The Hen Report: “This Is It” | Inside the Ridglan Beagle Rescue
MAR 26, 202634 MIN
The Hen Report: “This Is It” | Inside the Ridglan Beagle Rescue
MAR 26, 202634 MIN
Description
In this episode of The Hen Report, Jasmin and Mariann are joined by open rescue pioneer Adam Durand to discuss the dramatic March 15th Ridglan Rescue — a coordinated action in which 100 activists descended on a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility supplying dogs to medical research labs, ultimately freeing 22 dogs despite reinforced doors, an aggressively blocking vehicle, and on-site arrests. Adam shares what it was like inside, why the public response has been unlike anything the movement has seen before, and what comes next as organizers plan a follow-up action with a prospective 2,000 participants. The Ridglan Rescue: 100 activists used angle grinders and bolt cutters to breach a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility on March 15th, rescuing 22 dogs bound for use in medical research — a culmination of years of open rescue advocacy led by Wayne Hsiung, Alexandra Paul, Adam Durand, and others from the DxE network. Inside the facility: Adam describes conditions identical to factory farms — wire mesh cages, ammonia-saturated air, and near-total sensory deprivation — contradicting the assumption that medical research kennels meet higher welfare standards. Public support and media momentum: The rescue generated overwhelming mainstream support, with even law enforcement expressing conflict over the arrests, reflecting a cultural shift in how people view animals. Legal landscape: Ridglan faces court findings of illegal cruelty and has been ordered to exit the dog-supply business, but a deal with prosecutors has delayed and denied criminal accountability — the central grievance driving continued direct action. What’s next — April 19th, Madison, WI: Organizers are aiming to mobilize 2,000 people for a follow-up action at the Blue Mounds facility; participants can sign up at savethedogs.io and choose roles ranging from front-line rescue (with arrest risk) to public protest on open land.
RESOURCES Adam Durand on episode 847 Warm Hearts, Wet Noses, and the Questions We Can’t Ignore Maddie Krasno of Justify on episode 780 Melanie Kaplan on episode 884 Tom Regan Visiting Research Fellowship We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read this episode's interview. _____________________________________________ Thank you for listening to the Our Hen House podcast! If you enjoy our podcasts, believe in our mission to effectively mainstream the movement to end the exploitation of animals, find community and solace in our shows and resources, and would like to show your support for vegan indie media, please make a donation today. Contributions of any amount will go towards our fundraising goal and are hugely appreciated. Our Hen House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so it’s tax-deductible. Thank you for helping us create quality content! Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcatcher, and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review! Check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series. Follow us on social media! You can find Our Hen House on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky. The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.