Putting Cruelty Out of Business - 179 Dogs Saved from VA Puppy Mill

Happy Birthday to Mabel

jhayes — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:26:29 GMT

Celebrating a puppy mill survivor who is now living the good life

You may remember Mabel from last October’s Virginia puppy mill bust, where she and 178 of her canine pals were rescued from a life of misery. While the exploitation of all the dogs was tragic, Mabel stood out from all the rest – used for breeding again and again despite her advanced years and vision loss.

Mabel herself says it best in her Network profile,

“I was born a Southern Belle, but now I'm a New York transplant. I was kept as a dog in a cage to produce puppies in a commercial breeding facility. There were rumors back at the old place that there were people on the outside fighting for our lives. Many of my poochie pals had been sold multiple times, each time with the hope that they would go into a home where they would have human companionship.

Our freedom came via Best Friends and all the wonderful volunteers that have given us love, laughter, and a roll in the hay, er, grass! Before I moved up North, I was trapped in despair, but now all I can smell are roses. My eyes are not so good but I can see all the people that love me, and that's enough!”

Now she celebrates her “Birthday,” having been rescued one year ago on October 12. Her circumstances today are a far cry from her prior life. No longer a tool used for churning out puppies for profit, she now lives in a loving home instead of a cage, making up for lost time by receiving lots of devotion and affection from her adoptive parents.

Please join Mabel in celebrating her one year anniversary of freedom. Learn about her life’s experiences, canine activism, and medical issues since her rescue, as well as share your warm wishes for a happy birthday with her through Mabel’s Blog.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Your contribution to Best Friends makes rescues like Mabel’s possible. Please click on the image to the right to make a donation today to help the effort to end the cruel puppy mill industry.

2. Interested in learning more about puppy mills and what you can do in your community to stop them? Please join The Truth About the Pet Trade community.

For more information:
• Mabel’s Blog
• A beagle’s tale
• Putting Cruelty Out of Business

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: provided courtesy of Mabel’s Blog

Volunteer Extraordinaire!

scratchtopaz — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 03:32:46 GMT

Liz Mostov is one of those altruistic people that make you believe in angels.

Well she is a New Yorker! She’s been out to volunteer to the Best Friends sanctuary while she was on vacation. She helped out at Dogtown at Old Friends, and volunteered with the special needs cats. She loved helping make a difference and was in awe of the setting in Kanab, Utah! But this is par for the course, for this woman that has gone on volunteer-vacations for the last five years. She’s gone as far as Africa to help out where help is needed.

It was this kind of spirit that brought her out to Middletown, New York when she heard about the original crisis at Pets Alive. As soon as she learned of animals in need her first question was “how do I get up there”? Turns out trains and buses are both available to get you from Manhattan to Middletown! She started going up the first week of May and hasn’t stopped. She is a concierge at a tony hotel on the Upper Westside where she gets Wednesdays off. Every Wednesday she is a fixture at Pets Alive, working harder than she does at her day job! She walks the dogs and then goes and helps out with the cats. She’s even helped out with the pigs. It’s obvious why Liz has been a member of Best Friends for years!

“I’ve been working with animal rescues in New York for years. But the city shelters were getting me too depressed. Then a back and knee injury limited what I was able to do (she was a professional dancer). I’ve volunteered with a cheetah rescue in Namibia – I like helping wherever I’m needed,” Liz shared.

And boy has she been helping! While she can’t walk the big dogs, she’s logging many miles walking the smaller dogs. “I love the dogs from Pets Alive, I like helping the new puppy mill dogs too, but they’ve gotten a lot of attention. And don’t forget, many of the dogs that have lived at Pets Alive probably came from puppy mills!”

Traveling two hours each way is really a testament to Liz’s commitment to the animals! She’s only missed three of her scheduled visits! “If I can walk, I can make it up there,” she says with a smile.

“You’re their eyes and ears and if a dog or cat has something wrong, often it’s the volunteers that can see it first because they have more time to spend with the animals.”

And she’s got experience with that too! She had also been a wildlife guide at the Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo. She’s also worked with an organization that created holist magnetic pet pads, which can help immensely for some arthritic dogs. Using magnets instead of taking pills and shots, it’s noninvasive and helps with circulation. She was even thanked by the famed designer Oleg Cassini for treating his dogs, well it was his assistant that called, but he told her to!

She was touched by the adoptions that took place through Pets Alive – and by one happy ending in particular. Bailey had to have his foot amputated. In many situations this would be a dog that would have no future, but at Pets Alive he was adopted out to a wonderful home! This is the kind of experience that every volunteer should have, and thanks to Best Friends there are so many different opportunities available to make a difference!

How You Can Help

Volunteer
Pets Alive will need volunteers as the months grow colder, and the hectic Holiday Season has many dedicated volunteers traveling. If you would like to volunteer, please get on the schedule for the next month and beyond. There are still many volunteers that show up on a daily basis, but it will start to peter out, and your help will be invaluable then! If you’re interested please call the main number at Pets Alive 845-386-9738 and ask for a Volunteer Coordinator!

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staff
image courtesy of Pets Alive

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Puppy Mill Rescue: In the Home Stretch

schnep — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:19:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who helped with this rescue!

It’s been exactly one month since the dogs rescued from a commercial breeder in Virginia set foot at Pets Alive. In that time, 140 adult dogs and 40+ puppies have been loved, doted on, cared for, spayed or neutered and placed into homes or rescue groups. On Friday, a handful of the rescued dogs will leave for Utah for continued medical treatment or diagnosis. But the rest are either snug in new homes, or are safe with the fantastic organizations who have stepped up to help.

Total resources to get 180+ dogs out of a life of breeding and into homes:
14 Animal welfare organizations
50+ Volunteers
35 Best Friends staff
200 Adopters
Donations of supplies and funds from generous supporters, including PetSmart Charities and the PetCo Foundation.

