Puppy mill dogs are settling in to temporary digs, getting medical care in Los Angeles
What a difference a week makes. At this time last week, forty little dogs were sitting in their cages in Lancaster County, CA with a bleak future at best. Their puppies were taken from them and transported to boutique pet stores in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, bringing as much as $4,000 to the pet store owner. After their last-minute rescue by Last Chance for Animals and Best Friends, the dogs are now in a much better place.
How does one find a safe place for nearly forty dogs to go—with only few hours’ notice? In this case, Jennifer Krause, Best Friends Campaign Specialist called up her friends at
Blue Dog Ranch in Burbank.
“This was definitely a surprise to them,” Jennifer said. “I’ve been working with David Roe, Blue dog’s owner, for years. When I called him, he basically said, ‘no problem’ and made it happen.” A separate quarantine area was set up to keep the puppy mill dogs and the other dogs at Blue Dog safe, and to prevent possible diseases from spreading. Jennifer said, “Blue Dog has been bending over backwards—they’ve been amazing because these little guys require constant cleaning up after and feeding and making sure they’re all okay.”
Let’s Get FixedThe next priority is making sure all the dogs are spayed and neutered. Another big task when you’re talking about nearly forty dogs. But again, it’s all about knowing who to call. Best Friends called Mary Martin of
Clinico, an organization that provides low-cost spay/neuter to cats and dogs in the Los Angeles area. Martin said “It’s an honor to help with this project; we’re thrilled to help Best Friends with these dogs from such a dire situation out in Lancaster County.” But there was just one hitch—Clinico doesn’t have a clinic at the moment. Theirs is being remodeled.
But,
Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) was more than happy to offer their vet clinic in Downey, CA. In fact, SEAACA is donating quite a lot in services to these needy dogs. In addition to the veterinarian provided by Clinico, SEAACA has arranged for:
-Free spay or neuter for all thirty-six dogs
-The skills of three vets, two vet techs, two animal care technicians
-Free transport from Blue Dog to the clinic, and back again
-Vaccines, bloodwork and exams for every dog
And they’re doing it all after hours so none of their regularly scheduled surgeries are pushed aside. It’s estimated that the exams, surgeries and recovery time will be six to eight hours, plus transport time. Dan Morrison, Executive Director of SEAACA said, “When Mary called and asked if we could help, it was a simple decision. This is the work we’re charged with; assisting Best Friends or any other organization is what we do.” SEAACA and Clinico have stepped in to make the spay/neuter process as easy as possible. And who better to take care of the task ahead than a team who spays and neuters as many as 5,000 animals a year?
Back at the Ranch…Jennifer reports that the dogs are doing very well, though they still show many signs of where they came from. She said, “Considering everything they’ve been through, these guys are very sweet with people. This is just such an entirely different environment than they’ve ever experienced, but I think they get it—I think they know we’re here to help.”
One Shih Tzu, so far identified only as #4, is becoming a fast favorite. Jennifer said, “She’s one of the sweetest dogs ever. She’s completely blind, has terrible dental disease, arthritis, bad skin, an umbilical hernia and ear infections in both ears.” Despite how uncomfortable she must feel, the little tan and white dog only wants to curl up on any available lap.
Number seven, also a Shih Tzu, “Breaks my heart,” Jennifer said. “She’s the least socialized in the group-she’s just been standing in the corner with her back to us. She seems very depressed, and she’s got blocked tear ducts like many of the dogs here do, which makes her look like she’s crying. But each time I come back to visit her, she seems a little less scared.” With time, hopefully all the dogs will learn that people can be good—not always bad.
One little Chihuahua has no problem understanding that! “She has a terrible underbite (which is actually very cute) and awful teeth, and all she wants is to lick your face. She’s all about love.”
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.
Visit our Partners on the web:-Blue Dog Ranch:
www.bluedogboarding.com-Clinico:
http://www.clinico.org-SEAACA:
www.seaaca.orgBy Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Animal Society