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River Valley Rescuers Return

March 03, 2009, 2:14PM MT

By Jennifer S Hayes

Best Friends team completes deployment to Missouri having helped 200 dogs

After a labor intensive three-day rescue operation, the Best Friends team has completed their deployment, following the round up of approximately 200 dogs from the unlicensed River Valley Puppies Kennel of Tecumseh, Missouri, after owner Michael Vanderwall allegedly set fire to his property.

While the weather grew worse, the warm surroundings and loving care seemed to relax the traumatized canines.

Around 20 dogs who had been injured in the fire, as well as some of the youngest puppies, are receiving treatment at a local veterinarian. The rest have now been transferred to rescue groups, including:
• Midwest PAWS Pointer and Weimaraner Rescue
• English Springer Rescue of America
• No More Homeless Pets, KC
• Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia

“This was an ideal case where several organizations moved quickly to get all of the dogs off the property and into a good place,” noted Kelli Ohrtman, Best Friends Puppy Mill Campaign Specialist.

Though a few dogs remain on the property, one of the neighbors will capture them for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, where they will be transferred to the above mentioned rescues.

For the rest of the story, please see River Valley wrap-up

How You Can Help:

• You can help Best Friends continue such rescue efforts making a donation on puppymills.bestfriends.org.

• Join The Truth About the Pet Trade community to learn more about how you can help in your community.

• Never purchase a dog over the internet without inspecting the property from where the dogs were raised. For more information about how puppy mills trick unsuspecting owners and use the internet to sell dogs, click here.

For more information about this rescue:

Articles

• 2/26/09: Trial By Fire: Dogs Rescued From Missouri Breeding Facility
• 2/27/09: River Valley rescue
• 2/28/09: Day One Complete for River Valley Rescue
• 2/28/09: River Valley rescue: Wrangling
• 3/2/09: River Valley wrap-up
• 3/3/09: River Valley Rescued Dogs Go to Breed Rescue

Videos
• River Valley Puppies Rescue: Day 1
• River Valley Puppies Rescue: Day 2
• River Valley Puppies Rescue: Day 3
• Midwest PAWS Helps With River Valley Puppies

Groups involved in capturing the dogs
• Best Friends Animal Society
• Noah’s Wish
• Missouri Department of Agriculture

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: taken by Gary Kalpakoff, Best Friends photographer

Comments

Posted March 03, 2009, 9:49PM by Kelly4cats

The behind the scenes videos were so great. I hope people will be motivated to reach into their pockets and just give a little to support all the hard work everyone did. Props to BF also for mentioning the other groups who helped. You guys are my inspiration!

I couldn't help but think of the Wilkes dogs when watching the videos. I know they are watching from above and are happy these souls were spared.

Posted March 03, 2009, 6:19PM by ktsmom

Loved the videos. Rich, you are my hero! Thanks for another job well done.

Posted May 04, 2009, 10:4PM by clb1286

My boyfriend and I purchased a german shorthaired pointer puppy from this family last year. It breaks my heart that this happened...we had no idea that this is what was going on! I am so thankful that all of these puppies were saved..what an amazing job everyone did! And we are so thankful that we have our little girl..it just breaks my heart to know that she was living in these conditions and that all of these dogs had to go through what they did. God bless all of those who helped rescue these puppies!