=====================================================

Below is a recap of the rescue.

March, 2007
A commercial breeder’s kennel burns to the ground, killing over 190 dogs. 100+ dogs housed in outdoor kennels were not affected by the fire.

June, 2007
The breeder applies for a permit to rebuild, which was granted, but with requirements for more humane conditions.

October
Breeder applies for a permit in the neighboring county, choosing not to rebuild with the required conditions.

October 4th: Permit denied

October 5-10th: Best Friends gets word that the breeder will sell all his dogs at auction. Working with Virginia PAWS, Margaret Mitchell Spay/Neuter clinic, Angels of Assisi, Best Friends negotiates to get the dogs out of the breeding world forever.

October 12th: Dogs removed from breeder, brought to a nearby staging area for triage.

October 14th, early morning: 180+ dogs arrive at Pets Alive in Middletown New York

October 14-20th: The dogs get settled, meet the volunteers, immediate medical needs are assessed and treated. 1,000 applications come in from families wanting to adopt dogs. Puppies move into their own room.

October 21-27th: Lots of spay/neuter! Volunteers continue to help to walk, socialize and make life better for the dogs. Dr. Frank McMillan arrives to assess and record the behavior of the dogs as part of a long-term study on the effects of puppy mills.

October 28-November 3rd: Adoptions begin. Eager adopters arrive to meet and choose a dog to bring home. Approximately fifty dogs go home the first week. Moms with litters of young puppies are transported to Animal Haven and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.

November 4th-November 9th: Adoptions continue. All dogs are now spayed or neutered. The first puppies are adopted into new homes.

November 10th: “Stop Puppy Mills: Adopt a Shelter Pet” event hosted in Liberty, New York. Area rescue groups attend, and 52 animals go into new homes. Click here to read more.

November 11th-17th: Final adoptions are completed. Shy dogs and more puppies, including bottle-fed babies are transported to BARKS, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter and ROAR. Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, Inc., (IMPS) and Scottish Terrier Rescue take dogs that have not been chosen yet for adoption.

One month of hard work, and a happy ending for all...

Thank you!

How You Can Help

DONATE
Best Friends is a 501c3 nonprofit, funded entirely by animal lovers. Your donations make this work possible. Thank you

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.
Puppy Mill Resources

Heroes in Rescue

kellio — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:01:56 GMT

Shelters and rescue groups in New York

Animal rescue groups and shelters are the heroes of animal welfare. They work tirelessly (often as volunteers) to make sure that as many pets as possible are placed in loving, permanent homes.

What many people don’t realize is that these groups and shelters are the far-flung safety net for animals raised by irresponsible breeders. Thousands of purebred dogs and cats end up in shelters and rescue groups—along with the best “designer” breeds of all (mutts!) Adopting from a shelter or rescue group is a wonderful option for anyone looking for a pet, including purebred dogs and puppies.

After the Virginia puppy mill rescue, we saw the demand adopters have for purebred and small dogs. While we only had 180, there are many, many more in the area waiting for homes. Below is a list of great places to adopt pets in New York and surrounding states. Also, don’t forget Petfinder when searching for the perfect pet.

Click on the poster above for information about a Best Friends adoption event in Liberty, NY on November 10th. Several of the groups below will be there!

Rescue Groups in NY:
*Please note that this list may not include all rescue groups and shelters. If you know of a great group, post a comment at the end of this list.*

Riverfront Keeshond Rescue

Peppertree Rescue, Inc.

New Jersey Small Dog rescue

SOS Dogs

Companion Animal Placement

Animal Haven

Animal Lovers

Capital District Humane Association

PawsAbilities

Animal Allies

Ulster County SPCA

Dutchess County SPCA

The Middletown Humane Society

Goshen Humane Society, Inc.

==============================================================
Members of the Mayor’s Alliance New York Breed Rescue Network

Cascade Beagle Rescue-East

Mid-Atlantic Basset Hound Rescue

Tri-State Basset rescue

Border Collie Rescue

New England Border Collie Rescue

Adopt a Boxer Rescue

Boxer Angel Rescue

Northeastern Boxer Rescue

American Bulldog Rescue

French Bulldog Connection

Long Island Bulldog Rescue

Pet Adoption League

Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue, Inc.

Cocker Rescue of New Jersey

Herding Dog Rescue, Inc.

Koss Dalmatian Rescue

Willing Heart Dalmatian Rescue

Doberman Pinscher Club of America

GROWLS—Golden Retriever Rescue

Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.

SHORE HEARTS GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE (SHGRR)

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue

Grateful Greyhounds

Italian Greyhound Rescue

Long Island Greyhound Transfer

Labrador Retriever Rescue-CT, Inc.

Labs4rescue, Inc.

Long Island Lab rescue

Metropolitan Maltese Rescue

Friends of Rescued Mastiffs

Internet Miniature Service

New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue

Eastern German Shorthaired Pointer Club Rescue Program

Green Mountain Pug Rescue

For the Love of Dog (Rottweiler)

Mountain Rottie Rescue

The Rottie Connection

New Jersey Schnauzer Rescue Network, Inc.

NYC Shiba Rescue, Inc.

Western New York Shiba Inu Rescue

The Husky House

Scottish Terrier Club of Greater New York

Miss Rumple’s Oprhanage for Small Dogs

Waggytail Small Dog Rescue

Tri State Weimararner Rescue

What If? If They Hadn’t Been Rescued, What Would Life Be Like?

scratchtopaz — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:52:11 GMT

A look into what life is like for a dog that endures a lifetime in a commercial breeding facility.

