Puppies, zebras and pigs, oh my!
It’s been quite a week for animals in metro Atlanta. Evidence, our little lost zebra, is healing. The pig didn’t fare so well on I-85. Now more than 300 dogs seized from a Jackson County puppy mill could be looking for new homes instead of returning to their cages, thanks to a judge’s ruling Thursday.Many, many readers have asked how to buy or adopt one of those dogs. The photos, especially of the adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies (on the cover), have many of you ready to bring them home today. But the family that owns the puppy mill still can appeal the ruling that orders the dogs be sold. Even if they don’t appeal, the county must decide how the dogs will be sold — whether it’s through rescue groups that are currently housing them, or some other way. Rest assured, I’ll be following the story. As soon as they announce a plan, and the dogs are clear, I’ll let you know.But keep in mind that these are puppy mill dogs, which means they often have health issues. All of the adults taken from the farm had dental and skin issues. ,While the rescues are working to fix these dogs up, many could have ongoing health issues, not to mention behavioral problems. Often adult dogs from puppy mills are hard to housebreak and while some are sweet, others haven’t been socialized correctly and are terrified. And they know nothing about the real world. Many have never walked on grass or even run.So how about it? Would you be up for adopting a pet with behavior or medical problems? Have you adopted a pet like that? If so, what advice do you have for people thinking about taking in one of these dogs?
Also, it’s Friday, which means it’s time for
• Your weekly dose of Smiling Pets. Enjoy!
• Behr, our Pet of the Week. He’s one of many animals in need of a loving home. But Behr isn’t alone! Take a look at some of his friends at the Atlanta Humane Society. Or, check out pets available in Clayton County.
Share This
Of COURSE the first ones had to be the Cavaliers, one of my favorite breeds!
We currently have four dogs, but if I had the time/ability to care for 5 or more and hadn’t just paid nearly $800 this week on dental care/surgery on two dogs, I would definitely consider it! Also, I prefer older dogs rather than puppies, so I would take in an adult dog.
As far as behavior problems, I would take in a dog, so long as the dog wouldn’t be a liability (eg, biting people) and got along fine with the dogs I already have. I’ve brought in a dog that got aggressive with our existing dogs, and we had to find him a new home. It took several months and was stressful in the meantime, so I wouldn’t want to do that again!
Request a comment be removed
I want a King Charles…or two.
How can i find out more about the disposition of these puppies ?
Request a comment be removed
Julia, let me just say, it’s going to be tough to get one of those Cavaliers. There are only a few, and half the state wants them. Once the list of rescues is released, people will be able to apply for them. But there are going to be a lot of people applying for those puppies.
Request a comment be removed
If the county auctions off the dogs, most of them will be bought by other breeders, and the cycle of abuse will continue, unless the rescues can raise enough money to outbid the breeders.
We can prevent that from happening, by contacting the judge and requesting that the dogs be signed over to the rescues to be rehomed. His contact info is:
Piedmont Circuit
Judge David Motes
P. O. Box 685
Winder, GA 30680
Phone: 770-307-3032
FAX: 770-307-3033
Some of the dogs were taken in by Lifeline Animal Project and their website is AtlantaPets.org.
Request a comment be removed
Hey, Me too…. I want one can we go ahead and be pre approved for an adoption for one. How much will the fee be?
Request a comment be removed
How can we get one with the promise gauranteed to spay or neuter the pup asap! Hrbrrnch@aol.com
Request a comment be removed
Also, Puppy Mill dogs have A LOT of issues. They will not be housebroken or have had any sort of training. A lot of them will have never been handled by humans, walked on a leash, or socialized in any way. Some will also be suffering from depression and post-traumatic stess disorder. Some will be aggressive with people, children or other dogs. And most of them have health issues, many of which are chronic and will require a lifetime of care.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to adopt one, but knowing what it entails will help you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Best Friends did a story on this case, so people from all over the country will be applying for these dogs. Some are at Lifeline Animal Project, some at Southern Hope Humane and some at Georgia Humane. If you want a real chance at adopting one of them, I suggest volunteering with the rescue that is taking care of them. It’s a great way to help out and get to know the dogs at the same time.
