Kasey’s Cure

179 dogs rescued from puppy mill in Virginia

There were pugs and pomeranians, westies, scotties, beagles, chihuahuas, poodles, shih tzus, cocker spaniels, and dachshunds…to name a few. Some were pregnant females who had clearly been cruelly over-bred for years and years.

In all, there were 179 dogs and puppies who had never been allowed to play on the grass or be held. These were the animals that Best Friends and local animal groups in Virginia rescued from a dilapidated puppy mill late in the night of Friday, October 12, and into dawn the next day.

The puppy mill in question was operating under medieval conditions—kerosene lamps, no electricity, small confinement cages, and no running water. In March of this year, it caught fire and, tragically, nearly 200 dogs and puppies lost their lives.

The puppy mill owner wanted to rebuild, but Best Friends joined other rescue organizations and lobbied local officials for higher standards on puppy mill facilities. As a result, officials rejected the breeder’s bid to rebuild and stay in operation—and at least this one puppy mill was forced out of business.

By Sunday, all the dogs rescued from the puppy mill—and the three litters of puppies born during rescue operations—had been taken from Virginia to the Pets Alive facility in New York.

Best Friends staff veterinarians and behaviorists will be managing medical issues as well as advising an ongoing assessment of the impact of puppy mill confinement on the dogs’ physical and mental health. During that time, Best Friends will be coordinating with breed rescue organizations across the nation to find forever homes for all the Virginia rescue dogs. A few of the dogs- in particular older dogs whose health has been too compromised by years of forced breeding- will return to the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah for long-term medical care and a new life.

If you are interested in adopting one of these dogs rescued by Best Friends, please visit their website and follow the adoption links — www.bestfriends.org