The news comes following two recent mass rescue operations, led by animal rights activists.
As reported on the Fox 6 News on Thursday 30th April, the beagles are due to be handed over to dog rescue organisations, with reportedly 1,000 of them going to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, where they will receive medical attention, care and vaccinations, before being found homes. They are planning to start moving out the dogs on Friday 1st May 2026. These dogs will leave behind their days of severe suffering and misery, and will have the freedom to live out their lives with peace and love.
Over the last few months, there have been two mass actions at Ridglan Farms, attempting to liberate the beagles from the site. Both actions gained mass media attention, with public pressure and widespread support for the beagles, who are subjected to harmful animal testing procedures and forced to live in horrendous conditions.
On March 15, dozens of activists stormed the beagle breeding and research site, Ridglan Farms. The activists managed to get into the compound of caged dogs and carried 30 individuals, one by one, to freedom. However, due to police and security staff interventions, reportedly, only 22 beagles ended up being liberated, with 8 beagles being intercepted and taken back to the facility.
Then, on April 18, one of the biggest open rescue operations in history occurred, again at Ridglan Farms. This overt operation achieved a mass recruitment of over 1,000 activists, who were prepared to storm the site with the attempt of rescuing every single dog on the premises. Unfortunately, law enforcement attended also in large numbers, using equipment to deter activists, such as firing rubber bullets, pepper spray, and even tear gas.
Why this matters in the UK
This story has huge public support in the UK, where we are not immune from such abhorrent suffering: The notorious MBR Acres continues to breed beagles for safety and toxicity testing, and millions of other animals including rabbits, rats, and primates, are used in experiments every year. These animals endure unimaginable pain and suffering in the name of so-called science.
Recently, Animal Aid and Animals International released footage of toxicity tests happening right now in the UK – the first time in over a decade that we’ve seen footage from inside UK laboratories. This was followed by actions for World Day for Animals in Laboratories, as well as attending a rally and parliamentary debate on animal testing in the UK.
We need as much support as possible to help end animal testing.
More ways to help end animal testing:
Main image: Abbey and Maggie were both purpose bred beagles at a veterinary school. Most dogs are euthanized after their short life in a laboratory but Abbey and Maggie were rescued. Jo-Anne McArthur / The Ghosts In Our Machine / We Animals.
