According to the Humane Society, there are at least 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States as of June 2015.
These profit-driven operations are focused on high-volume breeding at the neglect of the physical and emotional care of the animals. Female dogs are vigorously bred without recovery time while the group as a whole is generally locked in small cages, never having the freedom to truly run and play.
Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is an organization devoted to “end[ing] animal suffering through direct and compassionate action, and to inspir[ing] the highest ethical standards of humanity.” As a result of their mandate, ARC is passionate about taking down puppy mills whenever they get the chance.
Although the ARC has done numerous rescues, Operation Home for the Holidays— where 100 dogs were saved from a puppy mill— is probably one of their most well-known.
Two weeks prior to the rescue date, the organization had visited the puppy mill to obtain evidence of animal abuse. In a video posted to YouTube, ARC President Scotlund Haisley briefs the team, explaining:
“We got undercover footage. We felt we had a strong case, [authorities] agreed. We identified that everything in here is consistent with what our original findings were: cruelty.”
The ARC begins to enter the puppy mill, to start the long process of saving 100 dogs within a mere few hours. The team has 2 vets in charge of intake and treating the animals for any conditions they may have acquired.
The mill is decrepit. Feces litter the pens and the smell of ammonia is overpowering; the team is forced to wear masks in certain areas just to be able to breathe. According to the description of the YouTube video:
“Adult dogs and newborn litters of puppies of a variety of small breeds were found crowded into small crates and pens, exposed to extremely high levels of ammonia without access to adequate water. The dogs were suffering from untreated, painful eye infections, respiratory conditions, dental issues, severe matting that limited their mobility and vision, and urine-soaked, feces-soaked fur.”
The vets had their jobs cut out for them, with Dr. Catrina Heard explaining:
“When I come on-site, I have to detach myself from the emotions because if I were to stop and actually think about how these animals were living, I couldn’t do my job today. I have to focus on what they’re gonna look like in a month from now instead of focusing on what they look like today.”
Despite the pups’ original conditions, the joy they feel when seeing their rescuers is palpable: their tails are wagging and their eyes are bright.
Following the rescue, the 100 dogs were treated, fostered, and eventually adopted.
A few of the dogs’ new owners have even provided updates on the ARC Facebook page!
Don’t forget to visit the ARC Facebook page to watch footage of other rescues or to make a donation to the cause, and be sure to watch the entire Home for the Holidays rescue below!
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