Saved from Misery in Missouri

December 14, 2007 : 12:17 PM

They've been rescued--now all they need are forever homes!

On October 25th, rescuers from a Colorado group called Mill Dog Rescue Network (MDRN) set out to Missouri, the lion’s den of puppy mill breeders. In tow were FOX news reporters there to take part in an undercover exposé on puppy mills. The trip was a success by all accounts, volunteers returning with more than eighty dogs who were no longer useful to their breeders. Click here to watch the footage.

The group had planned on bringing dogs back from the trip, but had no idea they’d be bringing back so many unwanted, castoff breeder dogs. In addition to the “retired” breeder dogs they had pre-arranged to pick up (given up by their owners, worthless because they could no longer have puppies) the group attended a dog auction—one of the hundreds held every year in Missouri. There, they took dogs that no one was bidding on, getting them for as little as twenty five cents.

So it was with a van full of Shih Tzus, Yorkies, Pomeranians, Schnauzers and other little purebred dogs that Theresa Strader, MDRN’s director brought back to Colorado. Two months, a lot of elbow grease, vet appointments and adoption applications later, sixty of those dogs are now in loving, permanent homes. But not all…

These dogs and more like them are still looking for homes!

CLICK HERE to see all the Missouri puppy mill dogs still hoping for a home.

More Information
To learn more about Mill Dog Rescue Network, including how you can get involved, visit their website: www.milldogrescue.org. MDRN is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Interested in adopting? E-mail: Helen@milldogrescue.org

Meet MDRN and their dogs in person at noon on Saturday, December 15th in Manitou, Colorado at the Snowflakes and Smiles parade.

Comments

December 19, 2007 at 11:10 PM
posted by: ruthy92

The puppy mill lobby and affiliated interets in Missouri brag about legislators that are "in their pockets."

They also brag that they can silence humane advocates, and "chase them" out of Missouri so they can keep doing whatever they want to dogs.

There is a reason that Missouri is the Puppy Mill State.

(Remember also that AKC has a business relationship with Hunte Corporation, the notorious Missouri puppy mill broker.)

December 18, 2007 at 5:25 PM
posted by: mariahspromise

Amen, kellio!! There are 3,000 registered breeders in Missouri that profit at the expense of the dogs, then throw them away when they are no longer useful. To take the victims from these horrid hands and put them in a loving home for the rest of their lives is a blessing and very rewarding to all!!! We spent SEVEN LONG YEARS in the Branson, MO area rescuing dogs/cats and saw too much abuse and apathy towards animals, that I cannot help but applaud Mill Dog Rescue Network for their efforts! A life is a life. We have taken dogs from horrible places, scared, starved (for food & attention!) and watched them blossom and bloom into some of the most delightful companions - it's a JOY to see the transition. Laws need to change, accountability needs to be put in place and education is key ... but in the balance is a life that needs changing too. Keep it up Theresa/MDRN!!

December 18, 2007 at 1:16 PM
posted by: kellio

Hear hear rmlamasney25! "We can both work to change the laws, AND give a chance at a good life with loving decent people." I'd like to add a third aspect in addition to changing laws and the lives of individual breeder dogs--education.

Every dog that makes it out of a puppy mill is evidence of the neglect that happens there. Every dog whose story is told becomes a spokesdog to spread the word about puppy mills.

December 16, 2007 at 1:20 PM
posted by: rmlamasney25

Ratmom, with all due respect, I can't agree with the argument that helping the "used up" mill dogs harms the cause. Those dogs would just be conveniently disposed of by the millers anyway, regardless of whether of not a rescue group takes them! They are going to get fresher dogs when the time comes regardless. Taking the unwanted dogs in saves them from a terrifying painful death by drowning or having their skulls crushed by a rock. We can both work to change the laws, AND give a chance at a good life with loving decent people. I just don't see that one precludes the other.

December 15, 2007 at 11:04 AM
posted by: ratmom

But what are you doing to change the laws that don't make puppy mills illegal? You're just opening up more space for fresher, younger dogs to get bred to death. Help change the laws and I'll support your cause.