Puppy Mill's - Petland's Dirty Little Secret

There is absolutely NO REASON to buy a puppy from a store.  The pet stores that sell puppies are the reason puppy mills exist. It's a simple matter of supply and demand. Go to www.petfinder.com and look up any breed, size, gender or age dog you might consider...you'll find it there, somewhere.  Adopt, don't shop!

The joys of fostering

The easy thing about fostering is that you get to meet some great dogs who really appreciate and need some help.  The difficult thing about fostering is that, if it works like it should, they find someone else to love them and they leave you.


My first foster was Bernie, the very scared and anti-social Pomeranian who came from a hoarder and possibly a puppy mill via Happily Ever After.  After 3+ months, I decided to hold Bernie on my lap, despite his protests, extending the time each day.  He put up with the "holding sessions" but didn't like them much, except for the treats that followed.  Then one day, he jumped up on my lap without any provocation.  That was the day I knew he was destined for a forever home and he now lives happily with the Briggs family where he is considered to be their "lap dog".

Bernie on his way to his new home

Next came Princess, who was surrendered by an elderly man's family when he went to a nursing home.  Princess is still with us.  She's deaf and elderly and sometimes a pretty crabby old lady who startles easily, but underneath there's a sweet, gangly old gal who needs love just like we all do.  I have become pretty attached to my first "girlfriend" who I call Princess Maxine after the Hallmark card lady Maxine.  She's been here since early summer and she helped me get through the loss of my little sweetheart Zacy.  Right now her forever home is my home and she can stay as long as she needs us.

Princess Smiling for the Camera

Note:  Princess is now an official adoptee...guess where?  Ok, after a year and a half I could not imagine surrendering her an anyone else.  I'm her mom now.  She is so sweet.

Benni came on the heels of Gizmo, the bichon mix, who didn't get along well with Princess.  I had to send him back to HEA.   It was just one of those doggie dislikes that I never understood, but she was here first.  Benni stole my heart totally and I knew giving him up would be tough.  Enter Pat and Ron who live a few blocks away and lost their beloved dog about a year ago.  I liked them immediately and knew they loved Benni too.  He now lives with them but visits when they go away for an extended time which is often as Pat does a lot of volunteering.  We've seen him every week since he left and that's a bonus.

Benni lounging at the pool with Gizzy

Shadow came when Benni left.  She is a sweetie too who was left by her family at the vet's office when they learned she needed some expensive surgery.  Happily Ever After paid for her surgery, the removal of a benign growth on her back and a dental.  She's now in great health and a real joy to have around.  She's very submissive and Princess sometimes gets the dogs all worked up by playing the "bed troll", growling and barking at anyone who attempts to jump up.  Gizzy, my cairn, accidently bit Shadow today in a fit of craziness initiated by Princess.  That was just before I took her on a home visit.  It went well for her where she met an older woman and her truck driver hubby.  The family does not have other dogs which seems like a good fit for Shadow.  I may be having to say good bye to her soon too.

Shadow at Happily Ever After event

Note:  Shadow was adopted but a couple of months later they found she had cancer that had spread throughout her body.  She was returned (as requested when things are not working).  HEA kept her comfortable until her death surrounded by people who cared.

Although each dog who has lived here has been deeply loved, I know that each deserves the very best home and long-term relationship that can be found.  I have been fortunate to have some input about their re-homing and I have had every confidence that they will continue to have the same good treatment and affection they received from me.  I am so proud of my Bubba and Gizmo for allowing these foster dogs to have a part in our lives and our home. That is why I foster and I encourage anyone who can to experience the joys and rewards of fostering.

Bubba looking shaggy and big 

The auction in the words of my rescuer friend Carolyn

The dialog below was written by Carolyn Hadley, Something Special Castaways of Kansas City. Carolyn and her partner, Susan Turturice had set up a fund to bid on as many of the auction dogs as possible and to arrange for their safe transport, foster and re-homing. This is their story...not mine. I only observed what happened with admiration. I also went to the vetting station where some of the dogs stayed until their transports arrived. Although we hoped to be able to rescue more, many factors prevented that reality. God bless those who got out and those who were responsible.

