Puppy mill rescues arrive in Baltimore
As if they’d never seen a bed before, two fluffy puppies rolled about together on one Thursday afternoon a Baltimore shelter.
And they hadn’t. They also didn’t know about having enough to eat, baths or playing with toys.
The Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals stepped in Wednesday night to save 18 of more than 200 pups rescued this week from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. The shelter is working to prepare the dogs, many of them boutique breeds, for adoption as soon as possible.
The dogs of all sizes, colors and breeds relaxed Thursday, most likely for the first time, in comfortable pens, with fresh water and food. Though they’d never seen them before, two young poodle mixes quickly took to toys, chomping with gusto on squeaky ones and and licking others filled with peanut butter.
One tiny black poodle danced on two legs around his new cage, twirling for onlookers and wagging his tail nonstop.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and The Humane Society of the United States raided the Almost Heaven kennels ne
ar Allentown on Tuesday, finding dogs in what they called “horrific” conditions, housed in wire crates and suffering from various infections.
The dogs now in Baltimore range from just a few months to about four years old. There are cream-colored Labradoodles, Poodle mixes with sweetly spotted coats and even a handsome Great Dane.
Most of the dogs are fairly healthy, shelther officials said, though a number of them are thin and showing signs of stress.
The shelter plans to bathe the dogs Friday and then spay and neuter them and give them full health examinations. The healthier ones could be ready for adoption in a few days.
Nichol Miller takes one of the puppies that was rescued from an Allentown, Pa., puppy mill for a walk outside of the SPCA in Hampden. Pictured below, the Great Dane, is about 40 pounds underweight. Many of the puppies that came from the mill were acclimating quickly to the rescue facility since arriving last Wednesday night. The MDSPCA has 18 of the over 200 puppies just rescued from an Allentown, PA puppy mill. The SPCA in Hampden is rehabilitating the puppies and preparing them for adoption. Tasha Treadwell/Sun Photographer.
Comments
oh NOES. I did not need to see this.
Posted by: Baltimoregal | June 25, 2009 4:15 PM
It's just unbelievable that people would mistreat dogs for pure profit. I'm so thrilled they are in a safe place, with caring people who will find them the homes they deserve.
Posted by: Alexandra Bowens | June 25, 2009 5:00 PM
What can we do to help? With our students needing volunteer hours, how can we help. I would welcome suggestions or contact information. I know these agencies are going to need extra hands/supplies pulled together and fast. With economy and people turning their pets in because they can no longer take care of them, and now these poor little pets, the need is even greater - Can you post some ways we as a community can help our agencies in Baltimore? Thank you, Velma
Posted by: Velma | June 26, 2009 10:00 AM
The Maryland SPCA depends on donations to help save these and other animals. Make a donation at http://www.mdspca.org/waystohelp/donate.html. Be sure to thank the staff for all they do!
Posted by: Julie Young | June 26, 2009 4:13 PM
So sad to see people living from the profits made from dog dealing, these people are no better than drug dealers or rapists.
Well done with the Great Dane, i help the Great Dane Rescue here in the UK http://www.greatdanerescue.co.uk
Posted by: Sully | June 29, 2009 3:28 PM
Shut them down, shut them down, shut them down, SHUT...THEM...DOWN!!!! NOW, AND FOREVER!!! What about all the poor dogs that got left behind? And a Great Dane, 40 pounds UNDERWEIGHT??? That's COMPLETELY INEXCUSEABLE!!! MAKES ME SICK!!
Posted by: Lisa Dee | July 12, 2009 6:42 AM