Dane County Humane Society

Behind every new beginning is a lot of care.

While they wait for their veterinary exams, these beagles, released from Ridglan Farms today, are getting plenty of gentle attention from volunteers who are helping make today a little less overwhelming. This experience is completely foreign to these dogs, and for many of them, simple moments of kindness and reassurance can go a long way.

At the same time, our veterinary team is hard at work completing an important first step in each dog's journey. Every beagle receives a physical exam, age-appropriate core vaccinations, and a microchip before moving on to their next destination.

It's a busy day, but every exam completed helps prepare these dogs for what comes next.

We're grateful to the staff, volunteers, veterinarians, and partners for helping make it all happen.

Round two is underway and the dogs have arrived at DCHS!

Today, Dane County Humane Society joined Center for a Humane Economy, Beagle Freedom Project, Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Inc, and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies to help bring 68 more beagles out of Ridglan Farms and onto their next chapter.

This morning was filled with rolling vans, careful unloading, and plenty of teamwork as these dogs arrived at our facility. Our incredible team of staff, volunteers, and veterinary professionals are now beginning the important first steps of care, including exams and vaccinations, before the dogs continue their journey with trusted local partner organizations and Beagle Freedom Project

Every crate unloaded represents a dog getting closer to new experiences and a brighter new beginning.

Thank you to everyone working together to make this possible. We'll be sharing updates throughout the day as these dogs move through the next steps of their journey.

Our team is back at Ridglan Farms for round two, and we’re about to help change 68 lives.

Today, Dane County Humane Society is joining Center for a Humane Economy, Beagle Freedom Project, Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Inc, and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies to help bring 68 more beagles out of Ridglan Farms and prepare them for the next chapter of their lives.

In just a short time, six DCHS staff members and Beagle Freedom Project team members will enter the facility to gently remove dogs from their cages, carry them to waiting vans, and begin their journey to freedom. Once the dogs arrive at DCHS, our staff, volunteers, and veterinary professionals will provide exams, vaccinations, microchips, and other needed care before the beagles continue on to trusted partner organizations.

Soon, these vans will be carrying dogs toward new experiences, new opportunities, and brighter futures.

Thank you to everyone working together to make this possible. We'll be sharing updates throughout the day as these dogs move through the next steps of their journey.

Throughout the Ridglan Farms beagle release effort, we’ve received lots of questions and recently a big one has been “How many beagles remain at Ridglan Farms?”

The honest answer is: nobody outside of Ridglan Farms knows.

The last confirmed count comes from USDA inspection records from late January, which documented 1,945 dogs on the breeding side and 156 dogs on the research side—a total of 2,101 beagles.

Since then:

• 1,500 dogs were released from the facility last month (including the 500 staged at DCHS with Center for Humane Economy, Beagle Freedom Project, Wisconsin Puppymill Project, and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, and 1,000 to Big Dog Ranch Rescue).

• An additional 135 beagles are scheduled to leave this week (of which 68 will pass through DCHS’s doors).

• We believe approximately 200 dogs or more may have been sold to a laboratory last month.

• 22 dogs were removed in mid-March.

But those figures alone do not tell us how many dogs remain. Puppies may have been born. Dogs may have died. Dogs may have been transferred elsewhere.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) inspected the facility last month but did not conduct a head count. USDA has not publicly released a more recent count.

As a result, any specific numbers currently circulating on social media are simply estimates and speculation. The only entity that knows exactly how many dogs remain at Ridglan Farms is Ridglan Farms.

What we do know is that thousands of beagles once lived at this facility, and more dogs still need help. Our focus remains on securing the release of as many dogs as possible and finding them safe, loving homes. Dane County Humane Society and all of the other groups involved remain ready to help if additional dogs are released.

With thanks to Center for a Humane Economy. Learn more about advancing the policies needed to end the laboratory-animal pipeline here: https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/ridglan-beagle-release/

Show your support for local pets with a special bracelet from Kylee's Gift Cottage this June!

Throughout the month, special bracelets will be available for purchase at their store, and all proceeds will be donated to DCHS.

This fundraiser is in honor of Kylee, a rescued Chihuahua, beloved companion, and the inspiration behind the store's name. By purchasing a bracelet, you'll help celebrate Kylee's legacy while supporting animals in need.

Stop by the shop this month, pick up a bracelet, and help make a difference!

Check out this post from our Thrift Stores kicking off Pride Month! We're proud to support the LGBTQIA+ community here at DCHS and beyond!

Please join us in celebrating Jean Pauk, our May Volunteer of the Month!

As a volunteer in our Animal Medical Services (AMS) department, Jean is an essential part of the team that helps care for animals receiving medical treatment and recovery support. Her kindness, reliability, and dedication make a difference every single week.

Jean has a way of making even the busiest AMS mornings feel a little more manageable. Whether she's caring for animals in ICU and recovery, stocking supplies, tackling laundry, or jumping in wherever help is needed, she always approaches the work with a positive attitude and a willingness to lend a hand. Staff often find that tasks have already been completed before they even have a chance to ask, thanks to Jean's attention to detail and proactive approach.

Her impact doesn't stop in AMS. Jean also volunteers as a Feline Friend, spending time with cats throughout the shelter and helping ensure they receive the enrichment, attention, and affection they deserve. No matter where she's volunteering, Jean brings kindness, compassion, and a great sense of humor that brightens the day for animals, staff, and fellow volunteers alike.

Jean, thank you for the countless ways you support the animals in our care. From helping keep AMS running smoothly to giving cats some extra love and attention, your dedication makes a difference every day. We're so grateful to have you on the team and thrilled to celebrate you as our May Volunteer of the Month!

MAY DONATION NEWS - RIDGLAN BEAGLE RESCUE! 🐶
When 1,500 beagles were released from Ridglan Farms, one of the nation's largest breeders for laboratory testing and research, we knew we wanted to help support the effort.

After connecting with organizations involved in their rescue and care, Puppie Love was honored to make a $5,000 donation to (DCHS), a Wisconsin nonprofit that helped prepare 500 of these beagles for their next chapter through veterinary care, vaccinations, behavioral support, and transport to shelters and rescues across the country.

For many of these dogs, DCHS was also the place where they experienced simple joys for the very first time like grass beneath their paws, fresh air, open space, and compassionate human care. While many have since moved on to rescues and adoptive homes, others remained with DCHS to receive additional medical treatment and support as they adjusted to life outside of a breeding facility.

DCHS is an incredible animal welfare organization that accepts animals in need regardless of age, health, or temperament, while also providing education, wildlife rehab, foster support, pet food assistance, and so much more for their community. They are a pillar in the state and have been doing the hard work for a long time.

Stories like this are exactly why Puppie Love exists. We are incredibly grateful to Dane County Humane Society for the life-changing work they continue to do, and to the Puppie Love Pack for making this donation possible. The work is not over, but together, we're helping give dogs the second chances they deserve!

To learn more about DCHS, give them a follow or visit giveshelter.org.
To learn more about our donations visit puppielove.org/blogs/donations

💵 Your purchase matters! Puppie Love donates 10% of net profits to dog shelters and rescue groups nationwide. 🐶❤️