On Thursday morning, the final group of approximately 100 beagles was scheduled to be moved to the Dane County Humane Society to complete the transfer of all 1,500 dogs released from Ridglan Farms between two coordinated rescue efforts.
Staff and volunteers from DCHS, Beagle Freedom Project, Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies had previously taken in 400 of the final 500 beagles released from Ridglan Farms, a breeding facility in Blue Mounds.
The operation represents one of the largest coordinated transitions of dogs from a research-breeding facility into shelter and rescue organizations and homes in recent U.S. history.
The operation has drawn significant public interest, with nearly 1,700 individuals already expressing interest in adopting beagles now in the care of DCHS.
The announcement follows the April 18 news of hundreds of activists storming the Ridglan Farms facility after months of investigation by a special prosecutor.
