PORT WASHINGTON, NY (Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009)-Approximately 150 cast-off puppy mill dogs from a number of Midwest states are safe today after being transported by Best Friends Animal Society and delivered to North Shore Animal League America. After thorough medical evaluations, much-needed grooming, and a lot of TLC, they eventually will be available for adoption at the Animal League and through local rescue groups, hopefully in time to spend the holidays with their new families.

After a long, cross-country journey, they were delivered this morning to the Animal League in Port Washington by Best Friends Animal Society, which arranged for the release and provided transport of the dogs. While the majority of the dogs will remain at North Shore Animal League America, two other animal welfare organizations-Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Wainscott, NY and Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association, Ledgewood, NJ-will provide homes for the dogs until they are adopted.

Among the rescued dogs Best Friends delivered, are adults that were used for breeding, adolescents and puppies, including various breeds such as dachshunds, Westies, French bulldogs, poodles, Boston terriers, beagles, Brussels griffons and bichon frises.

Joanne Yohannan, Senior Vice President of Operations for North Shore Animal League America, said that the timing of the dogs’ arrival was ideal. “Our experience as a rescue and adoption organization is that pets are truly family members. These animals have never had that kind of belonging, so it’s uplifting to know that finally, they will have the lives they deserve. This rescue could not come at a better time. The holidays are when we express our appreciation for what is most meaningful, and to save an animal’s life is very high on the list,” said Yohannan.

For all of the rescuers involved in this effort, this is an important time of year to raise awareness about the horrors of puppy mills. As the holidays approach, many families consider adding a pet to the family, and those who don’t know better head straight for the pet stores to purchase their new puppy. Buying from a pet store sends a message to the shop owners that there is still demand for puppy mill dogs, and this keeps the pet stores, brokers and puppy mills in business. The parents of pet store puppies are victims of terrible neglect and spend their lives in small cages and endure miserable conditions with almost no human contact.

Like every other retail business looking to cash in during this season, pet stores literally stock up on puppies in anticipation of the holiday shoppers. One former pet store employee who was in charge of ordering the puppies from the brokers said they quadrupled their orders in December, from about 40 to 50 puppies a month, to 40 to 50 a week.

As consumers, holiday shoppers have the power to break this cycle of supply and demand by avoiding pet stores who offer anything but shelter or rescue pets. Families can choose to give the precious gift of life this holiday season by adopting their new pet from a shelter or rescue group.

Dogs such as those arriving in New York today are typically killed or sold at mill dog auctions for as little as 25 cents because they are considered unsalable. Instead, these lucky dogs will get a new chance for happy lives. These 150 dogs are in addition to 390 dogs rescued from puppy mills in two previous transports. While this is wonderful for the more than 500 dogs who have been rescued, sadly this represents only a tiny fraction of the dogs still living and breeding in deplorable conditions in puppy mills.

Yohannan explained that the rescued animals would be given time to settle in, and will be cared for and made to feel at home after their long journey. “We are pleased to be able to host and triage these animals in our rescue facility, the Lewyt’s Ark. Our job is to prepare them for adoption into the loving homes they deserve.” The immediate need, however, is to get the dogs feeling safe and comfortable in their new environment. Then our staff experts will begin the process of medically and behaviorally evaluating each animal. These dogs have led lives deprived of nurturing, caring and the kindness of human touch.

“Just because the puppy mill staff decide that these dogs are no longer profitable doesn’t mean they deserve to be discarded. We are glad to offer them a second chance at a new life,” said Kelli Ohrtman, campaign specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, which funded the transport of the dogs to the New York area through its “Pup My Ride” transportation program. “Many of these dogs will be walking on grass, playing with toys, eating treats and being held and cuddled for the first time in their lives.”

The rescue and transport of the dogs are part of Best Friends Animal Society’s “Puppies Aren’t Products” national campaign (puppiesarentproducts.com), which also targets the retail end of the puppy mill industry through informational demonstrations at New York puppy emporiums. Since 2008, the peaceful pet store demonstrations have caused some stores to only offer for sale pets that come from rescue groups and shelters.

“Puppy mill dogs comprise a significant percentage of the 4-5 million pets that die in American shelters annually,” said Ohrtman. “The mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets. It’s what the public wants and the pet trade industry must change dramatically or it will become a relic of the past.”

Yohannan said that the Animal League will announce later in the week when the animals will be available for adoption and advised interested individuals to visit the Animal League website, www.AnimalLeague.org for details.

“Once our staff experts have determined that the dogs are ready for adoption, we will be eager to find the perfect home for each and every one of these wonderful dogs,” said Yohannan.

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