Feature/Pets

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Ashley Hopkins and Austin

Bruce County, Quebec and the northern United States are listed as some of the worst offenders when it comes to puppy mills. 

The mills breed dogs over and over again until they are literally worn out, at which point they are destroyed.  They are kept in crates or cages their entire lives and exist in their own feces and are never allowed out.

According to sources, some of the worst offenders in Bruce County, are in the Mennonite community where barns are filled with cages of dogs forced to breed puppies that are then sold primarily to pet stores.

Much of the problem is exacerbated by the fact that Ontario and Quebec have some of the worst animal humane legislation found anywhere.  The SPCA are, in fact, aware of many of these puppy mills but its 'hands are tied' because of existing laws.

Fortunately, for many of these puppies, there are organizations that will take them in and try to find caring homes.  Southampton Pet Hospital recently adopted 26 shi tzu puppies into good homes and 'Pet Rescue' in Lucknow regularly takes in puppies and abused dogs.

Kathi Newell-Nicholson, owner of Pet Rescue recently had an information booth at Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.  In the booth, she had three rescued dogs and graphic photos of many more in puppy mills.

"One of the really unfortunate things, besides the abuse for these poor animals, is that they are now being cross-bred.  For instance shi tzu with chihuahua or shi tzu with spaniels which is creating new breeds that may have medical problems down the road.  Potential owners don't even know what they are buying in pet stores half the time," says Newell-Nicholson.  She says that she personally knows a Mennonite breeder who, if he has a dog with a slight blemish where he can't sell the puppy, will destroy or sell it to Pet Rescue.  "They (the breeder) will not just 'give' it to us to find a home. We have to buy it even though if we don't, it will be destroyed."

According to Newell-Nicholson, one of the recommendations has been to pass a law where pet stores would sell rescue puppies or those from responsible breeders only.

The Rescue has close to 40 cats and 30 dogs and pups at any given time and takes dogs in from local vet pounds, as well as shelters that keep strays or owner turn-ins for three days only. Besides from local puppy mills, they also take owner surrenders as space permits.

"There is always a need for more foster homes," says Newell-Nicholson.  "Initial vetting is done before the dog goes to foster care and food, leash, collar and I.D. Tag and crate are all provided."  Pet Rescue operates on donations and monetary gifts.   "We have several local veterinarians who help us when they can with reduced rated for medical care."

Gracie

Gracie is only one of those fortunate dogs that was captured by Pet Rescue volunteers and concerned citizens on July 30th. They had received calls and emails from pet lovers who had seen her living in the bushes and even at the local dump in late June and was also spotted in various locations spanning several concessions over the next four weeks.

She was so severely matted it took three hours to cut her coat down and pick out burrs, twigs and fleas. Gracie scavenged in the dump, lived thru soaring temperatures, dodged traffic and animals of prey and lived a lonely existence.

 "We believe she was either dumped out as a puppy or escaped from somewhere.  Understandably, she is easily startled, and is a flight risk at the door if not secured by a leash or safely fenced yard.  She loves companionship of dogs, cats and easy going humans," says Newell-Nicholson.  "Currently, she is crated during the day for her own mental well-being, as she can't rest  until she sees her caregiver again if she is left to free-roam the home, or even in a vehicle.  Grace is afraid of boisterous young children and needs a very special home where family members understand that she needs to be kept on a routine, including safeguarding her while she continues to get used to a normal every day existence. She would do best in a home with other dogs and is doing very well with house training and walking on a leash."

Gracie has been spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, micro-chipped, had her teeth cleaned, was boostered and dewormed. An adoption fee applies to cover a portion of the costs incurred.  If you think you have a suitable safe haven for Gracie please complete the dog adoption application on the adoption page of www.adoptapet.lucknow.on.ca and email it to petrescue@hurontel.on.ca

Another rescue from a puppy mill is Austin who, fortunately, found Ashley Hopkins of Cambridge.  "He is a Blue Heeler Australian Sheppard Cross," says Hopkins.  "He is a wonderful dog and," she smiles, "very loved and spoiled.

Austin not only found a loving home, he has also become an athlete and is off to Vermont this week to compete in the Dock Diving Championships.  "We've been very fortunate," says Hopkins, "as Austin is now sponsored by Nutram Pet Foods.  He is incredibly healthy and loves to compete."

Southampton Pet Hospital also has the Angel Fund which helps with costs for those animals that, for one reason or another, may not be able to afford medical care.  The Fund is by donation and to learn more of how to help with funding call 519-797-2960.

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Wednesday, October 05, 2011