Since the rescued puppy mill dogs made the trip from Virginia to New York three weeks ago, people have applied by the hundreds to adopt them. On some days, you’d think we had Beanie Babies, or Tickle Me Elmo toys instead of dogs from a commercial breeder. What’s incredible to think about is that these very dogs, and millions more just like them, are no more than a commodity to the breeders who use them to make money. If they had stayed in that world, they’d now be at a dog broker’s facility, or on the way to auction, or at a different commercial breeding kennel. That’s the kicker about puppy mills. If you’re an adult breeder dog, you never get out.

The breeding facility the dogs came from was probably one of the less deplorable commercial kennels, or puppy mills, out there. From what we’ve been told, the facility was new (having been rebuilt after a tragic fire that killed nearly 200 dogs last Spring) and not extremely filthy and dark like many are. The dogs weren’t starving, and most are friendly. All said, even the “best” puppy mills are horrible places for dogs to live, and they contribute to much, much more serious issues.

Daily Life, Before and After
The Virginia breeder had approximately 180 dogs on his property. All lived in wire-bottom cages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for as long as he owned them. For a dog in a commercial facility there is no break up in their monotonous existence nor is there an environmental enrichment plan; spending time with dogs or taking them out of the cages just doesn't add to their profitability. The dogs are there to breed. Period.

Pictured left: Apricot—from life in a cage to life with a family.

Dogs in commercial breeding facilities never go for walks or play with toys or sit on someone’s lap, or even have a blanket to lie on. In the hands of people who care about animals, all the dogs, both adults and puppies will now be:

-Spayed or neutered in the name of stopping pet overpopulation
-Placed in appropriate, responsible homes (or will be soon)
-Given a lifetime guarantee that they will always have safe a place to go (Best Friends)
-Treated as companions, not commodities
-Cared for regularly by veterinarians

In the commercial breeding world, the dogs get none of the above. Even their puppies’ futures are uncertain.

Puppies: the Big Picture
Commercial breeders and pet stores sell puppies—not spayed or neutered, to the first person who wants them. They’ll sell to college kids living in dorms, to impulse and holiday shoppers, and there is no recourse for purchasers who may change their minds and decide they can’t keep the dog in the future. Think of how many puppies 140 adult dogs (100 of them female) can produce in a year, and where those puppies might be now, and whether their purchasers still have them, or ever had them spayed or neutered. It’s a scary thought.

Even worse are the congenital maladies we’ve found in this “breeding stock.” We’ve discovered dogs with heart murmurs, cataracts, glaucoma, luxating patellas (loose kneecaps, a condition which can require surgery), bad teeth, mange and more. These are all signs of neglect or genetic conditions that a responsible breeder would never allow to be passed on to a litter of puppies.

The increasing demand and ease of selling puppies over the internet has caused more and more commercial breeding facilities to pop up across the country. USDA licensure increases each year, and as family farms lose ground to big corporations, people convert their hog barns to puppy farms. For as bad as life is for those fuzzy, hidden faces in kennels across the country, the average consumer has no notion of that reality when they walk into a pet store.

What Can be Done About This Problem?
The simplest thing that everyone can do is to help reduce the demand for puppies. Tell friends and family to adopt! Every pet adopted is a life saved; don’t encourage breeders to mass-produce puppies by buying them in pet stores or online. Instead, search for all kinds of pets including puppies, kittens and purebred animals at:
www.petfinder.com
www.1-800-save-a-pet.com
www.pets911.com

You can also find a dog by contacting a local breed rescue organization by searching www.google.com Enter a city or state, the breed you are looking for, and the word “rescue.”

Pictured above: Dogs who would have spent life in a cage, now with new families

More Ways You Can Help

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.
Puppy Mill Resources
What you can do to help make a difference.

By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Network

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Stop Puppy Mills—Adopt a Shelter Pet!

schnep — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:48:40 GMT

Best Friends to host a New York adoption event on Nov. 10th

On November 10th, Best Friends will be hosting an event in celebration of rescue groups and shelters who work hard to place pets in loving homes. The public is invited to come out to meet rescued dogs—from Bassett Hounds to Rottweilers and everything in between!

After Best Friends rescued nearly 200 dogs from a commercial breeder in Virginia, we received over 1,000 applications from hopeful adopters. With so many interested people, and lots of pets looking for homes, we decided to “connect the dots” to do our part to put as many great pets in homes as possible. The best part? Every animal adopted is an animal not purchased from a pet store, over the Internet or through the newspaper.

In fact, shelters are full of pets who were bred for sale in stores, online or through newspaper ads. It’s estimated that 20% of animals in shelters are purebreds. Here’s a chance to pick up that slack left by irresponsible breeders—adopting shelter pets instead of buying is the very best way to stop puppy mills!

All pets at the event are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and come with a lifetime supply of love. A list of attending rescue groups will be ready shortly—stay tuned...

What: Rescue Me Adoption
When: Saturday, November 10th, 11:00-4:00 (Rain or Shine!)
Where: Liberty, New York—Tractor Supply 1939 State Route 52 Click here for directions.

Attending groups
Greyhound Rescue and Rehab

American Bullmastiff Rescue Association

Sweet Border Collie Rescue/Glen Highland Farm

Northeastern Boxer Rescue

The Rottie Connection

Mid-Atlantic Basset Hound Rescue, Inc.

If your rescue group would like to attend, please let us know. There is limited space so register today! (click on the Resources tab for registration documents.)

Thunder 102 radio will be there for a live remote broadcast. Get ready for some serious howling!

Thanks to Tractor Supply Company for hosting the event!

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Movin' On Up

schnep — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:27:47 GMT

Puppy mill dogs start going to new homes

by Kelli Ohrtman, Best Friends Staff

More than twenty dogs who never knew life outside a cage are now living in loving homes. As applicants are screened, references called and homes checked, the dogs rescued by Best Friends and local rescue groups in Virginia from a life of breeding for their owner’s profit are finally going to homes where they’ll be treated like one of the family rather than livestock. (Click here to read the original story...)

