Janesville-based fabric manufacturer Monterey Mills is donating the pictured, soft pet beds to animal organizations that are finding homes for beagles rescued recently from the Ridglan Farms breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. — photo submitted
Janesville-based fabric manufacturer Monterey Mills is donating the pictured, soft pet beds to animal organizations that are finding homes for beagles rescued recently from the Ridglan Farms breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. — photo submitted
JANESVILLE — A Janesville-based fabric manufacturer is donating pet beds to Wisconsin animal rescue organizations. It’s coming at a time when they could really use the help: those groups are helping care for 350 beagles recently rescued from the Ridglan Farms dog-breeding and research facility in rural Dane County.
Monterey Mills specializes in the production of knitted-pile fabric used for paint rollers, pads and mitts. Among the line of products is “soft, gentle, comfortable fabric” a part of the company’s medical and pet lines. The products are made using high-density polyester fiber.
“The dogs are extraordinarily comfortable on these beds. I think it’s going to be a great thing for these dogs,” Monterey Mills CEO Dan Sinykin said.
Ridglan farms is implicated in supplying beagles for biomedical testing that reports show involved inhumane and painful treatment of the dogs.
Sinykin pointed out that the beagles who’ll get the new beds had been confined at Ridglan Farms in stacked crates with exposed metal and no padding.
“It was obvious for us if they were going to be rescuing dogs and providing transition, we wanted to help with that,” Sinykin said.
Sinykin and his wife Jodi, a state senator, have done work with the Wisconsin Humane Society for 30 years. They have been “very active” in puppy rescue, Sinykin said.
“We care about dogs and animals,” Sinykin said.
Monterey Mills has a long history of stepping up in times of need. After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, the massive storm destroyed platforms and drilling rigs, and spilled oil onto the ground and into waterways. The company also donated face masks to law enforcement and seniors during the COVID pandemic.
“We feel like a manufacturer that should step up and help out, and that’s what we try to do,” Sinykin said.
The pet beds were picked up on Friday. Sinykin is urging the public to at least consider adopting one of the beagles, particularly if they would like to add a dog to their families.
“My wife and I have been married for 30 years. We’ve had six dogs and three rescues,” Sinykin said. “They’re great for your family. If you can give them a great home, they’re a wonderful addition.”
