that puts animals first and comes together to create brighter futures. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.

These 500 dogs complete the 1,500 dogs released from Ridglan Farms at this time, something to truly be celebrated. Yet, we know dogs still remain at Ridglan Farms, and we have more information about what's next in the FAQs below. DCHS and our partners stand at the ready should the remaining dogs be released.

We also want to thank the 1,700+ people who reached out with concern, support, and interest in adopting one of these special dogs. We have begun contacting individuals who completed our adoption interest form and who may be the best possible match for specific beagles based on each dog’s needs.

Getting these dogs into loving homes as soon as they’re ready is an important part of their healing. Stable homes can help them decompress, begin building trust, and avoid additional transitions whenever possible. At this time, no Ridglan Farms beagles have been made available for public adoption, as we are still getting to know their individual personalities, medical needs, and behavior.

Before any Ridglan Farms beagle is adopted from DCHS, potential adopters will participate in a specialized process designed to prepare them for these dogs’ unique experiences and needs. This includes:

• Detailed educational materials and guidance from Beagle Freedom Project
• Thorough adoption counseling and support from DCHS staff
• Specialized information sessions about caring for these dogs
• Medical care from our Animal Medical Services team, including spay/neuter surgeries and other treatments as needed
• Behavioral assessments and support from our experienced Canine Behavior Team as the dogs adjust to their new lives

As always, DCHS staff will continue to provide support and insight as these beagles settle into their new homes. We’re honored to play a role in these dogs’ journeys, and we look forward to sharing more updates—and success stories—with all of you who helped make this rescue possible.

Thank you for caring so deeply about these beagles and for supporting the organizations working together on their behalf.

UPDATED MAY 11, 2026 

The first 150 of the 500 beagles were transferred today from Ridglan Farms, a breeding facility in Blue Mounds, WI. In the morning, a caravan of three DCHS vans along with a Beagle Freedom Project van and RV transported 95 beagles to DCHS, with another 55 dogs transferred in the afternoon. 

The beagles were given veterinary exams, DA2PP (Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza), Rabies (when age appropriate) and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations, and they were microchipped.

Some of the dogs slowly walked out of their carriers to feel the grass and earth below their paws. As they became braver, they explored the yard more, running from one area to the next. Other dogs were comforted by volunteers and staff as they waited for their exams or for transfer to a partner organization.

The afternoon saw various partner organizations arriving at DCHS to transfer most of the dogs across the Midwest. Nearly 30 dogs stayed with DCHS. 

We will continue to transfer dogs from Ridglan Farms tomorrow. Thank you to everyone for helping make this important moment possible as we work to give these dogs the new happy beginnings they deserve. 

UPDATED APRIL 30, 2026 

Ridglan Farms, a breeding facility in Blue Mounds, WI, agreed to release 1,500 beagles.

Together with partner shelters and organizations, we will help prepare around 500 dogs for their next steps in the coming weeks. DCHS will conduct veterinary exams, provide immediate medical care and vaccinations, and facilitate transfer to partner shelters and rescues. 

The beagles that stay with DCHS will also require ongoing medical care, behavioral support, and time to adjust to a new setting. When they're ready, they will need patient adopters willing to show them what love and safety feel like. 

This is a large, resource-intensive effort, and we can't do it alone. YOUR support can help provide critical medical care, supplies, and staffing to ensure every dog has the best possible chance at a healthy future. 

Thank you in advance for your patience and support. With your help, we will change the lives of these dogs forever. 

Any additional funds raised will be used to continue the work Dane County Humane Society does every day. 

POSTED MARCH 2026

We’ve been hearing from many community members who are concerned about the dogs at Ridglan Farms. We understand—this is a deeply upsetting and emotional situation.

Ridglan Farms is a large-scale dog facility in Blue Mounds that breeds beagles for use in research. The scale of their operations is significant, involving thousands of dogs at a time.

In late 2025, a legal agreement was reached that will result in the facility surrendering their license to sell dogs by July 1, 2026 to avoid criminal prosecution. As part of that agreement, Ridglan Farms may continue to place dogs prior to closure. This is an evolving situation, and many individual organizations are closely following what happens next.

Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) is a private, nonprofit organization and does not have legal authority to investigate animal abuse or seize animals. DCHS maintains contractual relationships to serve as a holding facility for stray and impounded animals, including those seized by local authorities pursuant to Chapter 173 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Decisions on whether to seize an animal or to keep a seized animal at DCHS are made by law enforcement, statutorily-authorized humane officers, and representatives of Dane County Animal Control, in conjunction with local prosecutors and the courts.

If dogs are legally released and in need of care, we stand ready to assist alongside partner shelters and rescue organizations to provide support and help find homes. Our priority is always the wellbeing of the animals and working collaboratively to achieve the best possible outcomes.

We understand there is a plan to remove dogs by members of the public. As the county’s stray holding facility, DCHS is legally obligated to hold and attempt to return any animal brought to us as a “stray” to its registered owner. 

While we are not able to intervene directly at the facility, we remain committed to supporting animal welfare efforts in our community. 

Dane4Dogs provides a detailed overview of the history of the issue. While we recognize the value of this background information, our organization does not necessarily share all viewpoints or proposed solutions outlined.