Another 135 beagles are out of Ridglan Farms, the Wisconsin facility that bred dogs for research for decades.
The Center for a Humane Economy said the dogs left the Blue Mounds site this week, 68 through the center and its rescue partners and 67 to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida. That brings the total to 1,635 beagles removed since last month, when 1,500 were relocated under an agreement between the center, the rescue and the facility. The arrangement followed a federal lawsuit accusing Ridglan of abusing the dogs.
The politics have not gone away. Representative Nick Langworthy of New York, who has pushed to cut federal funding for dog testing, called the transfer good news. Whether Washington tightens the rules is another matter: the USDA is in court arguing it has no duty to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
For adopters, these are not ordinary shelter dogs. A beagle raised in a breeding facility has often never lived in a house. Stairs, vacuums, doorbells, grass under their feet and a leash on a collar can all be new. House training may start from zero. Many need dental work and a full veterinary check.
What this means for your dog: if you are considering one, apply through Big Dog Ranch Rescue or its partner groups rather than expecting to collect a dog in person, and plan for months of slow introductions. Sit on the floor, keep the routine boring, and let the dog come to you. A beagle who has never seen a sofa will get there. It just takes longer than you think.