This past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We did manage to pre-buy some of the dogs being offered up at the Schindler Auction in Mexico Missouri. We "pre-bought" the labs, german shepherds, cane corso's and 7 senior poms. My daughter and I drove down to pick them up on Wednesday, where we were met by a rather confrontational gal named Betty. She is a breeder as well and was clearly not fond of rescue. We then met Bonnie Schindler who in all honesty was a very nice lady, she is on her 3rd battle with cancer and is terminal. When we went out to receive the dogs at one point we must have gotten to close to the edge of the drive as Betty told us not to go any further. We picked up all the dogs without incident, got them back to Kansas City for boarding and continued to gear up for the upcoming Friday and Saturday Auction.

Hopeful Poms at vetting station awaiting transport to loving homes

Note from me: Before we were allowed on the property, we had to have our driver's licenses photocopied and sign a waiver stating that we agreed to follow the rules which included no photo taking. A rescue was escorted out by the sheriff for taking photos and the atmosphere charged with animosity. The auctioneer made it very clear that they did not care who bought their dogs but that we better follow their rules. 

He also stated that the auction dogs had received the required vaccinations and that the health certificates needed had been added as a mandatory charge of $10 to the bills the successful bidder would pay at the end. Carolyn/Susan had been given permission before the auction to bring in a vet and he planned to vaccinate and issue health certificates for $5 at a vetting station about 20 miles away. This was the first they heard about this new arrangement. They sent their vet home but continued to keep the vetting station open and brought the dogs there to await transport.

Schindler Property Set Up: We arrived on the Schindler property just after 8am. I was overwhelmed by rows and rows of “huts”. Each hut was hooked to the next and they were maybe 2ft by 2ft houses with equal footage of raised wire floored cages. The little dogs would run back and forth to the front of the cage and into their “huts”. For the most part the dogs were pretty social in that they did not cower at the backs of their cages, most wanted to be up front and center getting love and attention. There were several rows of very large sized chain link runs that housed the large breed dogs as well. There were many barns and outbuildings on the property which each served a different purpose, such as puppy barn, whelping barn, yorkie barn etc. Overall, the conditions were far better then I expected.

Auction: I had only ever been to one small auction before and I only went as a co-pilot. This was the largest breeder auction in the state of Missouri. They started out selling the larger breed dogs, cockers were first. They were housed in larger sized runs in sets of 2. They were ranging in price from as low as $55 up to $500. I had managed to keep my emotions in check until about the 8th or 10th cocker sold and the reality of what was happening set in. 

Several times over the next 30 min. I had to look away and stare out over the field in order to clear the tears from my eyes. To see these dogs being held up in the air as if they were same a clock being auctioned at a junk sale. They would tell you what number in the catalog the dog was, what model number he or she was (year of birth) and the females were labeled as bred, due in heat, in heat etc. Males were referred to as good workers or they threw good litters. Not a single name was used, just numbers.

Sr. Cocker Alphie now safety in foster care

Our first purchase was a male cocker 03 model (auctioneer's term) and we also managed to get another male cocker 02 model. I think this was one of the most nerve racking, heartbreaking things I have ever done. We continued on through the outside runs, including boxers, huskies (most bought by the Amish between $685 and $1150), then bassets and beagles, which also brought mostly between $300 and $600. We finally got to the last outdoor run which contained the adorable lil corgi's. We had already scoped out who we wanted to bid on and checked in with other rescues to make sure we wouldn't be bidding against one another. Up came #104 female 09 model, she was heavily bred (due soon) so we knew the Amish were going to be on her and NONE of us wanted to see these babies jump out of the frying pan and into the fire by going to an Amish breeder. I jumped in to bid against the Amish couple while others kept an eye out on what they were doing. The man said to his wife that I was rescue and wouldn't bid very high. I finally dropped out of the bid at $900, we didn't get her but they didn't get her cheap either. Don't think I will ever forget how hard we tried for that lil girl, and it breaks my heart to think she has a whole lifetime stuck with that horrible breeder. 

7 yr old Brussels Griffon Fonzi in loving foster home now 

They finally moved on to sell what they called Bullet puppies, which is English bulldog and basset cross. There were 5 puppies, all female. Bonnie came out and took about 10 min to explain how much money you could get out of these pups, the best steps to breed them and recommended a particular artificial insemination kit. I believe all but 1 of those babies went to rescue as none of us could bare to sit back and let them go into that life. Once that was over we moved into the tent to start the small breed auction.

