On 12 August, the last 155 dogs still being held at the Blue Mounds facility—14 adults and 141 puppies, many of them only three or four months old—finally passed through its gates. Before being entrusted to the organisations responsible for their rehabilitation and adoption, the beagles underwent veterinary examinations and, for many of them, experienced grass and the outdoors for the first time.

With this final transfer, more than 2,100 dogs have been removed from the facility and saved from animal testing since May. The rescue operations were coordinated by Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy, with the support of numerous animal protection organisations and shelters across the United States.

A delicate journey now begins for these animals. Many of them will have to discover an entirely new reality made up of open spaces, individual care, positive interactions with people and, hopefully, a loving family. The organisations involved will provide veterinary care, spaying and neutering, behavioural rehabilitation and responsible adoption pathways.

The result of years of mobilisation

Operating for more than 60 years, Ridglan Farms bred beagles for biomedical research and also carried out animal testing at its facility. For years, it had been at the centre of investigations, complaints and campaigns led by animal protection organisations.

Testimonies and investigations raised serious concerns about the conditions in which the dogs were kept and about invasive procedures allegedly performed by unqualified staff without adequate pain relief. Following a lengthy legal and administrative process, the company agreed to surrender its commercial dog breeding and selling licence by 1 July 2026.

The permanent closure of the facility and the removal of all the remaining animals are the result of years of mobilisation by organisations, activists, experts, whistleblowers and concerned citizens who continued to demand justice and a different future for these dogs.

An important victory, but the fight must continue

The closure of Ridglan Farms represents a significant milestone and demonstrates how the joint efforts of civil society can lead to concrete change. Nevertheless, thousands of dogs and other animals continue to be bred and used in laboratories around the world every year.

OIPA ETS has always stood firmly against vivisection and all forms of experimentation that cause animals suffering, fear and death. The organisation therefore welcomes this historic victory and reiterates the urgent need to accelerate the transition towards innovative, reliable and animal-free research methods.

“The closure of Ridglan Farms is a historic victory and sends a powerful message: facilities that breed and use animals for experimentation do not represent the future of scientific research. OIPA ETS has always fought against vivisection and will continue to promote ethical, advanced and animal-free methods. Every beagle rescued reminds us that animals are sentient individuals, not laboratory instruments, and that science must progress without inflicting suffering on them,” said Massimo Pradella, President of OIPA ETS.

Scientific progress cannot be separated from ethical progress. Investing in advanced technologies and human-relevant research models means protecting animals while promoting science that is increasingly effective, responsible and relevant to human health.

For the more than 2,100 beagles rescued from Ridglan Farms, a new life can finally begin. They are no longer numbers or instruments destined for a laboratory, but sentient individuals with the right to experience freedom, safety, respect and the love of a family.

L'articolo Ridglan Farms Permanently Closes: More Than 2,100 Beagles Saved from Animal Testing proviene da OIPA.

The authority informed OIPA that it had already been made aware of actions carried out by the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office, with the participation of the Investigative Police and the Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security of Playa del Carmen. According to the official communication, these operations included an intervention at the Animalandia Maya facility during which several wild animals were placed under official protection (“asegurados”), in accordance with the federal authorities’ jurisdiction.

PROFEPA further stated that it is currently coordinating actions with the state and municipal authorities involved in the case in order to provide the necessary attention to the wildlife specimens concerned and to carry out all measures within its legal mandate to guarantee their protection and welfare, in accordance with Mexico’s General Wildlife Law and other applicable legislation.

The authority also confirmed that it will continue following the actions related to the protection, safeguarding and conservation of the wildlife species placed under official protection, while pursuing any administrative measures that may fall within its competence in coordination with the relevant institutions.

This official response follows OIPA’s previous appeal, in which the organization urged the competent Mexican authorities to investigate reports concerning the alleged exploitation of wild felines and other wildlife species for tourist entertainment at Animalandia Maya. OIPA had requested an official inspection to verify the conditions in which the animals were being kept and used, following numerous reports, testimonies, photographs and publicly available materials raising concerns about direct interactions between tourists and wild animal cubs.

OIPA welcomes the official response from the Mexican authorities and appreciates the constructive institutional dialogue established on this important matter. The organization will continue to closely monitor developments and remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at protecting wildlife, promoting animal welfare and encouraging responsible and ethical tourism worldwide.

Read our previous article: OIPA ETS Calls on Mexican Authorities to Investigate Reports Concerning Animalandia Maya.

L'articolo Animalandia Maya: Mexican Authorities Respond to OIPA’s Appeal and Confirm Ongoing Wildlife Protection Measures proviene da OIPA.

The decision reflects a broader cultural shift and growing awareness about the welfare of animals used for entertainment. For many years, animal protection organizations have raised concerns about the conditions in which animals are kept in travelling circuses, where they are often confined in small spaces, transported frequently, and forced to perform behaviours that are unnatural for their species.

