News
Collaborative Rescue Effort Saves More than 40 Puppy Mill Dogs in LA
May 03, 2008, 1:11PM MT
By Kelli Ohrtman
Contributions from Best Friends members can help them start new lives
Contributions from Best Friends members can help them start new lives
Thanks to a collaborative effort between Last Chance for Animals (LCA) and Best Friends Animal Society, over forty puppy mill dogs are on their way to new homes, where they will never again be used for breeding to make money for their owners. Due to investigations, breeders were ordered to reduce their kennel from 402 to 100 dogs in one week.
It all started with the months-long investigation and protests against Posh Puppy, a Beverly Hills puppy boutique. Following LCA’s undercover investigation of the kennel’s suppliers, and a subsequent exposé by CBS news, World Kennel USA began doing the last thing that animal welfare orgs would think them to do: they began dropping off their dogs at the nearest shelter. There was no battle to get them to give up dogs, there was no last-minute dog auction planned, they just loaded them up and dropped them off. To the breeders’ dismay, CBS news crews were there, filming the whole thing.
In two days, World Kennel USA surrendered approximately 60 dogs to the shelter, all of whom have been adopted or are placed on hold. Meanwhile, LCA’s director Chris Derose decided to make things easier on the breeders, who now were leery of making another trip to the shelter with more dogs. He went to their property to let them know that if they had more dogs they needed to give up, that the rescue community would be glad to take them, provide them with medical care, and find them good homes. World Kennel USA took him up on the offer, and even said they would like to donate money and food for the dogs’ care. Next thing LCA knew, they were scheduled to accept as many as forty dogs from the breeder—with just hours notice. Pictured above: Dogs waiting to be picked up from the breeder’s property
Now What?
LCA is one of the leading investigative organizations in animal welfare, and they have driven the investigation since its inception. But, (and that’s a big but) they are not equipped to house and care for dogs. That’s why it’s a good thing they have friends. Best Friends, to be exact. When LCA found out the breeders wanted to hand over forty dogs, they asked Best Friends for help in finding medical care, spay/neuter, and to network the dogs for placement with appropriate rescue groups in the Los Angeles area.
Best Friends’ LA staff is constantly working with local rescues on mobile adoptions, Super Adoptions, shelter cleanup projects, and other collaborative efforts. Best Friends staff was alerted, and immediately started making calls to trusted rescue groups—many of whom had attended the LA Super Adoption less than a week earlier. Pictured left: Rescued Yorkie
“Our main concern is to avoid any type of interval where the dogs are in limbo,” said Liz Finch, Animal Help manager at Best Friends. “We’re going to pull out all the stops to get these dogs into safe environments as quickly as possible. Hopefully, we can get them all settled by the weekend.”
Your Help is Needed!
Best Friends couldn’t do this work without the help of our many supporters in the fight against puppy mills and the pet trade. If you would like to help support Best Friends’ work to stop puppy mills by making a donation, please click here.
To learn what you can do to help stop puppy mills, visit the Resources section of this site.
Check this site for more information and updates as they become available.
It all began when Posh Puppy opened its doors in Beverly Hills—right before Christmas. To follow the story from the beginning, see the stories below
December 19, 2007
Peaceful Pet Store Protest: Beverly Hills
December 28, 2007
Posh Puppy Store Closes in Reaction to Protest in Beverly Hills
January 24, 2008
Animal Lovers Aren’t Giving Up
March 25, 2008
Posh Puppy Besieged by Protestors for Twelfth Straight Week
Apr 7, 2008
Posh Puppy Store Exposed on KTLA For Selling Puppy Mill Dogs
May 2, 2008
World Kennel USA Exposed
May 3, 2008
Collaborative Rescue Effort Saves More than 40 Puppy Mill Dogs in LA
By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Animal Society
Photos by Elle Wittlesbach