Dozens of rescued lab beagles need Bay Area homes

Northern California Beagle Rescue said 50 beagles rescued from Wisconsin’s Ridglan Farms arrived in the Bay Area on May 10 after a roughly 2,000-mile trip and are now being placed in foster and adoptive homes across Northern California. The dogs are part of a larger transfer of more than 1,500 beagles removed from the breeding and research facility through an agreement involving Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy. ABC7 reported on May 8 that the Northern California group, also known as Northern California Animal Rescue Friends, had arranged for 50 of the dogs to come to the region, with arrival planned for San Jose early on Sunday, May 10. By May 11, the station reported that a busload of the dogs had reached the Bay Area and was being received by volunteers. ### Where did these beagles come from? (abc7news.com) Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, bred beagles for scientific research and was the site of protests earlier this spring. Wisconsin Public Radio reported that rescue groups purchased more than 1,500 dogs from the facility after Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy struck a deal with Ridglan. The Associated Press and other outlets reported that the agreement followed clashes in April in which activists trying to remove dogs from the property were met by police using tear gas and pepper spray. (abc7news.com) The purchase price was not disclosed. ### Why are Bay Area volunteers seeing these dogs now? Fifty of the rescued dogs were assigned to Northern California for intake and placement, according to ABC7. (wpr.org) Linea McPherson, identified by ABC7 as president of Northern California Animal Rescue Friends, said the dogs would go to foster homes in the Bay Area and Sacramento and receive medical evaluations the following week. (apnews.com) NBC Bay Area reported on May 12 that dozens of the beagles were already getting settled into homes around the region. ABC7 said the placements included San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, among other communities. ### What condition are the dogs in? Volunteer Wendy Lansdon told ABC7 that some of the dogs were quiet, some were happy and others were terrified when volunteers first boarded the bus. (abc7news.com) She said the dogs needed dental care and that many basic experiences were new to them. ABC7 reported that rescuers described the dogs as taking first steps on grass and learning to drink and eat from bowls. (nbcbayarea.com) The station also reported that some were underweight. ### Are foster homes still needed? Northern California Beagle Rescue said on its adoption listings page that it is “no longer accepting applications for fostering or adoption” for the Ridglan Farms beagles after receiving enough offers to cover the current group. (abc7news.com) A reposted version of the group’s social-media message said it had received thousands of applications within days. SFist and The Cool Down had earlier reported that the group was seeking foster volunteers in Fremont, San Jose and Sacramento, near where the dogs were receiving treatment and care. (abc7news.com) The rescue’s volunteer page says people who want to help can still contact the organization by email. ### What help is the rescue still asking for? Northern California Beagle Rescue’s website says its dogs are kept in foster homes or shelters across Northern California and that the group does not operate adoption centers. (norcalbeagles.com) The organization also says prospective adopters are screened and meet dogs through foster homes or shelters. The Cool Down and SFist reported that the group is continuing to seek donations to help pay for veterinary treatment and rehabilitation costs for the Ridglan dogs. (sfist.com) The rescue’s website also maintains general volunteer and contact pages for people offering other assistance. ### What happens next for the broader Ridglan rescue effort? Wisconsin Public Radio reported that Wayne Pacelle of the Center for a Humane Economy estimated about 500 dogs could still remain at Ridglan Farms, though he said advocates did not know the exact number. (norcalbeagles.com) Pacelle told the outlet that Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center still hoped to buy any remaining dogs in the coming months. (thecooldown.com) Northern California Beagle Rescue says the current Bay Area intake is spoken for, but its donation and volunteer channels remain open as the dogs move through veterinary care and home placement. The rescue’s website continues to post adoption information and contact details for supporters in Northern California. (norcalbeagles.com) (wpr.org)