How the Ridglan Situation Affects Kindness Ranch
To begin, we need to be absolutely clear: this is not a post about the events that took place at the breeding facility in Wisconsin. This is only about how those events directly impact Kindness Ranch and the people we work with.
Kindness Ranch has spent years building trust within the research community so facilities will willingly transfer animals to us. That trust takes years to earn and only a moment to lose.
Several years ago, we nearly lost a relationship with a facility that was actively releasing animals to us because we mentioned the state the animals came from. The research facility itself did not object. Instead, the breeder saw a social media post that said, “We just received (insert animal here) from (insert state here) and are headed home for their first steps of freedom.” The breeder then contacted the lab and told them that if they worked with us again, they would no longer sell them the animals they needed.
About a year later, another person active in animal activist communities live streamed themselves standing in front of a research facility we had a relationship with, broadcasting its location for everyone to see. Their actions caused that facility to stop working with any outside organization for more than a year. What happened to the animals there when they were no longer needed is anybody’s guess.
We share these examples to show just how delicate these relationships are. They are so fragile that the actions of people outside of them can directly damage them, often in very real and negative ways.
Whether we, as animal lovers, like it or not, animal testing is still legal in the United States. That does not mean we have to agree with it. It does not mean it is moral, ethical, or necessary. It simply means that it is legal. Ridglan was found to be in violation of many of the policies meant to protect the animals in its facility. The case then went through the legal process, a deal was made, and even if we do not agree with the outcome, the legal process was followed. The beautiful thing about our democracy is that if enough people are aware of something and do not accept it, laws can be changed.
I was in Wisconsin several times last year and again earlier this year. At first, it was because we were told about the citations the breeding facility had received and that it might be forced to release all of the dogs. We were part of a loose-knit coalition and offered our help if it was needed, nothing more.
When we were informed that a plea deal had been reached, we withdrew and returned to our normal routine. (Withdrawal letter available on request)
We were later asked whether we would be willing to consult and offer our roadmap to successful adoptions if a “Beagle Bill” were passed into law in the state. We returned to demonstrate that there are non-adversarial ways to work with facilities and encourage them to release animals to local groups, so that all of us can come together to ensure the best possible outcomes for the animals.
This is where Kindness Ranch is effective. This is what we do. This is how we have placed thousands upon thousands of dogs and cats into homes across the country.
Right now, there is a great deal of publicity surrounding the people who entered Ridglan Farms. The brighter that spotlight becomes, the darker the shadows it casts. It is in those shadows that a number of research facilities and smaller laboratory animal breeding facilities will retreat and hide. What will happen to the animals in those facilities? Who will those facilities feel safe enough to trust when it comes to willingly releasing their animals?
The “Beagle Bill” didn’t move forward because local groups said it didn’t do enough.
The group that entered Ridglan removed 30 dogs, and 8 were taken back, leaving them with 22 dogs.
Nationwide, there are currently more than 40,000 dogs either actively in research or waiting to enter research.
That means they removed less than 0.055% of the dogs currently housed for research.
Meanwhile, an untold number of dogs may now be withheld and potentially euthanized, far exceeding that number, because of the damage done to the trust we have worked so hard to build.
Yes, what they did has started a conversation. But like any adversarial action, there is always collateral damage. In this case, that damage may come in the form of court costs, convictions, or animals being killed by facilities that are now too fearful to ask for help placing them because they worry their fences, doors, and windows may be next.
What happens with the publicity of this moment matters. The ripple effects of these actions are being felt far and wide. If those actions do not create the change their supporters hoped for, then all they will have done is make the mission of Kindness Ranch, and the work of organizations like ours, exponentially more difficult and set our efforts back by years.
In the United States alone, based on the most recently published FY2024 data:
Dogs used in research: 42,880
Cats used in research: 12,004
Less than 1% of those animals will be released for adoption.
That reality matters.
If you are an activist using the name of Kindness Ranch to pressure, shame, or attack facilities, you are actively harming our mission. You may be closing doors that could have resulted in animals being released to us. In the worst cases, that cost is paid by the animals themselves.
If you are a research or breeding facility looking to work with an outside organization, we are here to help. Ask around. Speak with the facilities we already work with. Ignore the noise.
We have a proven roadmap for placing these dogs and cats into homes and allowing them to live out their lives with dignity and care. That process requires trust, cooperation, and steady work behind the scenes.
Let us do that work.
Let us do it without interference.
And to be absolutely clear:
The mission of Kindness Ranch is to provide a sanctuary and place of rehabilitation for animals who have been used in laboratory research while fostering compassion for all animals.
No more, no less.
Executive Director - John Ramer