Bullet with rescuer's happy daughter

People who were working there carried small dogs out 2 and 3 at a time and they were lined up on a table mostly in groups of about 5 or so. The bidding would start, someone would jump in and it went up from there. If they were females, they were held up on their hind legs and their bellies were bared to see if they were bred. Many times I saw the breeder, mostly Amish ones come up and literally, physically stick their fingers inside the vaginal opening of the dog to "check" her. The dogs were scared and the looks on their faces… the look of horror and of not knowing was gut wrenching. The prices of the dogs were sky high, on average $500 or $600 per dog. If the female was bred, it skyrocketed, if she was due in heat or was in heat, again the price was driven up. If the male was small and perfect breed standard, the price drove up. Even the 10yr old females were going high.

Day Two: By the time they continued to add to the online catalog and pass out supplemental sheets I would estimate that they sold roughly 900 dogs and puppies at this auction. Day 2 was certainly no better and probably worse than day one. They had so many dogs left to sell they set up in 2 tents with 2 auctioneers, selling simultaneously. If you were in tent one you couldn't see what was even being sold in tent 2. I saw yorkies go for as low as a couple of hundred to $1500. There were several dogs on day two that were brought out and placed on the table that were whelping (delivering puppies) at the time. One poor pug #388 female 03 model had just whelped 3 puppies but was brought out to the table, her back end wrapped in a towel to be auctioned off. One of our rescue partners wanted her but had to go to the other tent, so she asked me to bid for her, said I could go up to $600, I won the bid at $725 and just kicked in the overage from our funds. I can't begin to explain the hurt I felt for this dog when she was ripped away from her babies, but wrapped in a towel and held in the air for the world to decide her worth. There were moms with 1 day to 1 week old puppies brought out and auctioned off as a group. One yorkie mom and her babies was bought by a breeder, I did hear the breeder say later in the line to someone else, “hey do you want to buy this yorkie, I only want the puppies” and they did… so her babies were taken from her before they were weaned because she had no value to them. She was a larger yorkie without much hair and not particularly yorkie attractive… so no value for her, I did find out later that they folks she went to were rescue… thank God, they saw value in her.

At the time it was going on, it just didn't seem real, of course we weren't sleeping and were exhausted and trying to stay focused on saving as many as possible… it wasn't until I had these last few days to reflect that I understand the magnitude of what transpired. I am emotionally drained and sickened by the way these animals are treated. We ended up in conjunction with our partner rescues speaking for 114 dogs…. Dogs that will no longer be subjected to this horror and puppies we managed to get that will NEVER know the breeding life and for that I am thankful.

THE ONE WHO STOLE MY HEART: I think each of us that attended found that one dog that stuck with us… that one we knew we had to help. I met mine on Friday.

I went into the puppy barn where they had not only puppies but some small Chihuahuas as well (those that know me, know I am a big dog person… 3 great danes of my own). But in one of the 2ft by 2ft wire raised wire cages… no solid surface at all, was a white ceramic food bowl, curled up in the food bowl was a tiny blue Chihuahua. I walked over to the cage and this tiny being got up and ran to the back of her cage. I bent down and in my best baby voice said “hi baby… how are you?” This lil thing bounced around butt wagging and ran to the front of the cage with the biggest toothiest smile I had ever seen. She did this over and over ever time I spoke to her…. Heart dog????? Oh yeah…..

#652 AKA Cindy, playing in the grass for the first time

I went back several times to see her, she wasn't slated to sell until Saturday. I couldn't get her out of my head. Next day we arrived at 8am again and I found Kristin (the breeders granddaughter) and asked her if there was anyway I could buy her before she was auctioned. I pointed her out, she said she would ask her grandma, she returned about 15 min. later and said grandma said to ask Bob the auctioneer. She did just that and came back to me and told me she was bred and they wanted $400 for her. Based on the prices I had witnessed the day before I knew I had to take her for that. She doesn't weigh more then 3 pounds, she's blue and she's bred. The Amish would have paid top dollar to have her. So that's when Cindy or in auction terms dog #652 female chi 08 model, bred, became mine. She flashes that big ole smile every time you talk to her and she is the sweetest most loving well behaved lil girl I have ever had honor of knowing and loving. She will be going in next week for her spay and will never again know breeding or living on wire again. She seems to have taken quite nicely to being a couchpotatoin the most hideously ugly orange and brown sweater (only one small enough for her) ever. She doesn't mind the ugly sweater, in fact it's put a smile on her face… and mine. Don't think I ever knew that such a small dog could occupy such a huge part of my heart.