When the news came out on Oct. 14th that the rescued dogs had arrived at Pets Alive in Middletown, New York, 200 people filled out applications online to adopt them. By the end of the week, more than 1,000 applications had been filled out by people hoping to bring home a little rescued dog. It has taken nearly two weeks of preparation, including vet checks, spay/neuter, and behavior assessments, but most of the dogs are finally ready to go to homes.

Patti Perfetti, Best Friends’ adoption coordinator at Pets Alive, began calling approved applicants on Saturday to come in and pick out a dog. “We considered the applications in the order we received them,” Patti said. “Then we started calling applicants’ vet references and doing home checks.” Once all the pieces fell into place, it was time to start sending dogs home.

Ghost, a red and white Dachsund, was one of the first lucky dogs to be chosen. Her adopter Leslie arrived breathless at her scheduled time. “I’m so excited,” she told staff and volunteers at Pets Alive. “I can’t believe I’m really here!” She knew she wanted a Dachshund, as she has lost two of them to health problems and old age in as many years. After some deliberation, she chose Ghost. “Can I change her name?” asked Leslie. She was told of course she can—Ghost is now officially her dog. “LUCY! HER NAME IS LUCY!” Leslie shouted, her grin stretching from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, people waiting to hear back about their application have been asked for their patience. It has taken hours of marathon application processing[?]--reading, vet calling, and a fleet of volunteers doing home checks--to approve the first 100 adoptions But it’s all worth it to ensure that the very best homes are found for dogs so deserving of a permanent, loving environment.

Thousands of dogs need homes!
The Virginia puppy mil rescue, and the work at Pets Alive to find forever homes for every rescued dog has been a great opportunity to remind people that adopting dogs from rescue groups and shelters, not buying puppies from pet stores is the best way to find a new family member. Anyone who does the math (1,000+ applications for 180+ dogs) can see that there are many more applicants than dogs from this particular rescue. At the same time, small and purebred dogs sit in shelters, waiting for a family to pick them, and some spend their last days there until they are euthanized for lack of space. Because puppy mills contribute to the pet overpopulation crisis, too many dogs spend their last days in animal shelters. Rescue groups are usually full to capacity, using foster homes to care for dogs they take in. In short, there are thousands of dogs just like these out there waiting for homes at local shelters across the country.

At Pets Alive, we’re doing our best to “connect the dots” by encouraging people to visit other shelters online to search for specific types of dogs if we can’t match them up with one of the dogs from the Virginia commercial breeder.

A Little Help From Friends
While lucky adult dogs are going home one at a time, we reached out to other rescue groups to help with several of the still-nursing mothers and one pregnant female. Seven crates were loaded into a Best Friends logo truck on Monday, and were then hand-delivered to two different rescue groups who offered their assistance. It will be several weeks before puppies from those litters are old enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted into new families. Thank goodness for Animal Haven in Flushing and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons! Pictured above: Dorothy goes to the Hamptons.

Come One, Come All!
Because the community has been so supportive of the recent rescue, we’ve decided to host an event to bring the community together and to meet many other adoptable animals. An adoption event is in the works for November 10th in Liberty, New York, and will include other rescue groups and shelters from the area. The remaining dogs from the puppy mill rescue will be there, in addition to adoptable animals from Pets Alive, plus many more from other organizations. More news to come...

How You Can Help

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network--the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference for animals in your community and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.
Puppy Mill Resources
What you can do to help make a difference.

Share this story:

Main photo: Lucy and Leslie

Adoption Event Policies and Procedures.doc

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:23:40 GMT

Wish List Oct. 31st

kellio — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:52:57 GMT

A wonderful way to show your support for these dogs

Thanks to everyone who has asked us what supplies we need to care for the new arrivals at the Pets Alive shelter. Here’s a wish list of items that would help us to get these deserving dogs ready for their new lives. We’ll update as the needs change.

Wish List
Laundry detergent
Electric heaters with thermostat
Food trays, paper (french fry size)
Bleach
Front loading industrial size washers/dryers
Small Kuranda beds
Paper towels (please!)
Microwave (2)
Copy machine
Pressure washer
Wet/dry shop vacs

Please mail packages to:
Pets Alive Sanctuary
Best Friends Wish List
363 Derby Road
Middletown, NY 10940
Phone: 845.386.9738

Prefer to make a financial contribution? We'll make sure your donation is used wisely. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

Group Participation Form.doc

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:44:58 GMT

Volunteers Make the Difference

scratchtopaz — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:35:46 GMT

A family affair helps the animals of Pets Alive – and then there were puppies!

by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends staff

The numbers of dogs that have come from a closed puppy breeding kennel in Virginia to the Pets Alive animal sanctuary in upstate New York are climbing! Of the 179 dogs initially rescued from the defunct facility, there are many pregnant females that are about to give birth or have already had their litters. The original rescue, involving the securing of the animals and the subsequent transport under the veil of nigh,t is just the beginning of this rescue journey.

The people that make this journey possible are the volunteers, and one such volunteer, Louise Paciotti, embodies what these caring, dedicated folks are made of. Louise has been volunteering with Pets Alive since April, when this faltering sanctuary needed help for their population of animals. She and her daughter, Chris, who is also a volunteer, live more than an hour and a half away. She has expressed that she has been there as often as possible, and if she lived closer, she would be there every waking moment! Louise was there from the beginning for these deserving dogs!

