Raid Uncovers Hundreds of Virginia Dogs Living in Filth

Following an in-depth investigation into puppy mills in Virginia, the Humane Society of the United States raided Horton's Pups last night and seized unlicensed breeder Junior Horton's 1000 dogs. That's right, folks. You read that right. One thousand dogs. This video clip, released on Monday, offers a look at the puppy industry in Virginia and features Junior Horton, among other.

The rescue where I got Gypsy, the Washington Animal Rescue League, received 105 of the dogs late last night and is in the process of assessing them and treating their numerous injuries, illnesses and birth defects. I received this press release from them earlier today:

WARL Rescues 105 Puppy Mill Dogs
Now the real work begins...

Dear Friend of WARL and Animals,

Forgive me if this is a bit disjointed, but it has been a long night.

After spending all day Thursday assisting authorities in Hillsville, Virginia with the puppy mill rescue efforts, the WARL team arrived at our shelter at 4:00 a.m. A team of staff and volunteers met them here to feed all the dogs, give them clean water, and make sure they were comfortably housed and at rest.

Nine nursing mothers with a total of 35 puppies (some as young as a day old) were immediately placed in foster care with WARL volunteers.

All 105 dogs are now safe and in good hands. Among the breeds we have are Yorkshire Terriers, Bichon Frisés, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Cocker Spaniels, Maltese, Cairn Terriers, Corgis, Beagles, Peekapoos, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Poodle mixes.

The WARL Medical Center, with its three veterinarians, has cleared its schedule for the day so that each of the dogs can be thoroughly examined, treated for external and internal parasites, and given an individual treatment plan to correct any problems found.

This process has already started. So far we have found respiratory infections, parasites, dental disease, severe matting, eye maladies, and malnourishment.

Many of the dogs will be available for adoption in about a week, perhaps even a day or two earlier. The youngest puppies will be made available when they reach eight weeks of age.

Even by WARL standards, this rescue mission is a large one. We have managed to get these dogs out of a horrible situation and into a supportive environment with the best available veterinary care. Their suffering and trauma is over, but their rescue will not be complete until they are healthy and living in permanent, loving homes.

To finish the rescue, we will need the entire community's help. Specifically, we urgently need two things: adoptive homes for these dogs and funds for medical care and supplies.

The cost of treating and caring for these vulnerable dogs will be at least $200,000! It may even be more, depending on what our veterinarians find today. In short, we need everyone's generous help to save these 105 refugees.

You can make an online donation by clicking here for the donation form, or you can rush a donation to Puppy Mill Rescue, WARL, 71 Oglethorpe Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011.

And please help us find homes for these dogs. Spread the word far and wide!

Thank you in advance for your much needed assistance.

For the animals,
Scotlund Haisley
Executive Director