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Pocono News Section
Dogs Need Homes After Puppy Mill Shuts Down
Dogs Need Homes After Puppy Mill Shuts Down - Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 5:40PM EST
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 @ 05:40pm EST
MAHONING TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY -- Dozens of dogs need new homes, after a puppy mill operation is shut down. More than 75 dogs are in rescue shelters and the Mahoning Valley Animal Hospital (MVAH) here.
State officials expect more than 100 more commercial kennels tagged as "puppy mills" to shut down after the new year, due to stricter guidelines. Nearly two dozen already shut down this week statewide.
Andrea Marren of Coaldale broke down after seeing the condition of a Scottie that was rescued from a puppy mill Tuesday.
"I hope to have a second member in my family, and I hope they get along," said Marren, who already has a seven-month-old Scottie.
The MVAH took in 25 of the rescued dogs.
"These dogs need homes, and what people need to realize is the puppies get out, they get adopted," said Veterinarian, Mary Lombardo. "It's the parents that are kept in wired cages with very little socialization, minimal care, that are bred over and over."
She says most of the dogs rescued are four or five years old. They've been bred multiple times a year and aren't taken care of.
"Most of them have bad teeth, bad feet, bad ears due to conditions in which they were kept," added Dr. Lombardo.
Dave and Judy Heim of Auburn are hoping to adopt one of the dogs. They adopted one rescued from a puppy mill last Christmas.
"She wasn't used to going up steps, she lived in a cage," said Dave Heim. "It takes a lot of training."
"But she is just so worth it," added his wife, Judy.
The MVAH is absorbing the cost of spaying and neutering the dogs.
"We're trying to give these dogs a second chance," said Lombardo. "It's my 'Merry Christmas' to the dogs."
Dr. Lombardo says if you want to buy from a breeder, check their references. She says people shouldn't buy dogs from pet stores -- many get dogs from puppy mills. She suggests people adopt from shelters instead.
"Save a life," she said. "This is what we're doing."
Dr. Lombardo expects hundreds more dogs in our area to need homes in the coming weeks, as commercial kennels don't renew their licenses. She wants to hear from people who are willing to foster animals or adopt animals as those puppy mills continue shutting down. The number to reach her at the MVAH is 570-386-3088. The email address is mvah@ptd. net. You can copy the following link for the animal hospital and paste it in your web browser: www. mahoningvalleyah. com.
Here are some of the new regulations for commercial kennels:
- dogs must have access to outdoor exercise areas
- temperatures inside the kennel must be at least 50 degrees
- water must be provided regularly
- no wired-flooring cages (only solid floors)
- no stacking cages
- twice yearly veterinarian examinations
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