Missourians VOTE YES! on Prop B

Talk about an exciting night...

When I first checked in the vote was 49 yes - 51 no, that changed to 50/50 and now at about midnight I received this message.  Prop B passed 51-49!
Hallelujah!  God has smiled on the dogs and the rescuers at last.  Now the work can really begin!

Email from:

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs / YES! on Prop B

Dear Sara,

Thousands of dogs will soon enjoy a better life -- and they have you to thank.

Missourians voted YES! on Prop B, and chose to save dogs suffering in Missouri puppy mills.

You made this victory happen. Whether you donated to keep our TV ads on the air, spent your nights phone banking for Prop B, hit the pavement with leaflets, gathered signatures from registered voters, or engaged your friends and family in Missouri -- you helped show millions of Missouri voters what Prop B would mean for dogs.

We are grateful to the citizens of Missouri for voting to crack down on puppy mill abuses and establish common-sense standards for the care of dogs at large scale facilities. Finally these creatures will have relief from being crammed into small and filthy cages, without veterinary care, exercise, or human affection. If we can do it here in the nation’s largest puppy mill state, we are more likely to see similar reforms enacted in other states, where the industry is not nearly as strong and entrenched.

Dogs should be treated like family pets, not like breeding machines or a cash crop. We look forward to working with commercial breeders to transition to more humane systems and setting a new high bar within this industry. Missouri lawmakers and state officials should heed this message from the people, and immediately step up enforcement efforts to crack down on inhumane breeding operations.

How dogs are treated is so important to all of us -- and even more important to the dogs who have been suffering every day in Missouri’s puppy mills. Together, we fought for a better life for puppy mill dogs, and together, we won.

Thank you,




Barbara Schmitz
Campaign Manager
Missourians for the Protection of Dogs / YES! on Prop B

P.S. For the latest news and next steps, please continue to visit YESonPropB.com.

Prop B will go to voters Nov. 2

I am worn out from reading posts on the auction dog group site which has whipped up a frenzy of negativity and unfounded accusations based on what happened this weekend with the dogs going for such high prices.  I still haven't completely digested the scene at the auction or processed what happened and I think I will refrain from talking about any of that until I do.  

On this evening before the vote on Prop B in Missouri, I can't help but think of the dogs I met this weekend at the auction in Mexico, MO.  I hope their fellow breeding dogs will benefit from this Prop and that it will result in many more dogs being available for rescue.  I hope the voters of Missouri are bright enough to see that the hype about this Prop being a government attempt to take away their rights is false.  You can read more about the discussion here:  Prop B - The Truth Debunked

Below is an explanation of Prop B in a nutshell.  I can't imagine why any responsible breeder would have a problem with these requirements.  There were signs all over MO saying to "Vote No on Prop B".  It scares me that uninformed people won't realize what they are voting about.  Tonight, I hope divine intervention will help these poor suffering dogs.

What Is Prop B?

Proposition B (the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act) will vastly improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri. It will limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility and require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with basic humane animal care, including:

• Sufficient food and clean water;

• Necessary veterinary care;

• Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;

• Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend their limbs;

• Regular exercise; and

• Adequate rest between breeding cycles.

Word from the Trenches

One of the rescuers was able to get a rare Cane Corso out early and said she was in remarkably great shape. It's rumored that Mrs. Shindler is fond of this breed so she may have gotten a bit of extra attention...as opposed to NO attention, as in the case of the other dogs.

"Just got home with my cane corso. She's just gorgeous, and SOOOO sweet! She is a tad bit shy, but will climb onto my lap if I sit down with her...All the corsos (corsi?) are out now, and the three I saw seemed to be sweet and in decent shape. I think mine's a bit thin, but we'll remedy that!  She seems to be fairly well adjusted. If you approach her too quickly or walk by too fast, she hits the ground. I had to work her up the 3 steps into the house (front half, back half, front half, back half. lol!) No concept of the leash. She sticks pretty close to me in the house and yard. She did well in her crate in the car, and didn't seem at all afraid to explore the house. Her little stub wags a LOT. No problems with the other dogs or the cats yet, and she'll let me check her teeth, handle her feet, and roll her over. She's sprawled out on the floor next to me right now. All in all, I am quite pleased (and very pleasantly surprised!). Michelle said hers hid behind the couch when she got her inside."

