Here’s a roundup of the week’s biggest news stories related to animal research — all the recent media coverage you need to know right now to be the most effective activist for animals in labs.
Sheep for Sale: “Meat” and Mock Science
Rise for Animals, 9/17/2025
We know that farmed animals are “research” animals. They belong to a class of sentient beings trapped at the intersection of two violent, tightly braided industries: animal agriculture and animal research.
Sheep are one species who are commodified completely by the animal use industrial complex. They are exploited for their semen, their flesh, their whole bodies — sometimes, almost all at once. 📰 Full Story →
We Can’t Let the USDA Continue to Ignore Ridglan’s Offenses
Rise for Animals, 9/19/2025
This week, we at Rise for Animals partnered again with The Marty Project to file a new formal complaint against Ridglan Farms with the USDA.
As you know, Ridglan “farms” dogs, breeding and selling them to labs for use in testing and experiments. We recently revealed that state regulators are preparing to charge Ridglan with 311 violations for harming dogs on site. Now, we’re demanding that the USDA step in and enforce federal animal welfare law: 📰 Full Story →
Rescue coalition prepared to step in at Dane County dog breeder
Shaina Nijhawan, 15 WMTV, 9/14/2025
“As investigations continue into Dane County dog breeder Ridglan Farms, a national sanctuary says it stands ready to help rehome thousands of animals if necessary. Kindness Ranch Animal Sanctuary, based in Wyoming, describes itself as the largest sanctuary in the country dedicated to caring for and rehoming animals released from research and breeding facilities.”
“Executive Director John Ramer said the group is working alongside Wisconsin-based Marty’s Project to co-lead an ad-hoc committee of trusted rescue partners. The newly formed group is called the Wisconsin Beagle Protection Coalition.” 📰 Full Story →
Victory! Dogs from St. Joseph’s Dog Lab RELEASED—But Secrecy Continues
Bridget Demarsh, Animal Justice, 9/11/2025
“[St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario] has now confirmed that six out of eight surviving dogs used in its secret experimentation lab have been transferred to an anonymous organization, and the remaining two will soon join the rest.”
“The decision to rehome the eight survivors of St. Joseph’s dog testing program is a breakthrough moment, and one that we celebrate. However, instead of celebrating this milestone openly, St. Joseph’s has continued to shroud the dogs’ future in secrecy. The hospital refuses to disclose where the dogs have been sent, how they’re doing, or who will care for them. The secrecy appears designed to shield St. Joseph’s, the Lawson Research Institute, and Western University from further embarrassment over the cruelty these dogs endured—and it will prevent their stories from being told.” 📰 Full Story →
Bill to allow use of euthanized shelter animals for research draws backlash
Hankookilbo, The Korea Times, 9/12/2025
“A proposed amendment to Korea’s Animal Protection Act that would permit animal shelters to provide euthanized animals for veterinary research and education has ignited heated debate. While some veterinarians say the bill could ease the shortage of cadavers for training, animal rights lawyers and groups warn it risks encouraging abuse and undermining the dignity of abandoned animals . . . They said it contradicts Article 49 of the same law, which bans the use of abandoned animals in experiments, and violates the ‘3Rs’ principle of replacement, reduction and refinement in animal research.”
“Concerns are not merely theoretical. In Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, two of three dogs adopted from a city shelter by a pharmaceutical company operating a veterinary hospital were later euthanized and allegedly used as cadavers for training, according to reports earlier this month.” 📰 Full Story →
Protesters rally against beagle breeding for medical testing in Wayne County
News10NBC, 9/12/2025
“Protestors gathered outside Marshall BioResources in North Rose, Wayne County, to voice their opposition to the breeding of beagles for medical testing.”
“The protest, which lasted for hours, was aimed at drawing attention to what demonstrators described as cruel practices. ‘They’re exposing these beagles to these terrible tortures and they’re being treated in a way that is inhumane by definition in the name of science and we’re just against that completely,’ said protester Adam Durand.” 📰 Full Story →
State Senate passes tougher limits on animal testing
Christina Lengyel, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 9/13/2025
“ . . . the legislation [Pennsylvania’s “Beagle Bill”] will ban the use of public funds toward animal testing [on dogs and cats] deemed painful by the USDA. It will also ban the use of public funding toward devocalization surgeries on dogs and cats and require laboratories to be in compliance with federal regulations in order to receive public funding. Those using animal testing will be required to keep thorough records and accounting for greater transparency.”
“Additionally, the bill includes several measures to improve the lives of dogs and cats who are bred for animal testing” and “requires laboratories to use available non-animal testing methods when they have been approved by regulating bodies. The senators say this measure not only helps animals but advances the science being conducted.” 📰 Full Story →
⚠️ Help dogs and cats in labs by supporting a “Beagle Bill” in your state! Take action now.
Federal report uncovers mistreatment at UC Davis monkey facility, injuries and death
Veronica Catlin, FOX40 News, 9/13/2025
“The California National Primate Research Center at the University of California–Davis is under fire after a federal report revealed continued mistreatment of monkeys at its facility.”
“On July 30, the [USDA] published a report that said UC Davis facility employees were found to be responsible for the physical harm and or unnecessary discomfort to some of the monkeys. In one incident, UC Davis employees reportedly made a mistake during handling and administering anesthesia, which was discovered amid a routine inspection. The USDA inspection report said the same monkey suffered a 3 x 5 inch burn on the right dorsal back, which resulted in a month-long extensive treatment before the animal was discharged to their home cage. This trauma was attributed to an injection that was ‘inappropriately warmed and delivered’ to the monkey ‘without carefully checking the temperature,’ according to the USDA.”
The report also noted another monkey, a macaque, found with severe injuries from a[n] [en]closure malfunction in February 2025. The USDA said the injured animal was euthanized. . . UC Davis was also federally cited because several animals in enclosures did not meet the minimum required floor space under the Animal Welfare Act.” 📰 Full Story →
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