“It was amazing – I have never experienced anything like it in my life. It was absolutely extraordinary, seeing the truck roll up. It was awesome to see everybody working together. There was a lot of camaraderie and team work, including all the volunteers and Best Friends staff. It was very emotional and exciting,” reflects Louise about that monumental day, when these dogs tasted compassion and freedom for the first time.

Because the negotiation of the actual transfer of ownership of the dogs was very delicate and precarious in the beginning, the volunteers of Pets Alive had to be kept in the dark until the very last moments. “We found out that afternoon that we would be needed to help in the evening. We weren’t sure what we would be helping with. We didn’t expect to see over a hundred dogs – we were just told if people could be available it would be great.”

It’s been such a wonderful experience for Louise, she plans on continuing to volunteer for a long time. She’s also put her application in for a special Dachshund momma dog, Madeleine, she has fallen in love with! “For Matline it was so easy for her to warm up to me. When you go by her area, she puts her head up and wants to be petted. I’m surprised most of these dogs are so friendly. They really want attention and affection. When you walk into their room, they all start barking. Many want to go out for their walks!”

Madeleine and her pups

“Some of the dogs are walking on lead so easily, but some of them are unsure about being on the ground. There was one Pom that was great – loved to be held and cuddled. But she couldn’t be put down, she got very afraid,” Louise’s voice conveys the concern over what these dogs have been through clearly.

“We’re prepared to do what it takes to have Madeleine transition as easily as possible into our home,” she continues, letting me know that she doesn’t expect it all to be a cake walk. These are dogs that have not had normal experiences; they’ve had limited socialization and who knows what types of abuses, beyond neglect, that they have endured at the hands of their human “caregivers”!

Asked to sum up what it’s like to be volunteering at Pets Alive and now for the dogs freed from the puppy mill taking up residence there, this is what she had to say: “It’s been a wonderful experience. It makes you feel so good. You know you’re helping these animals. And fostering or adopting an animal in need is the greatest feeling. You know that you’re helping an animal feel normal and loved, you know that you’re making a difference!”

How You Can Help

Volunteer
Pets Alive will need volunteers as the months grow colder, and the hectic holiday season has many dedicated volunteers traveling. If you would like to volunteer, please get on the schedule for the next month and beyond. There are still many volunteers that show up on a daily basis, but it will start to peter out, and your help will be invaluable then! If you’re interested please call the main number at Pets Alive 845-386-9738 and ask for a Volunteer Coordinator!

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.
Puppy Mill Resources
What you can do to help make a difference.

images by Clay Myers

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“…And Your Little Dog, too!”

schnep — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:09:54 GMT

Some Thoughts on Adopting a Cairn Terrier

by Medha Isaacs, Best Friends Network

Who can forget the intrepid Toto, Dorothy’s feisty companion who bravely stood up to the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz? Toto was actually a female Cairn named Terry. She was an established trouper who had co-starred with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Shirley Temple in 6 films prior to her cameo appearance in the Wizard.

Almost 2 dozen Cairns were among the 175 dogs and puppies that Best Friends Animal Society recently rescued from a commercial breeder in Virginia. These dogs are getting ready for their new lives in homes where they’ll get to be the exuberant and clever companions they were meant to be.

Snuffles (pictured at top) was one of these dogs. She’s no more than a few years old and she’s already given birth to numerous puppies. Snuffles was headed for a life sentence of non-stop breeding in a crate she would live and die in. She came in to the shelter with a heavy chain collar and metal tag stamped No.106. Kelli Ohrtman, our Best Friends Puppy Mills Campaign Specialist wrote from Pets Alive, “Today I put a pretty blue collar with little snowflakes on Snuffles. I wrote her name--Snuffles on it. She deserves a pretty collar after wearing that chain!”

Snuffles is thrilled with her newly expanded life. She loves going for walks and finding out more about the world than she’s ever known, munching on leaves and cuddling into people’s shoulders just for the joy of snuggling. She’s also beginning to find out what it means to be a terrier and how much fun that can be!

Cairns are one of the oldest breeds of terriers originating in the Scottish Highlands They were named for the stone piles (called cairns) they burrowed under when hunting for the rats they were bred to control.

In addition to being a great defense against witches, these little charmers are extremely intelligent and exceptionally easy to train. Training isn’t an option for Cairns: it’s a necessity! Because they are a working breed, they need a job and a sense of purpose to be the best dogs they can be. A bored and untrained Cairn is at risk for digging to China through your backyard and barking your neighbors into a state of breakdown. Training not only makes them great film stars but also gives these terriers appropriate channels to express their loyalty, strength and fearlessness.

It’s frequently mentioned in the literature about Cairns that they make great family pets and are wonderful with children. This may be a somewhat antiquated description from the times when families lived on farms on the Scottish moors and these terriers were busy with "vermin" control and running the fields behind chore-occupied children.

If your family and your children like exercise and athletics, Cairns will be a good match for your active lifestyle. If you or your children would enjoy computer games more than taking your Cairn through agility training, you might want to reconsider your breed choice. It’s not that you can’t turn on the TV and kick back if you have a Cairn: just park your dog on the couch next to you and brush that wiry coat out while you watch! Cairns have double coats of hair and they need regular brushing to maintain their deceptively unkempt appearance. These dogs can weigh between 7 to 24 lbs. and come in shades of grey, sand, black or red. If they are white, they’re a West Highland Terrier, not a Cairn.

Cairns are for people who are looking for dogs that are as smart as they are – maybe even a little smarter! They are born with the impression that they are in charge of the world and will need to learn that you really mean what you say - every time you say it! If you are a potential Cairn companion there are a few other things to consider about these terriers:

These dogs have a highly developed sense of justice: they don’t respond well if they feel they are being over disciplined. Reward based positive reinforcement training is the key to their hearts.

Don’t ever imagine that you can trust your Cairn off leash – if they see something that requires chasing or investigation, no amount of calling, shouting or cajoling will get them back!

