The Beagle Brigade
On April 29th, Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Center for a Humane Economy announced an agreement to transfer 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms. Our organization was contacted later that day to confirm selection as a rescue partner in the historic effort, and on May 5th, twenty beagles arrived in Winona — starting their path to become beloved companions.
What’s followed is a whirlwind of new adventures, ambitious challenges, heartwarming first experiences, and strong community support. Fundraising efforts began immediately, along with the call for special foster homes, and an astounding response ensued.
Animal advocates in Winona, nearby towns, and even across the country have encouraged their caretakers and kept spirits high. Over 100 foster applications were received within 48 hours and are being assessed for best fit placements.
We know there are so many caring individuals invested in the beagles’ story, cheering them on every step of the way. To share the dogs’ milestones and encourage the community to follow along, we’ve created this Beagle Brigade page for all beagle-related information, FAQs, and support options.
Explore ways to help, browse the beagle photo gallery, follow their upcoming progress timeline, and get answers to your questions!
Progress in Pictures
Frequently asked questions:
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While adoption is the end goal, this is their first introduction to nearly all life experiences and they must have a strong foundation for long-term success in adopted homes. Right now our team is directing attention toward the dogs’ immediate needs, veterinary schedules, decompression, and socialization until they’re ready, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 maintaining high-quality care for all animals within our system.
As vaccinations and spays/neuters progress, the beagles will get settled into foster home matches where they’ll continue learning, building confidence, trusting, and branching out.
Once they are available for adoption, their profiles will be added on winonahumane.org/dogs.
If you are seeking an adopted companion now, we strongly urge you to check out our available dogs! Several have been waiting for months — they’re ready to go and they’re just as deserving of love, home life, and companionship.
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Monetary and item donation support are crucially needed right now. Financial contributions are welcomed through winonahumane.org/donate, and a special beagle supply wishlist is available on Amazon (tap here). Some item examples are below:
Bleach (#1 most-needed cleaning item)
Purina One Small Breed dog food
Nylabones, hard chews, and durable chew toys
Greenies Pill Pockets
Small slip leads
Pupperoni
For those seeking to assist the beagles longer-term, possible foster families can apply on winonahumane.org/fostering. Please note that ideal foster matches must possess patience, understanding, gentle guidance, and lots of TLC. This will be the beagles’ first home experience and months may pass before they feel fully at ease. Detailed fostering information is included in the tab below.
Finally, there’s something within everyone’s power to help dogs like them: advocate for cruelty-free products and an end to animal testing now. Educate yourself from reputable sources, contact representatives, and choose your products wisely.
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An incredible number of foster applications have been received, and we’re so grateful for the outpouring of support, interest, and kindness to help the Ridglan beagles.
With that said, it’s also important that everyone fully understands what fostering will realistically involve and the specific needs these dogs may have. Hopefully with your help and guidance, they will get to the point of being comfortable, beloved house pets!
These beagles come from an environment with extremely limited exposure to normal home life. Some may be fearful, shut down, under-socialized, vocal, difficult to leash, fearful of handling, unfamiliar with stairs, grass, doors, televisions, mirrors, household sounds, windows, car rides, or being alone in a home environment.
Some may not initially seek affection or interaction from people at all. Others may panic, freeze, hide, pancake to the floor, scream/vocalize, attempt to escape, or submissively urinate when overwhelmed. None of them are considered potty trained, and accidents in the home should be fully expected.
Many will require significant decompression time, structured routine, separation anxiety support, careful management around doors and outside (due to flight risk), slow introductions, and LOTS of patience.
We are strongly prioritizing foster homes that: can provide calm and predictable environments, have limited chaos and overstimulation, include adults or older respectful children when possible, understand long-term patience and realistic expectations, and are willing to follow WAHS handling and decompression protocols.
All veterinary care must take place through Pet Medical Center; foster homes must be willing to transport dogs to Winona, MN for any vaccinations, surgeries, dental care, check-ups, and potential adopter meet-and-greets.
To help set realistic expectations regarding their placement timeline, the beagles’ second round of vaccinations is scheduled for June 2nd. Many of the dogs experienced significant adverse reactions following the rabies vaccine upon intake for state certification. Because of this history, all of the dogs require pre- and post-vaccination medications, and close monitoring to help ensure their safety.
We realize this is a lot of information to intake, and value everyone’s thoughtfulness in carefully considering their lifestyle match. The ultimate goal is securing loving environments for the beagles to safely decompress, heal, and begin learning what normal life looks like.
If you’ve considered the details above and feel you are the person to help along their journey, we invite you to apply on winonahumane.org/fostering.