Something extraordinary happened this fall—something that will change the lives of countless dogs who, until now, were born only to be sold into laboratories.
After nearly six decades of supplying beagles for research and testing, Ridglan Farms—the nation’s second-largest dog breeder for labs—has agreed to surrender its breeding license and stop selling dogs for experimentation by July 1, 2026.
It’s a milestone that once felt impossible. But it wasn’t luck, and it wasn’t coincidence. It was the result of years of relentless pressure, investigation, advocacy, and the courage of everyday people who refused to look away. It marks one of the most significant cracks yet in the animal research industry’s armor.
What Really Happened at Ridglan
Rise for Animals worked to expose the truth behind Ridglan’s operations—the truth that Ridglan wanted to keep from you. With the help of investigators, public records researchers, legal experts, whistleblowers, animal advocates, and partner organizations, we exposed evidence of:
- Painful “cherry eye” surgeries performed without anesthesia
- Non-veterinarians cutting into dogs’ eye glands
- A pattern of suffering that met the legal definition of felony-level cruelty
The Wisconsin Special Prosecutor’s official report confirmed what we’d been shining a light on. Faced with the evidence—and the mounting pressure—Ridglan made the choice:
Surrender its breeding license and halt dog sales to labs.
This decision will, in the Prosecutor’s own words, “end the mass breeding and sale of thousands of Beagles for research.” Countless future dogs will be spared from a lifetime of torment in laboratories.
A Door Has Opened, but Animals Still Wait for Safety
Ridglan’s decision is a victory. A breakthrough. A proof point that the system can bend under the weight of truth and public pressure.
But it is not freedom—not yet.
Ridglan can continue experimenting on dogs it breeds. And other facilities across the U.S. continue to confine, harm, and kill animals in research facilities every day. The pipeline of suffering is weakened, but intact.
That means:
- Dogs are still living their entire lives without ever stepping outside a cage.
- Primates, cats, rabbits, mice, and countless others remain imprisoned in laboratories.
- The research industry continues to operate as though these animals are tools—not living, thinking, feeling beings.
This is why our work continues, and why we need your support more than ever.
How Supporters Helped Make This Possible
The Ridglan breakthrough didn’t happen in a courtroom alone. It grew from pressure applied by a growing group of people who refused to stay silent. (In fact, a recent Gallup poll indicates a minority of Americans now believe animal testing is “morally acceptable.”)
With regards to the Ridglan Farms victory, our supporters fueled:
- Investigations and exposes,
- Legal complaints that forced government agencies to act,
- Public records work exposing previously hidden cruelty,
- Advocacy campaigns demanding accountability,
- Petitions that reached key decision-makers, and
- Partnerships that strengthened the case and amplified pressure.
This victory belongs to everyone who stood with us—and everyone who stood with the dogs.
Giving Tuesday: For Every Animal Still Waiting
This year, Giving Tuesday carries a deeper meaning.
It’s a moment not just to celebrate a hard-won step forward, but to recognize the animals who are still living the reality we’re fighting to end forever.
Your support today will help us:
- Expose the research industry’s secrets,
- Drive new investigations and legal action,
- Pressure lawmakers and agencies to intervene,
- Advocate for ethical, human-relevant alternatives to animal research, and
- Save and support animals who survive the torments of the research industry.
Together, we can turn the Ridglan victory from a crack in the system into a collapse of it.
We won’t stop until every last animal is safe.
For every animal still waiting, please join us this Giving Tuesday.