Learn about Best Friends’ efforts to assist other organizations in rescuing puppy mill dogs around the country.
Ozark County, Missouri: February, 2009On February 24th, Best Friends received a call from the Missouri Department of Agriculture; they planned to shut down River Valley Kennels Puppies, and there were going to need help to do it. The kennel was unlicensed, and had close to 200 Springer Spaniels, German Shorthair Pointers and a few other breeds running loose on the property. Later that same day, the kennel’s owner set fire to his house and kennel and was subsequently arrested—the dogs needed us NOW.
For stories, photos and videos about the rescue,
click here.
Parkersburg, West Virginia: August, 2008Nearly 1,000 dogs and puppies have a new lease on life following their release from a large breeding facility tucked away in the woods of West Virginia, just outside of city of Parkersburg. Best Friends assisted the prosecution weeks before the bust, we provided on-the ground support, and helped place the dogs with rescue groups. Stay tuned for the possibility of puppy mill legislation in West Virginia. For stories, photos, video about the case, and a petition,
click here.
Los Angeles County, California: May, 2008It began when several groups decided to protest Posh Puppy, a "puppy boutique" that opened just in time for Christmas--right in the heart of the Beverly Hills shopping district. World Kennel USA, a derelict kennel outside Los Angeles was discovered to supply puppies to the Posh store. This led to undercover investigations by the media, and subsequent liquidation of nearly 300 dogs from the kennel, right into the hands of rescue. To read more about the case, including the news media investigation and stories of the dogs' rescue,
click here.
Bland County, Virginia: October, 2007Working with local humane groups, Best Friends got more than 180 dogs and puppies out of the commercial breeding cycle forever. Through grassroots efforts, the breeder was forced to shut down, and Best Friends intervened before the dogs were to be sold at auction. To read the stories, meet the dogs, and learn more about the rescue,
Click here…Obion, Tennessee: July, 2007The breeders in this case were charged with animal cruelty in 2004. All their dogs were taken away, and then by using a legal loophole (Tennessee’s one “get out of jail free” card) the breeders were let off the hook. This summer, a local SPCA investigated, found nearly 140 dogs living in filth, and brought charges against the breeders again. Best Friends got involved when the court system began to do strange things, appearing to protect the breeders from any penalties due to the conditions found at their “kennel.” Best Friends battled in court along with the local humane agency heading up the case, and in the end we and the dogs lost. The dogs were returned to the breeder, and they are currently selling puppies online. To read about the case, and to see photographic and video evidence,
Click here… Omaha, Nebraska: June, 2007In May, Nebraska Humane Society rescued 173 small-breed dogs from a breeder/hoarder in rural Nebraska. While most of the dogs were friendly, needing only a little love and medical attention before they could go into new homes, some of the dogs presented a bigger challenge. Because they had been crowded in dilapidated cages for most of their lives, a handful of the dogs were extremely fearful of humans—to the point of being semi-feral. Since working with dogs like these is Best Friends expertise, we agreed to take the ten most challenging little ones. To read about the rescue and the dog’s arrival and progress at Best Friends,
Click Here…You can help support Best Friends' work to fight puppy mills!Click here to donate: Best Friends is a 501c3 nonprofit. By donating to our puppy mill campaign, your dollars will go directly toward the fight against breeding pets for profit.