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February 8, 2010

Dogs Rescued from Mississippi Puppy Mill Arrive at the ASPCA

On February 7, while folks around the country celebrated Super Bowl Sunday, the ASPCA Adoption Center was in festive spirit, as well. ASPCA experts gathered to welcome 34 dogs rescued from a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS. The dogs, which include small breeds such as Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Corgis and Chihuahuas, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens and filth. The ASPCA worked with Pet Airways to bring the rescued pooches to the Big Apple.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of Pet Airways, which offered to fly these dogs at cost, as well as local and out-of-state animal welfare agencies that assisted in this effort,” said Matt Bershadker, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group.

Last week, under the authority and request of Shirley C. Byers of the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office in Marshall County, MS, the ASPCA dispatched members of our Field Investigations and Response Team to manage operations in the investigation of a local puppy mill. More than 95 dogs were seized and signed over to the ASPCA. Many were underweight with skin problems, among other medical conditions.

Participating agencies on the scene included American Humane Association, Marshall County Humane Society, Mississippi State University and Collierville Humane Society. In addition, many veterinarians and volunteers assisted in the on-site medical treatment of the animals.

“We are glad to have been able to be part of another major, collaborative effort to rescue these dogs from such deplorable conditions,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Adoptions Center. “Once we have medically and behaviorally evaluated these dogs, we look forward to finding them forever homes.”

For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, visit www.aspca.org.

thank you!

The ASPCA is extremely grateful to the shelters and organizations that have aided in the housing and future placement of these animals. We are honored to recognize their generosity. They include:

  • Atlanta Humane Society
  • Marshall County Humane Society
  • Olive Branch Animal Shelter
  • MS State University Homeward Bound program
team member with pooches in crates

pooches in crates

pooches on board Pet Airways

Post your comments

Your comments are welcome here, but please remember to practice proper comment etiquette. Comments that include inappropriate or personal information will be deleted.

  • Submitted by Joy Mitroo at:June 15, 2010 12:00 AM

    i cannot believe how bad some people can be when they handle animals so harshly and cruel i mean what the ^$&% would they do this to tese poor animals hitting,putting in cages, and beating them up this is just so darn sad that they would do such horrible things to these poor innocent animals :( they should rot in hell if they dont have any respect for animals or nature thats my opinion cause i myself am a lover of animals and i would never do anything to hurt them or do anything ever in my life cause i love all animals and anything doing with nature

  • Submitted by Dee Thompson at:February 15, 2010 12:00 AM

    I can't believe some the stories that I have read on your sight. Not that they happened but that some )^#$& had the gall to do these things to these babies. What I want to know is (and almost afraid to ask) what happened to the 62 doggies that didn't make it to New York? The other thing is, what happened to the yoyo that ran the puppy mill? Is there any kind of proscution pending, did anybody go to jail (for there own protection). Or as Paul Harvey would say "Now for the rest of the story". Do tell, ppllleeeaaasssee!

  • Submitted by R. Davis at:February 13, 2010 12:00 AM

    I am so happy these animals were taken away from their sordid owners. I wish however that when these stories come out that the ASPCA mentioned what fines and charges are brought against these greedy unforgiven owners.

  • Submitted by leesagee at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    14 years ago I ended up having loads of large dogs. This started from word of mouth. I trained them, got them back in health, and found them good homes. I never made a monetary reward, but I got a wonderful reward from seeing the joy in people's eyes, knowing they were getting a happy, healthy pet. I love hearing the stories of the rescue people closing down puppy mills and taking care of these little ones. I have a baby chihuahua now, and she's a twin to one of the babies ya'll saved. She's black with tan and white markings. She's so spoiled, she let you know within 5 minutes that she's MISS Alice, not just Alice, thank you very much. Anyway, people like me everywhere that had worked with animals like this really hurt when they can't do it anymore, so I usually try to make a contribution when I can, so it'll help out the many good hearted people to go on doing work that most people wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. Dirt will wash off, but the glow of knowing you've saved lives stays with you forever. God bless you all.

  • Submitted by frances from Texas at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    i wish i could take them all home with me. it makes me furious. i am animal poor, was a dumping ground for unwanted pets for yrs. now only 5 animals but they are very rotten spoiled -that is the way they are supposed to be. congrats and God Love and constant Protection to all who rescued.

  • Submitted by Stephanie Chavez- Dallas, Texas at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    Bravo, ASPCA! You are truly the guardian angels for the animals of America. I am proud to be a donator for this wonderful organization! I believe I speak for all animal lovers when I say "Job Well Done"

  • Submitted by Angela Jones at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    Bless you all !!!. I to am an animal lover and it breaks my heart that so many more of these places exist. Keep up the good work.When will these puppies be ready for adoption I would love to give one a loving home. Thank you again.

  • Submitted by Icey Mytle at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    How horrable! How can anyone look at these little dogs and just leave them in that filth! I have 3 little dogs and they all sleep with us! No onesleeps alone!

  • Submitted by Andrea at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    Its peoples greed for pure breeds that keeps this going only adopt pound dogs

  • Submitted by Theresa Miller at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    People like this must have some major mental issues. How would they like it if we locked they up and didn't feed them for weeks. Add some tourture to that and having to live in their own crap for awhile. We'll see how they end up. People like them make me sick. I wish North Dakota had some better laws.

  • Submitted by Betty Martinson at:February 12, 2010 12:00 AM

    Its nice to have groups like this who care and take the time to rescue animals in situtations like this.

  • Submitted by Khambay at:February 11, 2010 12:00 AM

    I am so very sad to hear such horrible treatment of these lovable animals. I don't know what kind of people could hurt such an innocent animal. I'm just so glad that there're people like the ASPCA to look out and care for these animals. I just hope that California would have an animal police so that I can report all the animal cuelties that I've seen over the years. My heart just breaks for these animals. All they want is to be love and they will give you their lives. Bless you all for helping thses helpless animals.

  • Submitted by patty bryan at:February 9, 2010 12:00 AM

    we all love animals or we would not be on this web page. I can watch animal channel and cry like a baby over animal cruelty. if everyone would give what they can, one dollar think of what this would mean to the animal agencies out there. I too would take every animal on the planet in. Look how generous the american people were to the victims of haiti. What about the little furry victims of our country? ASPCA hats off to every one of you for the work you do. People donate whatever you can.

  • Submitted by Susan Minuto at:February 8, 2010 12:00 AM

    Thank you to the ASPCAfor your immediate response to this horrific situation as well as the many other volunteers and organizations who came to this poor animals' rescue. It is gratifying to know that there are people who help animals who can't help themselves. I also volunteer at our local pet shelter and appreciate to the maximum what you have done. I hope all these animals find loving homes.

  • Submitted by darnellhinton at:February 8, 2010 12:00 AM

    Thank you soooo very much for aeing an advocate for our four legged friends. keep up your good work. Bless all of you.

  • Submitted by Florence Copeland at:February 8, 2010 12:00 AM

    I am VERY interested in adopting one of the dachsunds that was rescued. I only saw 2 - a long hair black & white one and a black with red markings. Please tell me how.I left my cell # on Marshall County Humane Society's phone.

  • Submitted by sonya- tennessee at:February 8, 2010 12:00 AM

    As an animal lover, i am horrified to hear of situations like these. If it were up to people like us, we would have every animal in the world safe, and taken care of! I have 6 dogs, and 3 cats,7 goats and a pot- bellied pig. An arfican grey parrot too, if i could id take all the unwanted aminals there were out there.

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