If small animals who love to run are already part of your family, it’s not wise to invite in a Cairn. These dogs have a high prey and chase drive that is hazardous to the health of your smaller pets.

Cairns are also escape artists, so fences need to be higher than what you might think is necessary for a dog their size. It may also be necessary to sink fencing below ground level and to secure your gates with intricate terrier proof locks.

If you are considering getting a Cairn, a great way to find one who would be a good match for you, your family and your lifestyle is by checking out a breed rescue. These groups take in dogs from people who can no longer care for them for reasons like a death in the family or a personal illness. Legitimate breed rescues strive to provide great animals and direct people away from puppy mills, pet shops, and irresponsible breeders like the one Snuffles was liberated from.

Because these rescues are small, they frequently foster their animals. As a result they have detailed information on the characteristics of the dogs like how they are in a home, what their activity level is and how they get along with other pets. They make sure the dogs are ready for adoption and can let you know their great traits as well as the areas they may need to improve in. By adopting from breed rescues, you also help these organizations save and care for other dogs in need through your paid adoption fee.

To search for an adoptable Cairn, please visit Petfinder.com.

To find out more about breed specific rescues please visit the Best Friends Network blog.

You can also learn more about breed rescues by going to the site of the New York Breed Rescue Alliance which is a sub-coalition of the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City Animals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

READ MORE about the puppy mill rescue.

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

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Volunteering Beats Punching a Time Clock

debbies — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 08:28:39 GMT

Cathy and Toni would rather play with dogs than work

Written by Amy Abern, Best Friends Staff

Several people are taking volunteerism to new heights at Pets Alive. Some volunteers have fallen so hard for the Virginia puppy mill dogs, they’re rearranging their lives to take part in theirs. Take, for instance, gal pals Toni O’Brien and Cathy Pahl. They played hooky from their day jobs and lost a day’s wages to spend time with the Pets Alive newest residents.

These two women have been volunteering at Pets Alive just about every weekend since the spring. And apparently, that’s not enough time.

“I work as a vet tech,” said Toni. “I’m around animals all day. What does it say that I’d spend a day off to be here?”

It says that there’s much fun to be had and a lot of unconditional love to be spread around by spending time with these wonderful animals.

Cathy and Toni were on site when the dogs first arrived almost two weeks ago in the middle of the night. As veteran volunteers, there’s nothing they haven’t seen. At least until that night.

“It’s hard to describe,” said Cathy. “The door of the truck opened, and there were all these faces looking at me. It was amazing --- so moving. And really overwhelming.”

Toni (Pictured left) felt the same sense of awe, but quickly filed the emotions away and went into action moving the animal crates out of the truck.

“It was completely surreal,” she said. “I knew that if I stopped for one second and looked into one face, I’d break down and cry.”

Two weeks later, they still fall victim to the “awe” and “awww” factor, every time they visit the dogs.

“Well, just look at this baby,” said Cathy, holding up puppy mill survivor, Cricket. “What could be better?”

Toni walks Hannah, all wiggles and ecstasy over any human that looks in her general direction. “I’m amazed at how much they like people,” says Toni. “And considering where they’ve come from, they have no reason to like people. It’s really something.”

Thanks to volunteers like Toni and Cathy, the puppy mill dogs now have EVERY reason to like people…

HOW YOU CAN HELP

READ MORE about this rescue.

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

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Photos by Amy Abern

HelpStopPuppyMills.pdf

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 08:02:06 GMT

Burly Carmine Enjoys Spending Time with Squirrelly Carmine

schnep — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:22:03 GMT

A retired police officer and his namesake poodle

Story and photos by Amy Abern, Best Friends Staff

Carmine Paglino, a frequent volunteer at Pets Alive, recently ordered himself to spend more time offering his services on campus.

The retired police officer found his new calling of socializing dogs after donating a couple of pet beds and a crate to the sanctuary. He became something of a fixture in the volunteer arena, averaging two days a week at Pets Alive. After the dogs rescued from the Virginia puppy mill arrived, he became a permanent fixture, period.

When the puppy mill dogs first arrived, he filled in wherever he could. Carmine quickly became known as the “go to” guy for lifting, cleaning, moving…anything. A few days after the dogs arrived, several volunteers were charged with the sober responsibility of naming all the dogs. One volunteer impressed with Carmine’s work ethic told him she would find a dog that matched his personality and demeanor and name him Carmine.

She picked a poodle.

“Of course, she picked the scrawniest runt you could find,” said Carmine.

Carmine and his namesake bonded. Whenever Carmine showed up for his volunteer efforts, he always made time to play with his skittish pal.

After a week, another volunteer approached Carmine and said, “Hey! You might want to rethink having this dog named after you --- he only has one testicle!”

Carmine thought about it and decided no, Carmine was Carmine, even if he wasn’t “all there.”

And then Carmine the dog had his other testicle removed.

“So what of it?” said Carmine. “He’s a great dog. That’s all I know.”

Carmine, serves as a knight in shining armor not just to Carmine the poodle but to all the puppy mill dogs.

“The greatest thing and the hardest thing for me is seeing them go,” says Carmine. “You don’t want to see it because you’ve grown so attached to them, but you know it’s the best thing for them, so it’s OK.”

And what happens when Carmine gets adopted?

“Oh, I don’t want to think about that,” he says.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

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Little Mouths, Big Problems

schnep — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:14:08 GMT

Commercial breeders are only concerned with the other end

Dottie’s tongue flops out the side of her mouth all the time, dry and twisted in a way that is obviously unnatural. Her teeth are all gone, leaving her mouth deformed forever. Too bad they don’t make doggie dentures so Dottie could keep her tongue back in her mouth. Despite her lack of chompers, Dottie eats well and is happy just to be held and petted. She doesn’t seem to care that she looks a little funny. Though she’s got the most obvious dental problems out of the dogs from a Virginia commercial breeder, she is definitely not alone.

