The HSUS has been busy this year...over this past weekend, they just shut down yet another puppy mill. This time it's in West Virginia and had over 1,000 dogs (primarily dachshunds) that now need rehabilitation and homes. At the Washington Animal Rescue League where I work, we are getting in 101 dogs this evening. Just think about that...101 dachshunds who are skittish, unhealthy, and quite filthy. It's like the anti-disney movie. Of course, we hope it has the happiest ending of all...101 new lives for these animals who likely don't even know what it means to be pet.
I know I sound like one of those sad humane society commercials now, but it's actually a reality when it comes to this kind of animal cruelty. My first full time day at the shelter occurred during the arrival of the last round of puppy mill dogs, and everything they say is true. Matted, dirty fur, animals cowering in their carriers, german sheperds trying to crawl into a corner and make themselves tiny when they're the biggest dogs of the lot. It's beyond sad...
If you want to read more about the raid, you can go to www.hsus.org or the shelter's site at www.warl.org. I'm going to try and take pictures this time. Hopefully in a few weeks we'll also see pictures of happier, bouncier dougs. Those last puppy mill dogs? I get letter after letter from the owners saying it took time, but their new friends have become happy, loving additions to the family. And in case you're wondering, we do hear the same about our cats! Lots of letters from people who've gotten cats that also had less-than-magical lives before coming here, and now they are happy and playful, and the love of their owners' lives. If you're going to see the darker side of life, thank heavens there is also a much, much brighter side!
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