For OIPA ETS, which has long campaigned against the use of animals in circuses, this announcement represents an important and symbolic victory. For decades, the organization has worked to raise public awareness about the suffering endured by animals used in circus performances and has advocated for legislation that would put an end to their exploitation for entertainment purposes.

Wild animals such as lions, tigers and elephants have complex physical and behavioural needs that cannot be met in circus environments. The constant transport, limited space and forced performances can lead to chronic stress, behavioural disorders and serious welfare concerns.

A crucial aspect of this transition concerns the future of the animals currently held by circuses. These animals cannot simply be released into the wild, as many of them were born or raised in captivity and do not possess the survival skills necessary to live independently in their natural habitats. For this reason, the most responsible solution is their relocation to specialised sanctuaries or protected facilities where they can live in environments better suited to their biological and behavioural needs.

The decision by the Orfei circus reflects a growing transformation within the entertainment industry. Across Europe and other parts of the world, many circuses have already moved toward performances that rely entirely on human talent, including acrobatics, theatre and artistic expression.

For OIPA, this development represents an encouraging signal that public awareness and advocacy efforts are contributing to an important cultural change.

Ending the use of animals in circus performances is a crucial step toward ensuring that wildlife is no longer exploited for entertainment and that animals are recognised as sentient beings deserving of respect, protection and dignity.

L'articolo Italy: End of Animal Performances at Orfei Circus Marks an Important Victory for Animal Welfare proviene da OIPA.

Do you remember Baloo and Baghera, two Maremma sheepdogs that have been abandoned in the hot sun, and found in tragic conditions – undernourished, thirsty and hungry? When OIPA volunteers found them in the beginning of June, they were completely lacking fur, affected by a severe form of sarcoptic mange and their skin was almost completely sunburned.

Look at these two now, after the treatments OIPA volunteers from Teramo provided them with in the last month. This has been made possible thanks to all the donations they received, and Baloo and Baghera are happy and smiling again. Once recovered, they managed to go back to their normal weight and now they are full of energy again. The good news does not end here, because moreover, they will never have to split – a beautiful family adopted them together.

This is a story that we would not have been able to write without the help of each one of you, who contributed to the recovery of these two fluffy puppies. Donating for veterinary treatments means changing the fate of many adorable souls that would not have had any chances of survival otherwise.

We express our sincerest gratitude on behalf of OIPA Teramo volunteers, Baloo and Baghera and OIPA International.

L'articolo BALOO AND BAGHERA’S SMILE: A VICTORY MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO YOU proviene da OIPA.

The dog was found, with other 6 dogs, in the house of a 34 years old woman. She declared that the dog was a gift of her sister-in-law, but she could not get in touch with her. OIPA Guards did not believe the woman and made further inspections with the dogs’ owners national database. They discovered that the dog, Minu, belonged to a family in Forlì which reported the dog theft to the local police in 2014.

OIPA Animal Guards reported the woman to the police, while the dog was brought back to the right owner in Forlì.

Minu’s owner was surprised and happy to see again the dog after three years.

Breed dogs thefts are raising because these animals can be easily sold and they are used to breed puppies. OIPA Animal Guards recommend to spay/neuter breed dogs and always keep them supervised.

Become OIPA Supporter

Show your commitment to ending the suffering and abuse of animals by confirming your support to OIPA right now. Your gift today will strengthen our lifesaving work for animals in the food industry, in laboratories, in circuses and zoos, in dolphinariums and anywhere else that they’re mistreated.

L'articolo PUG DOG STOLEN AND FOUND BY OIPA ANIMAL GUARDS AFTER 3 YEARS. NOW IS BACK HOME proviene da OIPA.

The ban was made by the Director of Foreign Trade in India, which comes under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Fur factory farms across the world are remarkably poor and the methods in which they use to kill the animals for their skin and fur are extremely cruel and barbaric.

At present , India’s import policy allows import of “raw hides, skins, leather, fur skins” of reptiles, mink, fox and other furskins (whole, with or without head, tail or paws). But they are subject to India’s Wild Life (Protection) act, 1972 and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). 

Support the acitvities of OIPA India and read more about

Through a notification issued on January 3, 2017, India has announced a ban on the import of reptile, chinchilla, mink and fox skins.

The ban was made by the Director of Foreign Trade in India, which comes under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Fur factory farms across the world are remarkably poor and the methods in which they use to kill the animals for their skin and fur are extremely cruel and barbaric.

At present , India’s import policy allows import of “raw hides, skins, leather, fur skins” of reptiles, mink, fox and other furskins (whole, with or without head, tail or paws). But they are subject to India’s Wild Life (Protection) act, 1972 and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). 

Support the acitvities of OIPA India and read more about HERE

L'articolo OIPA INDIA GREAT VICTORY! INDIA TAKES A REAL STEP TOWARDS PROTECTION OF WILD ANIMALS, BANS IMPORT OF FOX FUR proviene da OIPA.

Elisa Norelli
OIPA International Campaigns Director

L'articolo GOOD NEWS FROM NORWAY: STOP TO SUBSIDIES TO COMMERCIAL SEAL INDUSTRY proviene da OIPA.