Request a comment be removed
There are going to be thousands of people applying for these dogs. If you are really interested in adopting one, you need to contact the organizations that have them asap. I’m sure people in the metro area will be given first consideration.
atlantapets.org
southernhope.org
georgiahumane.com
Request a comment be removed
I live 40 miles west of Atlanta, I still would love to have one I have the patience to take with it I work part time with a yard and back porch and have house trained my shih tzu. And I would promise to have it to be fixed so no repopulating the bread just totally for a family pet
Just let me know.
Request a comment be removed
heyy i think that dog really cute and i want to know how much it is soo if you could please send me message back i wolud really like that.
Request a comment be removed
Are the people on this blog even reading the story??? Seriously, come on people. You really need to pay attention to the issue about the auctions - if these dogs are auctioned, then they will go to breeders who will just continue the abusive cycle. The dogs won’t be adopted out of this blog like some of you seem to think. Keep checking back as the PetDish promises to keep everyone updated as to status and how to adopt the dogs as some point in the future.
Request a comment be removed
Thanks Samantha. People need to read the story and under the issues. These are not just cute puppies looking for a home, they are part of a cycle of abuse that starts in the puppy mill. When and if these dogs are released to the rescues NONE will go out unfixed! They will be completely vetted and the homes carefully screened. So if you are one of those people interested because you think you are going to get a “purebred cheap”, do you homework! Know these dogs can have health and emotional issues. If you don’t have the time, money and patience, please apply for one of these (or any) dog.
Request a comment be removed
I have rescued a puppy mill dog. She is an adult and has extensive issues. She is unable to be housetrained. She is blind. During her spay we learned that she has mammary cancer. Her dental problems are atrocious. With all that being said, I wouldn’t give her up for anything. She is loving, sweet and loves nothing more than hearing my voice. You can never get a dog that will love you more than an adult from a puppy mill. They are so grateful for any attention at all.
Request a comment be removed
In April of 1991, I purchased a beagle from Dekalb County from a gentleman that was constantly selling beagle pups advertised in the classified section of this paper. At age 3 months, she came down with mange. At age 6, her right eye had to be removed. When she died, after being a “wonderful” and much loved family member for over 16 years and three months, we all realizes that we had the “greatest beagle” in the world. If this breeder were alive today, I would have loved to purchase another one from him. He was a true Southern Gentleman. We kept in touch at Christmas time and we were to bring back to New York, a southern lady who became the greatest gift for my three children.
Request a comment be removed
He was a true Southern Gentleman.
Sorry, but a “gentleman” would not continue producing subpar animals with congenital health defects and making a quick buck off them.
Those of you who have bought puppy mill dogs, or have “rescued” them after their initial buyers discarded them, need to understand that though they may be loving animals, the only way to break the puppymill cycle is for these animals to stop being so much in demand.
Puppymills will continue to exist as long as people get animals from them. Think long and hard about this before you get your next dog.
Request a comment be removed
DogRealist, I agree people shouldn’t buy puppy mill dogs, or even dogs from backyard breeders. If you have to have a purebred, buy from a reputable breeder who cares about the animals and not the money.
But it seems like you’re also saying people shouldn’t rescue puppy mill dogs. There I have to disagree. Rescuing these dogs and giving them a loving home won’t encourage anyone to breed more dogs. Now if someone bought a dog from a puppy mill breeder to “rescue” it, I’d agree. But not in this case.
And after all these dogs have been through, I can’t think of animals more deserving of a chance at a loving home. Trust me. I sat through the 6 1/2 hours of testimony.
The one thing that does disturb me though, is there are a number of people who seem to want one or more of these dogs simply because they think they can get a cheap, purebred dog. Especially in the case of the Cavalier King Charles spaniels. If that’s why you want them, then please don’t try to adopt. These dogs need to go to people who will love and care for them, and that care could become expensive. If you’re looking for a bargain, these dogs aren’t it.
Request a comment be removed
I live in WA state but I would love to adopt a small breed puppy, we live on five acres with three cats, seven goats, chickens and a rooster, three dogs….one is Bassett Hound Harvey who is 16 years old now, and he not in good health but he is still comfortable, Daisey a weinier dog that is blind and 12 years old she still eats more than our pet pig! LOL… Then there is Buford he is half Waler and coon Hound that we adopted from the Humane Society because he had a hunting handicap.
The reason I would love to adopt a small dog is that I would be able to take her him to work with me and I miss having a small pooch to share adventures with, when I was a young girl I had a small black and white chihuawa that was just a sweetheart….I miss her!
