Black Sabbath bassist Terry "Geezer" Butler and pop star Debbie Gibson have joined forces to support the rehoming of approximately 1,500 beagles rescued from a former research facility. The unlikely duo came together at the Dane County Humane Society in Wisconsin on Tuesday to highlight the ongoing efforts to find new homes for the dogs, which were purchased from Ridglan Farms near Madison.
A Historic Day for Animal Welfare
Butler, co-founder of the legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and Gibson, who shot to fame as a teenage pop sensation in the 1980s, expressed their shared passion for animal welfare. "It was so profound to be able to hold each of these dogs in our arms and assure them that their new life was starting," Gibson said. "Today was a very emotional day."
Butler, who owns five dogs and five cats, praised the beagles' unwavering affection. "They've never let me down," he said. "They're always loving." The musician described the rescue as a historic step toward ending animal experimentation. "This is just the beginning," he added.
Rescue Efforts Underway
The beagles were purchased from Ridglan Farms by the Center for a Humane Economy and Big Dog Ranch Rescue, both organizations opposed to animal testing. The deal was struck last month following a violent clash between animal rights activists and police outside the facility. Activists had broken into the facility in March and removed 30 dogs, leading to increased scrutiny of Ridglan's practices.
At the humane society, volunteers cradled beagles as they awaited veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and other care. The Dane County Humane Society is responsible for rehoming 500 of the dogs, with over 1,300 people already expressing interest in adoption. "It's not a tough sell to get beagles into homes," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy. "The response across the nation has been overwhelming."
Background of Ridglan Farms
Ridglan Farms agreed to surrender its state breeding license by July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. The company had denied mistreating animals, but a special prosecutor found that eye procedures performed at the facility violated state veterinary standards. The first 1,000 dogs were removed earlier this month and are in temporary shelters across the country, with the remaining 500 now arriving at the Dane County Humane Society.
Gibson, who released her debut album at 16 in 1987, said she plans to foster and possibly adopt one of the beagles she met. "This little guy was the last one put in my arms, and I couldn't put him back in a cage," she said, cradling a beagle. When asked if they might collaborate on a song about dogs, Butler and Gibson chuckled. "Maybe," Butler said with a smile, a beagle still on his lap.