We are also told the Westie's that came out early were clean and in reasonably good shape. Obviously the Shindlers are trying to make a good impression. It will be interesting to see how the remaining 700 dogs in the auction are presented.


Fox News Report - The worst of the worst
This is a news expose from earlier about the breeder supplying all these dogs to the auction. The other woman mentioned is the Shindler's daughter. This story and others were part of the pressure brought to bear on this breeder resulting in their decision to leave the "business" before Prop B.

The auction site contains this message from the breeder:

SELLER’S STATEMENT: Since most of you know that I’m into my second battle with cancer, I can no longer spend 12-16 hours a day with my dogs as I’ve done so for years. Herman’s heart problem does not allow him to do this either. The dogs have been so enjoyable to us, it hasn’t only been our work, but our hobby as well. The quality and personalities of our dogs speak for themselves. They are well socialized and loved, so please, treat them likewise. We’ve spent almost 50 yrs with the dogs and the industry trying to pass experience and professional knowledge on to help other breeders in pediatric care, and traveling to D.C & Jefferson City working legislatively for the industry. It’s time for everyone to step up to the batter’s box and carry on (thanks to those who are doing this). But we’ll certainly miss our fellow breeders, the industry network of people and our four legged friends. When my battle is over, perhaps I’ll be able to travel and teach seminars to help, if God is willing.  Thank You, Bonnie Schindler

Personal note...what a CROCK!  How can someone twist reality so much?  Normally I would have some sympathy for anyone with cancer, but my sympathy is all used up on these dogs.  God will be the judge of this situation and right now it seems like He's on the side of the rescuers and the dogs.

After the passage of Prop B, dogs will be dumped by the hundreds by existing breeders and they will be worth nothing at auction.  Wonder if the decision to get out early is more about the financial benefits...seems a little ironic.  The rescues will have to continue...this is only the beginning!

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The GOOD...Kansas spent the first 2 1/2 years of her life in a puppy mill prior to being rescued by a wonderful group called the Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition (BARC). We adopted her three weeks after her rescue.



The BAD ...Our undercover video exposes dog auctions used by puppy mills. They dump dogs used for breeding they no longer want or to acquire new dogs to replenish their breeding "stock".



The UGLY...not for the faint of heart! Prisoners of Greed:


HUA - Prisoners of Greed from Rebel Interactive on Vimeo.

This says it all.....

PERMISSION GIVEN TO SHARE AND CROSSPOST WE STILL NEED RESCUE AND DONATIONS

Wanted to update those of you who have already stepped up to help us save as many of these Mexico Missouri puppy mill dogs as possible and to ask you to keep this request going. Today is October 17th, 2010 and already we have commitments for 154 of the close to 800 dogs being auctioned off. There are many other rescues who will be attending and stepping up to help as well but we have a long way to go to save them all. The auction is Oct 29th and 30th so we have less then 2 weeks to obtain additional rescue commitments and additional funds to take on this mission.

Since the time of our original plea we have found out that there will be a vet in attendance who can do rabies and provide health certificates so that we can legally transport these dogs across state lines. The auction company tells us that cost will be approx $25 per dog. We are also aware that there will be dogs we can save for as little as $5 but in order to save others the price will be much higher. In order to figure a budget for this we are figuring $50 per dog for the bid and the rabies and health certificate. That being said, the cost based on those figures of the 154 dogs who have commitment will be $7700, hopefully we will have more that average less then that but we won't know until we are there in the thick of it. This does not include any transportation costs, boarding, urgent medical care, supplies such as crates, food, vaccinations, medication, bowls, bedding, leashes, etc.


We need to continue to circulate this in order to get additional rescue commitments as well as additional funds. We have a chip in account set up, you can click here to donate http://sscr.chipin.com/missouri-mill-dog-auction-rescue. If you can reach out to make a rescue commitment please email myself at gliderdance@yahoo.com or my partner Susan Turturice at miskeira@sbcglobal.net.