I gurantee the little adopted pup would be loved for years to come and we believe strongly in excellent health care for our critters… we currently see four different vets due to various reasons for our pets…. a little pup would be a joy to have as a companion. I am 52 and my spouse is 54 our kids are grown up….our kids are now are pets…. and we love each one of them…..they are all so different and fun!
Request a comment be removed
As a person who is DIRTECTLY involved in this case and in the fostering of many of these animals I can assure the public that we will all be screening the potential homes for these animals…..just because you want one does not automatically mean you will get one. We are picky in the best of circumstances about where our animals spend the rest of their lives once we have rescued them, but we will even be pickier with these! That is due in part to the fact that these animals do have issues, at this point mainly emotional/behavioral issues, so having patience will be key. At this point we are are fairly confidant that rescue will be able to place all of the dogs but we are waiting to get the go ahead from Jackson County…I am sure our favorite Pet Dish Blogger Sandy will keep all of you posted when and if they are available. In the meantime please feel free to donate at LifeLine Animal Project for their continued care! And several posters are absolutely correct NONE (including you Rachael) of these animals will go out unfixed! Rachael also meant to say if you don’t have the time, patience and money DO NOT apply for these animals or really any animal as they all require a lot of all of those things!
Request a comment be removed
Ohno, thank you for this important information. I just read an ajc.com article on the judge’s order to sell these dogs to reimburse rescue group expenses. I didn’t see any mandate that they be spayed or neutered prior to sale! I’m happy to learn they will be, after all, what’s the point of “rescuing” if they go back to a life of squalor and mass breeding? Thanks, and I look forward to your updates.
Request a comment be removed
I WISH I COULD BY HIM BUT MY PARENTS WONT LET ME HAVE ANOTHER PET UNTILL MY B-DAY!!!!!!
THANKS,
HAYLEY
Request a comment be removed
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HES SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!1
Request a comment be removed
how mutch dose he cost i will buy him depending on the price
Request a comment be removed
i will buy him depending on the price
Request a comment be removed
My wife and I adopted a dog with issues. We had a Papillon, Oliver, and decided he needed a compainion, so we found another at a rescue group out of Chattanooga. When we first met Tyler he wouldn’t do anything but sit in the corner and shiver. Turns out he was raised for the first year and a half in a cage in a barn with little or no positive human contact. Slowly but surely step by step he has come around. We havw had Tyler for a year a year and half now and he has adapted very well. He loves to travel with us, walks well on a leash, has learned a couple of tricks, and has turned our to be a a fine feller. I am so glad we adopted Tyler and I think he is glad he found us.
Request a comment be removed
But it seems like you’re also saying people shouldn’t rescue puppy mill dogs. There I have to disagree. Rescuing these dogs and giving them a loving home won’t encourage anyone to breed more dogs.
Well, on the one hand, you are correct. Once the initial purchase has been made, where the dog ends up after being rehomed does not line the puppymiller’s pockets.
Unfortunately, rescue groups often play right into puppymiller’s hands when they show up at puppymill auctions and purchase the breeding dogs that are of no more use to the millers. The rescuers think they are doing something good, and they are, but they are also giving money to the producers to buy/create more dogs. I have a huge problem with this. The puppymillers are fully aware of what they are doing–playing on the sympathies of the humane groups.
Do I want those dogs to suffer any more? No. I just wish there was a way to get the dogs away from the jerks without them benefitting financially.
Now, this latest Jackson Co. raid is different, of course. The millers are (so far) not benefitting. But they will just buy more dogs and start over.
I certainly want all adoptable dogs to find loving homes. But adopters need to be aware of the problems these dogs will have, and be prepared to deal with them. First-time dog owners should stay away from them, in my opinion. They are going to be a lot of work, and most people are not counting on that.
I also have an issue with people all wanting these cute fluffy “purebreds” when thousands of nice mutts die in shelters everyday–mutts that will often be much easier to raise.
I also take issue with people’s mindsets about “rescued” puppymill dogs. Yes, they have been abused. Many will have issues. But they are not children in fur coats, and they need to be treated like dogs. “All they need is a lot of love” is NOT true. Many people who adopt “rescued” dogs feel sorry for them, and this does not help the dogs. They still need training, leadership, and consistency–not pity.
It’s a crappy situation, I agree. There are no easy answers.
Request a comment be removed
These aren’t the only adorable and needy animals out there. Check out this website for an opportunity to be a hero…
www.petfinder.org
Request a comment be removed