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| The HSUS |
| Two dogs rescued from the Hillsville, Va., puppy mill. |
By Victoria Fisher
Thanks to the help of dozens of animal shelters and The HSUS's undercover investigation, hundreds of dogs in Virginia will finally have a chance at a happy life.
Massive Mill
In what is the largest puppy mill rescue in the history of Virginia—and possibly the country—the dogs will be taken in by shelters, and many will ultimately be made available for adoption.
Carroll County, Va., officials announced Nov. 6 that they had gained custody of 980 puppies and adult dogs—including breeding females—who had been kept continually caged in factory-farm-like conditions.
The HSUS assisted local authorities with removing most of the animals ultimately seized* by the county—transporting them as needed and coordinating with local animal shelters (though some came from as far away as Florida) to house and care for the dogs.
To the Rescue
The HSUS's five-month, undercover investigation into Virginia puppy mills was the catalyst for this rescue. When Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support (VA PAWS) showed Carroll County officials The HSUS's footage, they confronted the puppy mill owner with evidence and set the rescue in motion. VA PAWS continues to work with county officials as part of the rescue effort.
"This is an inevitable consequence of an out-of-control and irresponsible industry," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President and CEO. "Dogs are suffering because of this. We are really surprised at the scope of large scale commercial breeding operations in Virginia."
Triage and Transport
Forty-three adult dogs were removed from the property Nov. 3, and 65 puppies were taken Nov. 6, but the total number of dogs at the puppy mill and in county custody has since swelled as more puppies have been born. Most of the animals are small-breed dogs.
Staff veterinarians with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Carroll County Animal Control officers are overseeing the triage and vaccinating the animals (mostly small-breed dogs) at a central staging area. A specially designed HSUS animal transport trailer arrived at the area on Nov. 7, along with HSUS staff to assist with animal care.
Shelters are picking up the dogs from the staging area on Nov. 8 and 9—each taking anywhere from 10 dogs to more than 100—including nursing mothers and their puppies.
Out of Hand
The Hillsville operation is known as Horton's Pups, a commercial operation owned by Junior Horton. Horton's Pups was visited by animal control officers and a veterinarian Nov. 1 when Horton admitted that his situation was out of hand and voluntarily signed over custody of most of his dogs to the county (all but 200, according to a county official, as of Nov. 8).
The HSUS investigation also documented that Horton wasn't licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required by law and was illegally selling dogs to pet stores. That information has been turned over to the USDA for possible further legal action.
Shelters Save Lives
Aptly, the outpouring of assistance from a network of shelters to assist in the Hillsville puppy mill rescue came during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (Nov. 4-10). Not only does the case drive home that shelters are responding to the needs of animals in their communities throughout the United States—it highlights the need for ongoing support from the public.
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| The HSUS |
A mama and her newborn pups after they were removed
from the Hillsville, Va., puppy mill. |
"This raid demonstrates the critical importance of shelters in our communities," said Stephanie Shain, HSUS director of outreach for Companion Animals at The HSUS and director of the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign. "Thanks to them, these dogs now have a chance at finding a real home for the first time in their lives."
"We ask people to support their shelters during this critical time so that they can afford to care for these animals," Shain said. "Also remember that there are dogs in need at your local shelter every day of the year. Please don't forget all the other wonderful pets at the shelter who are just as deserving of a good home."
How You Can Help
While The HSUS continues to press government agencies and legislators to act on puppy mills in Virginia, you can help stem the crisis of pet overpopulation wherever you live.
Many of the dogs from the Hillsville puppy mill won't be available for adoption right away, but if you want to help, consider adopting an animal from your local shelter. Regardless of whether the dog was rescued from a puppy mill, any adoption saves lives.
Victoria Fisher is Outreach Communications Coordinator for the Companion Animals section of The HSUS.
*The exact number of dogs seized has yet to be confirmed by Carroll County.
Updated Nov. 9, 2007
