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.
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Below is a recap of the rescue.March, 2007A 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, 2007The breeder applies for a permit to rebuild, which was granted, but with requirements for more humane conditions.
OctoberBreeder 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!
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