EARS volunteers deploy to Dallas/Forth Worth area for second time in a month to shelter more than 500 dogs and cats rescued from a puppy mill
KAUFMAN, TX (AUGUST 11, 2009) – United Animal Nations (UAN), a national animal protection organization, has deployed nine volunteers specially trained in emergency animal sheltering to help local agencies care for nearly 600 animals rescued from deplorable conditions at a massive breeding operation, or “puppy mill,” in Kaufman County today. Fifteen more UAN volunteers will arrive by the end of the week.
“United Animal Nations volunteers are expert at running temporary shelters and supporting communities that become overwhelmed by a large influx of animals,” said UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies. “Our volunteers have been working non-stop to unload the animals, help them acclimate to their new surroundings, and show them kindness like they have never experienced before.”
  Most of the 600 dogs rescued from a Kaufman County, Texas, puppy mill were living in filthy conditions and suffering from chronic wounds, parasites and serious infections. Photo courtesy The HSUS.  |
UAN is assisting The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department; the three organizations investigated the puppy mill and rescued the animals this morning. A puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation where animals are housed in substandard conditions without proper food, water, socialization and veterinary care. Dogs bred in puppy mills are typically sold at pet stores, through classified advertisements and over the Internet.
The dogs rescued in Kaufman are mainly small breeds such as poodles and Chihuahuas. They were housed in filthy conditions and exposed to the harsh elements all year round. Many of the dogs are severely matted and suffering from chronic infected wounds, internal and external parasites, and serious skin and eye infections. It is obvious that many of these animals had never known life outside their wire cages. Fifteen cats were rescued as well.
All of the animals are being transferred from the puppy mill to an emergency shelter set up specifically for this rescue mission. PetSmart Charities® sent its Emergency Relief Waggin’® full of donated goods such as wire crates, dog food and bedding to supply the shelter.
Distinguished by their red shirts, UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers will feed the animals, clean cages, and assist veterinarians who are providing any necessary medical care. In the last year alone, EARS volunteers have sheltered and cared for animals rescued from eight puppy mills in the U.S. and Canada.
This is the second time in the last month that UAN has deployed EARS volunteers to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In July, 59 EARS volunteers helped the Humane Society of North Texas care for nearly 500 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Montague County.
Read more about this situation on our Emergency Response Blog.
To learn more about puppy mills visit www.uan.org/puppymills.
Watch this video taken at the emergency shelter after the animals were rescued:
Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education. Learn more at www.uan.org.
###
