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| The HSUS/Riley |
| This chihauhaua was one of nearly 700 dogs rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill. |
The Humane Society of the United States extends our deepest gratitude to our partner shelters, humane organizations, veterinarians and technicians from throughout Tennessee, and national and local businesses for coming to our aid to help the nearly 700 dogs and puppies rescued last week in the largest puppy mill bust in Tennessee history.
The rescue was set into motion by The Humane Society of the United States' Tennessee state director, Leighann McCollum, who had received undercover tips about the puppy mill operation. She worked with local district attorney investigators to build a case against the puppy mill operator, resulting in the June 25 raid in the town of Lyles.
“This was a massive rescue effort that couldn’t have been done without the skill and dedication of the sheltering and local veterinarian communities or the care and generosity of the business community,” said McCollum. “We are very grateful for their contributions that were invaluable to the success of this mission.”
Officials from the well-established and reputable shelters that received the dogs signed a contract agreeing to conditions set by The HSUS for the care of the animals. One of those conditions is that the adopter will not transfer the animal without written permission from The HSUS and the shelter from which they adopted. Another condition is that every dog will be spayed or neutered so they can no longer be used as breeding machines or contribute to pet overpopulation. The adoption procedures are in place to ensure the dogs have a future much brighter than their past existence.
Some of the dogs have been adopted and others are still being assessed before being placed into new homes. The HSUS congratulates the new pet parents who opened their hearts and homes to these survivors. Many of these dogs have lived in cages all their lives and many will always have special needs. People considering adopting a puppy mill dog need to appreciate the challenges as well as the pleasures involved. The HSUS has tips on behavioral issues such as housetraining and helping dogs rescued from puppy mills adjust to living in a home.
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| The HSUS/Riley |
| This little dog gets checked out by a vet. |
“The level of cooperation among all the groups involved, from law enforcement to local businesses to national animal groups, has been inspiring as well as essential to the rescue of the animals,” said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for The HSUS and commander of operations for this rescue. “Now these little survivors are in the care of shelters committed to finding the loving homes the animals long deserve.”
Many and heartfelt thanks go to the humane groups on the ground who helped come to the rescue of the dogs. They include the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of Missouri, United Animal Nations, Nashville Humane Society, High Forest Humane Society, Bowling Green Humane Society, Hickman County Humane Society, Tampa Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and volunteers from The HSUS National Disaster Animal Response Team.
Several veterinarians from around the state also stepped in and worked tirelessly to help the animals, including Julia Adams, Nell Alt, David Bernander, Bryan Bondurant, Tom Edmonds, Mary Ergen, LeeAnn Givan, Louis Graham, Sharon Hensley, John Kruckeburg, Louie Lembo, Danielle Mannis, Jerry McMillan and Steve Scott.
The HSUS is grateful to every animal shelter that opened their doors to the victims of this puppy mill. They include:
- Anti-Cruelty Society Chicago (IL)
- Atlanta Humane Society (GA)
- Bowling Green Humane Society (KY)
- Douglas County Humane (GA)
- Happy Tails Rescue (TN)
- Hickman County Humane (TN)
- Hohenwald Animal Hospital (TN)
- Humane Association Wilson Co (TN)
- Humane Society of Broward County (FL)
- Humane Society of Missouri (MO)
- Nashville Humane Association (TN)
- Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League (FL)
- Scottie Rescue (TN)
- St. Johns County Animal Control Pet Shelter (FL)
- Sterile Feral (GA)
- Sumner County Humane (TN)
- Tampa Bay SPCA (FL)
- Washington Animal Rescue League (DC)
- Washington Humane Society (DC)
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| The HSUS/Riley |
| Volunteers unload a puppy mill dog as she makes her way to a new home. |
The generous donations and other help from the following national and local businesses were invaluable. From dog food and crates, to medicine and meals, this operation depended on such charity: PetSmart Charities, Hill’s Science Diet, Merial, Wal-Mart, and Applebees and Jaxby’s restaurants. Webster Veterinary Supply delivered all the necessary medical supplies as quickly as possible.
Local motels—including Jameson Inn and Comfort Inn in Gallatin, Tenn. and the Hampton Inn, Comfort Inn, Days Inn and Ramada Inn in Dickson, Tenn.—offered very good rates and plenty of flexibility with the number of people coming and going.
Additionally, U-Haul and Ryder Truck Rentals of Nashville and GPC Driving of LaVergne worked diligently with The HSUS to transport resources.
The tremendous outpouring from everyone involved in this emotional rescue has given these dogs a future of tender loving care in a home of their own, far away from their squalid cages. By adopting these dogs, the new families are enlisting in the crusade to stop puppy mills. Their stories will educate thousands of individuals and save many more dogs from being the victims of cruel puppy mills.
