Local Puppy Mill Bust Updates

October 17, 2008

All of the puppy mill dogs that were up for adoption through the shelter have been placed with their new families. The matches were based on the personality and needs of the dog in order to find the home that most suited them. Taking on the matching and placement of an additional 65 dogs was a huge undertaking for us and we apologize that it took longer than expected.

Thank you to everyone who submitted an application to adopt a puppy mill dog. We sincerely appreciate everyone's patience.

October 4, 2008

We have put together a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation of the puppy mill rescue. You can choose to view it in one of three formats:

1) HTML Version (may require Microsoft Internet Explorer to view correctly)
1) PDF (2 MB download) (requires Adobe Reader)
3) Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation (7.5 MB download) (free PowerPoint Viewer)

September 9, 2008

We have begun reviewing the hundreds of applications for adoption for the 61 dogs from the puppy mill. Three of the dogs were placed over the weekend after their spay/neuter surgeries. The rest are awaiting their spay/neuter appointments as all will be altered prior to going home to their new families. It will take us a little time to get through these applications and select the most appropriate home for each dog, but we feel it is well worth the time. We expect that some of the dogs will be difficult to housebreak, may have some behavioral problems to resolve, require a great deal of socialization and even have some health problems down the road. Therefore, the selection of the family best suited to handle any or all of these challenges is paramount. We know that many people will be disappointed, as in some cases we have as many as 15 applications for a single dog, but we believe it is extremely important that we chose the home that can give these animals the time, patience, care and, in some cases, the quiet environment they absolutely need.

We’ve already heard about some of the dogs that left our area to be placed by rescues and shelters elsewhere. Two of the dogs that went to St. Louis with the Humane Society of Missouri team that helped rescue them were adopted by two of the “Missouri Boys” as we like to call them. They may have looked like big tough guys, but they were big softies and obviously fell for a few of the dogs they helped save from the mill.

One dog has been adopted already by a volunteer from Northern PA that spent all week helping care for them in the emergency shelter. Lee and his wife Donna, adopted an adult female who they appropriately named “Freedom” (Freely for short). She was very timid and will take considerable time to socialize, but Lee and Donna don’t have any small children and they have lots of time to give to her rehabilitation.

One of the pregnant dogs has since given birth and the puppies are doing fine. Another of the dogs that had young puppies, was found to have a tumor in her belly and required surgery.

We’re also happy to report that the dog that was thought to be paralyzed, is responding to medication and now has limited use of both back legs. The vets believe that with continued care and treatment he may have complete use of both legs. We named him Mr. Happy and he is currently in a foster home locally.

Another one of the dogs that has some serious health problems will be getting surgery next week. Weezie, as we’ve named her, is a Pekinese with an elongated soft palate that is causing breathing problems that can lead to very high temperatures and need for oxygen. She must be kept very quiet. She is still at the vet for observation and quiet, but will be going to Columbus next week for further evaluation and hopefully surgery. The generosity of donors is helping us cover her vet costs and this surgery.

Finally, thank you to everyone that helped with this effort and that is still helping. The generosity of not only people in our local community but around the country has been extraordinary! To everyone that gave a dollar, brought us newspapers and towels, made donations of food and supplies, brought lunch to the workers at the emergency shelter, shook the hands of the out of town helpers, sent emails about us to friends, gave chiropractic treatment to the tired and sore volunteers, loaned us fans, did fundraisers or collected money where you work, or just wished us well, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

We know that we can never thank you enough but we hope that each of you feel what we know....we did right by these animals and their lives are changed for the better because of the efforts of all that cared enough to help.

August 28, 2008

Puppy Mill Dog Adoptions

• All interested families must complete an adoption application.
• Adoption fee is $100 and will include:
  Spay or Neuter
  Heartworm Test
  Microchip
  Rabies Vaccination
  General Health Exam
  HSOP Adoption Fee
• Remaining dogs will be housed at the Floodwall Building adjacent to the Humane Society of Parkersburg and will be available for viewing for those wishing to adopt and the general public:
  Saturday, August 30 – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  Monday, September 1 – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  Tuesday, September 2 – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  Wednesday, September 3 – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  Thursday, September 4 – 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
  Friday, September 5 – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
• Those who have already submitted applications can then select which dogs they would like to be considered for. This will be noted on your application for processing.
• The general public may also submit applications for a particular dog as they are viewing the dogs.
• Note that we can only allow 20 people in at a time for the safety and well being of the dogs so we ask for your patience. Entrance is first come, first serve.
• Adoption priority will be given to local residents.

August 26, 2008

As you might guess, we are extremely busy working in our emergency shelter caring for and planning the future of the puppy mill dogs. The outpouring of support and help has been overwhelmingly positive and everyone has been so wonderful. Thank you to everyone who reached out to us in every way imaginable. What a community we have!

