Rescued beagles begin new journey after being removed from Wisconsin research facility

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Fifteen beagles rescued from a Wisconsin research breeding facility are getting a second chance, thanks to a cross-country effort helping them find new homes.

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The dogs were removed from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that bred beagles for research, before arriving at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee.

Now, the beagles are headed to a rescue partner in New York — with help from Pilots to the Rescue.

“Seeing those videos it’s heartbreaking that they’re all in cramped quarters and being tortured,” said Michael Schneider, CEO of Pilots to the Rescue.

The organization previously helped transport some of the dogs from Wisconsin to West Palm Beach and is now helping move them to their next destination.

“This is our second transport. So the first transport we did in our main rescue plane, from Wisconsin, so we were at ground zero,” Schneider said.

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Schneider said getting the dogs to their next stop quickly helps reduce stress, especially after what they experienced.

“Because these beagles have been mistreated and they’re a little skittish, the faster we can get them from point A to point B, the less stress on the animals,” he said.

Schneider told Local 10’s Isabella Martin that the flight is being made possible through donated support, including a board member providing flight skills and contributing to the costs, while Boeing is sponsoring some of the flight hours.

As the plane prepares for takeoff, the 15 beagles are leaving their past behind with every mile — and for the people who helped rescue them, every hour in the air is worth it.

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