Pictured left: Dottie. Dental problems abound with the dogs rescued from a Virginia commercial breeder, and they’re no different than hundreds of thousands of other little dogs that go without dental care. “In general, small breeds are prone to dental disease,” said Janet Pirog, Best Friends medical liaison. “They need their teeth brushed and dental cleaning by a veterinarian.” But that’s something that commercial breeders don’t do, and it shows in every little mouth.

A few cases, like Dottie, were obvious from the outside, but more problems lurked behind each little doggy lip. Patty, the only Pekingese in the bunch was the second dog that we discovered had a broken jaw. Janet said, “Her teeth were so horrendous, the decay ate away at and fractured her jaw.” Patty’s mouth was literally rotted to the breaking point. She was taken to a local veterinarian, Dr. Furman, for immediate treatment. Janet said, “Her teeth were so encrusted, Dr. Furman said he’s never seen teeth so bad.” He determined that although Patty’s jaw had been broken, it already healed on its own.

It turned out to be a very good thing for Patty to move up in line for the vet. In addition to a rotten mouth, she had an infected uterus, or pyometra—a serious emergency.

Bad teeth, bad hearts
Right: Mabel. Dirty, tartar-encrusted teeth make not only for a “stinky, painful and uncomfortable” mouth, as Janet described, but they can even affect a dog’s heart. She said, “They’re constantly swallowing bacteria, which gets into the blood stream and causes heart disease if left for too long.” A dog’s “death breath” and brown teeth are not only gross, but they can endanger his or her life as well.

Though some of the dogs have been suffering with infected and decaying mouths for years, they are now finally getting relief. As each dog is spayed or neutered, their mouths are checked and dental cleaning done as necessary. Many are returning with a lot fewer teeth then they go in with, but in the end, each dog will go home with pearly whites.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Network

Pictured left: Patty

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Best Friends Welcomes Some Tiny Additions

schnep — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:24:09 GMT

Meet a few of the rescued dogs, some little chihuahuas with great big hearts...

By Aubree Severin, Best Friends Volunteer

Best Friends has taken part in another puppy mill rescue! Over 175 dogs and puppies were rescued from a commercial breeder in Virginia and transported to Pets Alive in Middletown, New York. Included in the rescue were several chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are classified as "toy breeds" and are the smallest breed of dog in the world.

Chihuahuas can weigh up to 9 pounds or more. They can be smoothcoats or longcoats, both of which can be found at Pets Alive. Their coats can be a variety of shades, including brindle, blonde, black, brown, fawn, blue, and "splashed." Another distinctive physical feature of the chihuahua is their ears, which they use to express a variety of responses and emotions.

Chihuahuas are graceful, gentle and energetic. They are extremely loyal, getting attached to one or two persons. These tiny dogs also appear to be unaware of their diminutive stature, often barking at strangers and other dogs much larger than themselves. Chihuahuas need a great deal of human contact including touching, petting, and general attention. However, these dogs will generously return the love and affection. They do well with others of their own breed and this may help to alleviate their stress when you’re out.

Chihuahuas are a good breed for city-dwellers, as well for single people, the elderly, and the handicapped; however, they are not the ideal dog for a house with small children. Because chihuahuas are so tiny, they can easily be stepped on or handled too roughly by well-meaning kids.

Pets Alive has welcomed this Chihuahua mom and her pups, all of which need permanent, loving homes!

Squeaky is a white Chi female who has stolen everyone's hearts because she's so happy all the time. When you walk down the kennel aisle, she gets really happy and wiggly. She is a total cuddler. And she really does have a squeaky bark!

Meet Ashley she's one of the merle Chihuahuas here at Pets Alive. Little Ashley is very sweet and a little submissive. She is about 3 years old (we guess), a chocolate merle Chihuahua, weighs 6 pounds, and has obviously had litters of pups in her past.

Here's Cinnabun, a VERY sweet, female longcoat Chi.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you are interested in adopting a chihuahua or a chihuahua mix, please visit Petfinder.org, where you'll find hundreds of these dogs who need a second chance.

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

Share this story:

photos by Clay Myers

Bred to Death

schnep — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:21:40 GMT

Medical problems abound in commercial breeding dogs

Part One

Americans spent forty billion dollars this year on their pets. Anyone who opens their home to a pet knows all too well that the commitment also means opening your wallet—a lot. There are the vaccines, the routine dental care, spaying or neutering, occasional injury or bouts of illness, not to mention the food, toys and extra care such as grooming or training. Now think about that cost over the span of a dog’s life, and add up how much hard-earned cash goes into caring for a pet. We pay this because we love our pets, and it would be impossible to put a price on the love they give back.

But in the world of commercial dog breeding, the money flows the other way. Dogs are there to make money. We have seen the results of this reality firsthand with the dogs from a commercial breeder in Virginia. Riddled with congenital defects, arthritis, infection, tumors, and advanced age, the dogs were kept breeding anyway.

As we plow through exams and spay/neuter, we’re finding multiple medical problems in the dogs that are all too common in dogs from uncaring, large-scale breeders. The worst part is, many of the problems are passed on to pups who are sold to unsuspecting buyers in pet shops or via the Internet.

Patty Hegwood, director of animal care at Best Friends said, “None of their medical needs have been met unless not providing care would interfere with the breeding process.”

