Puppy Mill - Loading up the Dogs
31 Basset Hounds get a new leash on life thanks to an amazing effort by rescue groups!
On Tuesday, December 27, 2011 a LHS volunteer along with a couple of other volunteers from the DFW area met up with a dozen other Texas rescue groups to take part in the rescuing of 31 basset hounds from a puppy mill in South Texas.
Facing failing health and foreclosure an elderly couple who had been breeding basset hounds for years surrendered what was left of their breeding stock to rescue groups. They had already sold more than a dozen to other breeders. Over the years this puppy mill was said to have sold over 5000 basset hounds.
Volunteers unloaded and started processing the bassets. They were evaluated and seen by a vet where they were given vaccines. LHS took in two of these puppy mill bassets, Heidi and Sissy.
Heidi, who will be celebrating her 2nd birthday on January 7th is a sweet tri color. She is skittish but is gaining trust in her foster family. Her foster mom says, “She is slowly coming around. The first two days she wanted nothing to do with us and would dart out the dog door if we made eye contact. We are giving her the space she needs while at the same time trying to gain her trust. We are confident she will learn to trust and be a wonderful companion in time.”
Pregnant 9 year old Basset
Sissy, will be 9 years old on June 1st and is expecting her very last litter the first week of February. Who breeds an 8 year old dog? People who have no concern what so ever for the health and well-being of that dog, that’s who. At almost 9 years old all a dog should be concerned about is where their next belly rub comes from not taking care of puppies.
Sissy’s foster mom reports, “Sissy is terrified of men. She is starting to warm up to her foster dad a little but doesn’t want anything to do with the other men in the house. Overall, she is in good health. She does have a recessed right eye which the vet explained was a birth defect. It’s doesn’t bother her though. As soon as she weans this litter of puppies she will be spayed and be ready for her forever home.”
Our volunteer who took place in this rescue said, “What I saw was an amazing effort by a group of rescuers. There were groups who stepped up from as far away as Iowa, NY, and NM. Some of the bassets were skinny, some had cherry eyes (which is hereditary), some were seniors and most had no socialization skills or never been on a leash, one even had glaucoma. I am thrilled that this operation is shut down and these bassets are on the road to a better life. When people buy from pet stores, off the internet or out of newspapers, this is what you are supporting. These hounds were kept in outdoor runs and had no chance of being a regular dog, until now. I hope that we can get more puppy mills shut down and educate people about where their internet or pet store puppy comes from. Tuesday was a lucky day for these 31 hounds.”
This could be the mother of your online puppy that you bought.
To see news coverage of the rescue of these bassets check out the links below.
31-Basset-Hounds-rescued-from-elderly-dog-breeders
More-than-30-Basset-hounds-rescued
Over-2-dozen-Basset-Hounds-rescued-from-south-Texas-breeder
To learn more about puppy mills and what you can do to help shut these down visit:
Puppy Mills Breed Misery on Many Levels
Let your voices be heard for all the Heidis’ and Sissys’ out there!