STOP VIVISECTION gives the European citizens the right to say NO to animal experimentation and calls for a more advanced science protecting both human and animal wellbeing.

One million of signatures was just the required minimum, but you can sign until 31st October, asking to stop vivisection forever.

Everyone can make the difference! Please sign now, there are 8 days left to sign: http://www.stopvivisection.eu/

Elisa Norelli
OIPA International Campaigns Director
24 october 2013

L'articolo Stop vivisection: thanks a million! proviene da OIPA.

The import into Member States for commercial purposes of skins of harp seal pups and hooded seal pups and products derived therefrom is prohibited under Council Directive 83/129/EEC of 28 March 1983 concerning the importation into Member States of skins of certain seal pups and products derived therefrom.

Seals are hunted within and outside the Community and used for obtaining products and articles, such as meat, oil, blubber, organs, fur skins and articles made therefrom, which include products as diverse as Omega-3 capsules and garments incorporating processed seal skins and fur. Those products are sold commercially on different markets, including the Community market. Given the nature of those products, it is difficult or impossible for consumers to distinguish them from similar products not derived from seals.

The hunting of seals has led to expressions of serious concerns by OIPA, members of the public and governments sensitive to animal welfare considerations due to the pain, distress, fear and other forms of suffering which the killing and skinning of seals, as they are most frequently performed, cause to those animals.

In accordance with the Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty, the Community is to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and implementing, inter alia, its internal market policy.

Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of this Regulation and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States shall notify the Commission of those provisions by20 August 2010, and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment thereto. By 20 November 2011 and thereafter every 4 years, Member States shall submit to the Commission a report outlining the actions taken to implement this Regulation.

Canada’s annual seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on Earth. Sealers bludgeon the animals with clubs and “hakapiks” (clubs with metal hooks on their ends) and drag the seals—who are still conscious—across the ice floes with boat hooks. Many of these animals are even skinned alive. Hunters toss dead and dying seals into heaps and leave their carcasses to rot on the ice floes because there is no market for seal meat.
OIPA welcomes the new REGULATION (EC) No 1007/2009, after many years of campaigns we win. We’ve made history. Thank you for being a part of our campaign to save the seals. Thank you to the European Union for rejecting cruelty.

Regulation (EC) No. 1007/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council on trade in seal products was adopted on 16 September 2009 and was published on 31 October 2009. It enters into force 20 days after publication. The Regulation prohibits the marketing of products derived from seals on the EU market. It applies to seal products produced in the EU and imported products. It does not apply to transit through the EU.

Now, we have to keep the pressure on Namibian authorities. Namibia now remains the only country on earth to round up nursing baby seals still suckling on their mother’s milk, driving them in-land away from the safety of the sea, and as they attempt to flee alongside their mothers back to its safety are clubbed and stabbed to death by rows of as many as 100 part-time migrant workers – everyday between July 1 and November 15, each year. Vomiting up their mother’s milk as they slowly die.

Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director

L'articolo THE EU BANS THE TRADE IN SEAL PRODUCTS proviene da OIPA.

European Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas said: “After many years of campaigning by European citizens I welcome the regulation which bans seal products from entering or being traded in the European Union. By upholding the highest standards the new legislation addresses EU citizens’ concerns with regard to the cruel hunting methods of seals. ”

Ban on seal products in the EU
The text agreed by the Council and the European Parliament in first reading reflects Europeans’ profound attachment to seals as sentient mammals capable of experiencing pain, distress and suffering. Tens of thousands of Europeans have sent letters to the European Commission, the European Parliament and national governments expressing their concerns about seal hunting.
The aim of the new EU legislation is to regulate the internal market and to address EU citizens’ concerns on the welfare of seals during commercial hunts. The regulation bans the placing on the market and the importing into the European Union of seal products for commercial purposes.
The new EU measures eliminate the disparate national rules in force and consolidate the fragmented European market in seal products. However, trade in seal products will be allowed for seal products derived from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities and which contribute to their subsistence.

Seal hunting in the world: The 30 species of seals are usually found along the coasts of polar and sub-polar regions of the globe, but some can also be found in some temperate regions. Of all these species, some 15 are targeted for hunting and represent an estimated population of 15-16 million seals. Seal hunting occurs year round, but the hunting season varies according to the region and the species targeted.

Background: Seals are hunted mainly for their skin, fat, and meat, but there is a rising market for omega-3 capsules containing seal oil. The methods used to kill seals and their effectiveness vary considerably. These include shooting seals with bullets, clubbing, and catching them in traps and nets. Those methods have raised serious concerns among citizens in the EU with regard to the animal welfare aspects.

On behalf of OIPA, thank you, to all the people who signed our petitions and alerts. Please, keep writing to give voice to the voiceless.

Paola Ghidotti
OIPA International Campaigns Director

L'articolo ENVIRONMENT: EU COMMISSION WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT REACHED ON SEAL PRODUCT BAN proviene da OIPA.