Lucky Westie
Earlier this week, Murray, a female West Highland White Terrier was sent to the vet when the staff became concerned that Murray showed signs of an infected uterus, or pyometra. Janet, Best Friends medical liaison explained, “That’s an emergency. If there’s leakage it can be really dangerous. Pus can leak out into the body cavity if the uterus is punctured.” Dr. Furman, the veterinarian who has been handling the bulk of the dogs’ medical needs, took radiographs of Murray’s abdomen, and decided to spay Murray on the spot. That’s when he noticed that Murray had a fresh incision on her abdomen.

Pictured right: Patty and Murray. Murray had had a c-section within the past few weeks. Then Dr. Furman went in to perform the spay to remove Murray’s infected uterus, and saw that whoever had surgically delivered her last litter only sutured her skin back together instead of closing the muscle layer as well. Poor Murray’s abdomen was literally held together with a few stitches. It was a miracle that her skin was able to hold all her insides where they belong for those weeks. Murray came out of surgery like a champ, and is now on heavy-duty antibiotics to ensure that she stays clear of further infection.

It is always unfortunate to have to help a mother dog give birth through a c-section, but as Patty explained, Murray is extra lucky to have been kept alive after her shoddy c-section. She said, “I can tell you, people who breed for profit hate having to do a c-section because that’s five to six hundred dollars that eats into their profit.”

Pyometra is extremely dangerous to female dogs, and can quickly kill them if not treated properly. “Out of the twenty-one dogs we’ve had in for spay/neuter, we’ve found three pyometras,” Janet said. It’s a good thing we got to the dogs when we did.

An easy preventative for pyometra? Spay your female dog.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

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By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Network

The Skinny on Puppy Mills

schnep — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 06:01:27 GMT

One shut down ---- still so much work to be done

By Amy Abern, Best Friends Staff

When Best Friends and local animal groups rescued the 179 dogs from a rural Virginia puppy mill, animal welfare scored a victory against commercial breeders. And we’re hoping there will be many more victories to come in the battle against commercial breeding practices. Consider these statistics:

• Commercial breeding is a multi-million dollar industry, with more than 6,000 commercially licensed kennels breeding more than 500,000 dogs per year.

• There are untold numbers of unlicensed kennels breeding thousands of dogs each year.

• More than 20 percent of all shelter animals are purebred dogs.

• Many of the commercially bred female puppies are kept as “breeding machines,” forced into pregnancy every time they’re in heat.

• Commercially bred dogs are more susceptible to deadly diseases like parvo and distemper.

• Commercially bred dogs are more likely to develop genetic eye and heart defects from over-breeding practices.

But if they’re licensed puppy mills, surely they must be reputable, right? Not necessarily. Most puppy mills dogs live in cramped, dirty cages on bare bones diets.

The puppies are taken from their mother long before they’re ready for independence. They receive no socialization and become anxious, depressed and hostile. That’s why so many people who buy puppies in pet stores return them or dump them in shelters.

The females are often kept in solitary confinement and bred over and over until they die of physical exhaustion.

So how are such places awarded licenses? Sadly, it’s not that difficult. A USDA commercial breeding license isn’t hard to come by and sets minimum requirements for care; little more than food, water and shelter. Also, it’s easy for licensed breeders to fly under the radar because there’s a good chance they’ll never be held legally accountable for their practices.

According to the Animal Welfare Act, each commercial breeding facility is required to undergo a USDA inspection once a year. This is unlikely considering there are there are less than 100 inspectors across the country to inspect more than 1,000 research facilities, 2,800 exhibitors and 4,500 dealers. Do the math.

For now, we celebrate our victory in knowing that as of last week, one puppy mill is out of business. And how are the Virginia puppy mill dogs doing? Some still require medical attention, but most are resting (and playing!) comfortably in the sanctuary of Pets Alive in New York. They’re enjoying comfortable surroundings, healthy diets and great amounts of human attention; some for the very first time.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

Share this story:

photo by Clay Myers

What’s Under All That Hair?

schnep — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:25:50 GMT

Rescued dogs get makeovers

By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Staff

Because we are primarily bald, humans can probably never really understand what it’s like to have matted, chunky hair pulling at our skin. Thankfully, most of the dogs we brought north from a commercial breeder in Virginia are short haired, or have the type of hair that doesn’t get matted easily. But some weren’t so lucky.

Right: Rags before. Rags, a black miniature poodle, had hair matted like a big, thick Brillo pad on her back—so badly that the clump was pulling at her skin. She smelled like a porta-potty. That’s no way to start a new life as a pet instead of a breeding dog in a cage. Thank goodness Pets Alive has a groomer on staff!

Chea, who also takes care of the large animals at Pets Alive, got to work on Rags to help her feel as beautiful and special as we see her. The Brillo pad came off in one big clump, and when Chea was done, Rags looked like a poodle again. She’s still shy, but with the extra attention she’s getting, we hope she’ll soon feel as good as she looks.

Oreo’s haircut. Another little one on the emergency grooming list was Oreo, a Shih Tzu whose tongue hangs out all the time. His white coat was stained yellow, and his belly was matted with cotton ball-sized clumps. When Chea got done with him, his tongue still hung out like a little Pez dispenser, but now his coat gleams white, and his body is covered with a short, velvety coat.

Since his bath and haircut, Oreo is like a different dog. Now when someone comes up to his run, he starts to quiver with excitement and his little pink tongue gets going. He lives to lick fingers!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE
Now that these dogs and puppies are in our care, we want to give them the best life we can. They deserve nothing less. Your donations are deeply appreciated.

NOT A NETWORK MEMBER?
Join the Best Friends Network - the largest grassroots online community for pet lovers -- IT'S FREE. We'll keep you updated on this campaign and let you know how you can make a difference to animals in your neighborhood and around the world. Plus, you can connect with other people who care about animals. CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NETWORK.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUPPY MILLS
Puppy Mill Frequently Asked Questions
Common statistics and general information about puppy mills.

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