Puppy Mill surrenders 60 dogs to the CSPCA
(pinched from N@)Surrender sheds light on the ever-present problem of Puppy Mills in Quebec
(Feb. 27, 2009) — This afternoon, the Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took in approximately 60 dogs from a puppy mill just outside of Montreal. The dogs were voluntarily surrendered by the owner of the mill to the CSPCA on Friday February 27th.
The dogs, all small breeds, arrived at the shelter filthy and scared. They are being cared for by CSPCA volunteers at the emergency shelter in Montreal, where they are being given veterinary treatment, grooming and socialization before they are placed up for adoption.
“We are pleased that the owner of this puppy mill facility took it upon herself to surrender some of her animals to the CSPCA and we certainly encourage others to do the same. We were fortunate that the dogs were surrendered to us because, while the conditions of the dogs at this facility were certainly unacceptable, the owner of the facility was acting in conformity of the Criminal code* and therefore we were powerless to take any legal action in order to seize the dogs,” said Alanna Devine, Acting Executive Director for the CSPCA. “This case once again demonstrates the problem with our current legislation and enforcement; The Criminal Code does not adequately protect animals against neglect and the current Provincial animal welfare structure is doing little to stop puppy mills from operating in this Province”.
On February 12th, The Minister of Agriculture, Me Laurent Lessard announced the creation of a working group to bolster existing measures concerning pet cruelty. The working group will be headed by Geoffrey Kelley, MNA for Jacques-Cartier and will focus, among other things, on the issue of registration of puppy mills.
“The fact that we are only able to rescue these dogs because the owner of the facility surrendered the animals is more proof that Quebec must take a stronger stance against puppy mills. The public of Quebec has expressed loud and clear that action must be taken so that puppy mills can no longer operate in this Province. We are hopeful that the working group organized by Minister Lessard will facilitate sorely needed meaningful changes in Quebec Provincial animal welfare legislation and eradicate puppy mills once and for all” said Devine.
For more information, contact Alanna Devine, Acting Executive Director at (514) 735-9172 or (514) 659-0499
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Me and Didier met our friend Martin (who was considering getting a pooch of his own) and N@ and one of her neighbours at the SPCA today to lend a hand with meeting the initial needs of the latest rescues.
They were still being looked over for the first time by vets, getting their hair shaved off (as the ONLY means of tackling the infestations of lice, mites, fleas and ticks) or simply because they were so matted their coats of hair were like a straight jacket) getting bathed, and otherwise just starting to feel what it is like to be held in the arms of a human being that wants nothing more from it than to hold it and love it...
This what the forth Mill Raid aftermath that I've helped with and witnessed and I can tell you this, it does NOT get any easier. Each and every raid has produced horrific stories and the proof is in the poor abused creatures you see. The same little creatures you are there to help. To hold, to feed, to clean, to love.
When we got there the first thing we got put on was KP. There were a hundred or so bowls to be washed and dried. D and I did that while N@ and her friend began bathing a pooch and Martin went to give some lovin to the others. Shortly after D and I bathed a beautiful Husky female. (DAMN! their fur is like a sponge! you cannot dry a husky with towels... no matter how many you have. It just ain't possible!)
Then we just did what we could, cleaning cages, holding and petting and walking and playing with dog after dog after dog.
Here are just a few of the pooches we helped today...
(Pardon all the devil red-eyes, it was more about the dogs we were there to see than the photography)
Martin and a big black and beautiful girl (who shortly after when under the clippers and while is now a short hair, is not also far more comfortable and no longer infested)...
Didier with one sweet sweet Chihuahua...
Martin with an adorable Chihuahua-Westland Terrier mix...
Yours truly and a luscious caramel coloured Chi...
Didier and Martin with the sweetest, most gentle Daschund (who had just recently given birth)...
N@ and her friend with another Daschund, belly rub time!...
Me and the most bittersweet Chihuahua you could ever meet (More on him in the next post)...
N@ and the teeniest wee little poodle ya ever did see...
Each and every one of these sweet sweet things breaks your heart and fills you with their love all at the same time.
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* Basically, if you feed an animal give it water and shelter then you are in compliance with the law...
There is nothing on the books that says if you keep 120 of em in your house and otherwise ignore them except to ensure they breed like rabbits then snatch those puppies away and sell then for profit, ignore any and all grooming and attend to health needs and concerns, then it's all good.
SICK!
