MADISON, Wis. — An unexpected alliance formed Tuesday as pop icon Debbie Gibson joined forces with Terry “Geezer” Butler from legendary metal band Black Sabbath to champion the rescue of approximately 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin research facility.
The two celebrities gathered not to collaborate musically, but to support the massive rehoming operation for dogs acquired from Ridglan Farms, a breeding and research operation located near Madison.
Setting aside Black Sabbath’s famous protest songs, Butler focused entirely on four-legged friends during his visit to the rescue effort.
“It was so profound to be able to hold each of these dogs in our arms and be able to assure them that their new life was starting,” Gibson expressed. “Today was a very emotional day.”
Both celebrities cradled beagles that had just arrived at the Dane County Humane Society from Ridglan Farms on Tuesday.
“They’ve never let me down,” Butler shared about his personal pets while visiting the humane society, which is handling placement for 500 of the rescued beagles. “They’re always loving.”
During their appearance in the humane society’s barn area, volunteers held beagles awaiting veterinary examinations, vaccinations, and additional medical attention.
Two animal advocacy organizations — the Washington, D.C.-based Center for a Humane Economy and Big Dog Ranch Rescue from Florida — negotiated the purchase agreement last month, acquiring all the dogs from Ridglan Farms for an undisclosed sum. Both groups actively oppose animal experimentation.
The rescue announcement came shortly after confrontations erupted between animal rights activists and law enforcement at the Ridglan facility. Officers deployed tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who claimed they intended to liberate the animals. Earlier in March, demonstrators had broken into the property and removed 30 dogs.
Multiple organizations are coordinating the relocation of all 1,500 purchased dogs to facilities providing veterinary treatment before transport to shelters across the nation for eventual adoption.
Interest in adopting these specific beagles has been extraordinary, with over 1,300 individuals contacting the Dane County Humane Society alone, according to Amy Good, the organization’s marketing director.
“It’s not a tough sell to get beagles into homes,” explained Wayne Pacelle, who leads the Center for a Humane Economy. “The response across the nation has been overwhelming.”
The initial group of 1,000 dogs was relocated earlier this month to temporary facilities managed by Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s partner organizations. This week marked the beginning of the Dane County Humane Society receiving the final 500 animals.
Ridglan Farms reached an agreement in October to surrender its state breeding permit effective July 1, avoiding felony animal abuse prosecution. While the company has maintained its innocence regarding animal mistreatment allegations, a special prosecutor concluded that Ridglan violated state veterinary regulations by conducting unauthorized eye procedures.
Butler, who shares his home with five dogs and five cats, described the day as a milestone in ending animal experimentation.
“This is just the beginning,” he declared.
Gibson, who launched her recording career at 16 with her 1987 debut album, announced plans to foster and potentially adopt one of Tuesday’s beagles.
“This little guy was the last one put in my arms, and I couldn’t put him back in a cage,” she said while holding the dog during her remarks.
When asked about potential musical collaboration focused on canines, both Butler and Gibson laughed.
“Maybe,” Butler responded with a grin, still holding a beagle.