We know that some people have been frustrated that their calls to us are not being returned or that they are not being called to volunteer, please understand that we've just had so many offers for help, we cannot keep up with them. We also realize that some people are a little frustrated with our procedures for volunteering but these are necessary. I hope everyone understands that we're just trying to do our best considering the circumstances.

We've had so many calls about when dogs are going to be available locally. Our focus over the next few days is to move a large number of the dogs to different rescue groups around the region that are better able to socially rehabilitate and place such significant numbers as we are dealing with. None of these dogs are being sold and all organizations involved have agreed to follow our policy to have each dog spayed or neutered prior to going home. We are only working with rescues and shelters that have the capacity, knowledge and resources to work with them and find them the loving homes they deserve.

The dogs that will be available locally are those that are ready to go into new homes right now. Because the community has been so supportive and compassionate, and many of the dogs need to be placed in a rehabilitative setting, there will not be enough ready-to-place dogs to meet the demand. We will begin reviewing the adoption applications we received for the dogs that will remain here beginning on Saturday. We also encourage you to apply to the organizations who will be receiving the dogs. Those organizations are:

We strongly suggest however, that anyone interested in adopting a puppy mill dog should read up on some of the challenges you might expect with such dogs. Please also note that we are finding some genetic congenital disorders which will create even more challenges. Before adoption we strongly encourage you educate yourself about these challenges. We highly recommend reading Rehabilitation of a Puppy Mill Dog.

The public support has been amazing and while I know some people have been frustrated by some of the guidelines we have had to put in place regarding seeing the dogs and the application process, but we hope that all understand how busy we are and that our focus right now is doing the best for the dogs. Thank you again for your support and keep watching this site for updates.

August 24, 2008

Please read the press release below for details on this event.

If you would like to assist the HSOP at this time of great need, we are accepting monetary donations to help cover the costs of this effort. We are also in need of clean towels and rolled newspapers. All donations should be taken directly to the main Shelter at 29th and Poplar.

People interested in volunteering for the effort should call the Shelter first at 304-422-5541 and leave a message on the Volunteer line. We appreciate all volunteers, but in order for things to work smoothly we must schedule volunteers for needed jobs. So PLEASE call first and leave a message of what you can do and when you are available. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

While some of the surrrendered animals will be made available for adoption locally, they will not be available until August 30th and will be adopted out using our normal adoption process. See Adoption Process on this website. Many of the animals will be going to rescues around the nation that are better equipped to deal with puppy mill animals, but animals that we feel are appropriate for local adopiton, will be available beginning on that date.

Lastly, thank you to everyone that has been a part of making this amazing rescue of these animals possible. There are too many to name at this hectic time, but you know who you are and you're efforts are saving lives at this very moment.

Carrie Roe, President
HSOP

Humane Organizations Help West Virginia

Authorities Raid Puppy Mill

PARKERSBURG, W. Va. (Aug. 24, 2008) - One thousand dogs saved from a Parkersburg, W. Va. puppy mill are now on their way to better lives thanks to the diligent efforts of local authorities and local and national humane organizations.

"It is extremely gratifying to know that our efforts will bring comfort and hope to 1,000 animals that spent their whole lives in darkness and despair," said Maryann Hollis, executive director of the Humane Society of Parkersburg. "But we would not have been able to save all of these dogs without the help of United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Missouri and The Humane Society of the United States."

Members of the Wood County Sheriff's department and County Prosecuting Attorney Ginny Conley had received complaints that the property owner was discharging pollution without a permit. When they arrived on the scene to investigate these claims they found a grossly overrun breeding facility wrought with obvious animal neglect.

"While these were not the worst conditions I have ever witnessed, it is impossible for anyone to properly care for 1,000 dogs," said Ginny Conley, Wood County prosecuting attorney.

Once on the scene local authorities were able to convince the property owner to surrender ownership of all 1,000 dogs. The Humane Society of Parkersburg immediately called in United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Missouri and The Humane Society of the United States for assistance. All organizations involved have banded together to assist with the removal of the approximately 1,000 dogs and oversee the emergency shelter where all of the animals will be housed while they await their next destination.

The dogs were predominately dachshunds, but many Yorkies, King Charles Cavaliers and Poodles were also bred at the facility. All of the dogs were housed in dilapidated sheds spread throughout the rural property - some without access to fresh water. These dogs, like all animals bred in puppy mills, lacked proper veterinary care or even basic socialization. But these resilient little animals are already beginning to perk up under the care of their temporary guardians at the emergency shelter. Thankfully they will soon be taken in by humane organizations around the region, evaluated and put up for adoption.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org