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Animal rescues in Minnesota are welcoming dozens of beagles into their care this week from a biomedical research breeding facility in Wisconsin. 

Ridglan Farms was accused of mistreatment 

 tried to bust into their building last month before larger animal rescues stepped in. 

Many of the dogs are now on the road to adoption 

thanks in part to the Beagle Freedom Project

, which is coordinating the rescue of 500 of the 1,500 dogs. 

 is picking up 50 dogs on Thursday. Fifteen will be made adoptable through the 

 in Princeton, Minn. The Bond Between in Minnetonka 

These are dogs that have never been outside, seen grass or had extensive human contact, Liv Hagen, welfare director for the Animal Humane Society, told the MPR News Morning Edition show.

“These dogs essentially don’t know how to dog,” said Hagen. “They don’t know what it means to be loved by a human. To be a member of the family.”

Hagen said the beagles might hide in the initial weeks or months after rescue. New experiences have to come slowly and humans must have patience, she emphasized. 

“The world is very new and it's very, very big for them, and so it can be quite overwhelming,” Hagen said. “Every one of these dogs is an individual, so they're all going to respond a little bit differently to these new experiences, but generally, what we see are dogs that are quite under-socialized.”

While a dog with those needs might be too much for some families, Hagen said the best way people can help is by adopting other shelter dogs. Her group also welcomes volunteers, fosters and donations. 

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These are dogs that have never been outside, seen grass or had extensive human contact, Liv Hagen, welfare director for the Animal Humane Society, told the MPR News Morning Edition show Thursday.

Beagles rescued from Wisconsin breeder set to find new homes in Minnesota

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