If you would like to donate supplies or would prefer to mail your donation you can send it to:

SSCR
308 Frederick Lane
Raymore, MO 6408

Together we can save these dogs from continuing on in the cycle of puppy mill and offer then a chance at a real life filled with love and hope. If you have any questions about what we are doing or how fund will be distributed or used please email us. Thank you all so much for what you have done and are continuing to do to save these dogs. They deserve life....

This is the link to the auction site with the details of the auction and the dogs being offered there http://www.swkennelauction.com/index_files/Auction3.htm



This is the link of a recent news story about the efforts of the rescues to save them http://www.examiner.com/pet-rescue-in-wichita/puppy-mill-dogs-go-up-for-auction-missouri-group-seeks-help-to-save-them?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4cbaf6ccb42832f2%2C0

This is additional info on the Shindlers who are the operators of this mill
http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-fox-files-puppy-mill-mexico-071310,0,4501363.story

Susan and Carolyn
Something Special Castaways
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MO499.html
Missouri Moderator-OTRA Transport

(The dogs in these photos are a few of 55 puppy mill survivors confiscated by the State of Missouri on October 9th, and brought to the Marshall Missouri Veterinary Clinic for safe haven until rescue or adoptive home placement could be found. As of today, all but 17 have either been placed with rescue or have been adopted into loving forever homes! If you or anyone you know can help the remaining 17 small breed puppy mill survivors, please call the Marshall Veterinary Clinic as soon as possible at 660-886-2231.

Please help us rescue more of these innocent souls!!!

Where to Begin

I signed up for an internet group related to stopping puppy mills in Wisconsin which led to another group, Auction Dog Rescue. I signed up just wanting to read some of the posts to find out more about the group. I came in right in the middle of a great plan undertaken by rescue groups all over the country who are attempting to "pull" as many dogs as possible from 800+ canines who will be auctioned due to the closing of a puppy mill in Missouri on Oct. 29 and 30. The mill is being voluntarily closed (sort of) by the millers Herman & Bonnie Schindler who are notorious for repeatedly violating the rather loose Missouri regulations.

On November 2, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to vote on Prop B which more strictly regulates commercial breeders. It is hoped these regulations will put more breeders out of business. But, now for the business at hand.

After reading a lot of posts and grappling with the reality that I can't provide a home for a puppy mill dog (I already have two small dogs and 2 foster dogs from HEA), I felt a strong desire to do SOMETHING to help with the rescue that will happen at the end of Oct. I got in touch with a rescuer, Carolyn Hadley,Something Special Castaways, Missouri-OTRA Transport. Carolyn and her partner Susan have been in touch with rescues all around the country and have made arrangements to "pull" about 170 dogs from the auction by bidding on them for other rescues. They are coordinating their transport to new locations for foster, shelter, adoption and rehabilitation. Carolyn has allowed me to "tag" along and has answered my questions about many of the posts on the group. She has also agreed to meet me at the auction and let me chronicle my experience with finding out what happens at a dog auction/rescue.

I will blog about the preparation for the auction and my trip to MO and try to describe the issues and concerns of the rescuers. Missouri has the most puppy mills in the country. Dogs are treated like livestock. Many are bred continuously until they are no longer able to produce. Their puppies are sold on the internet to shipped to unsuspecting buyers who the breeder never even met. The breeding dogs are kept in substandard conditions that are pitiful. Many are sick and in desperate need of regular hygiene such as grooming, bathing and nail clipping. Wire crates cause feet to become cut and splayed. Eyes are lost when poked by sharp objects inside the crates. I hope this blog will inform people about the horrors of puppy mills, but more, I want to inspire with stories of the rescuers, those selfless animal lovers who advocate and help those who can't help themselves. Puppy mills have no place in a modern society.Recent posts have focused on the need for rescues to be able to identify themselves to other rescues so they don't bid against each other for the same dogs. After much discussion about the advisability of being identified as a rescuer, it was agreed that the breeders knew the other breeders so if you weren't one of them, you would be assumed to be a rescue. Most agreed this was something not to be flaunted, but it was decided that a bright green shirt would be used to identify rescue bidders. It was also agreed that if a particular breed rescue was trying to pull all of a certain breed, the other rescues should allow that to happen without interference.

One of the rescuers took the auction catalog (like the kind you see at a household auction, except it describes living creatures), and made a spreadsheet with breeds, gender, age and number available. There are also notations about the possibility of pregnancy in some of the females and the prediction of the next heat showing they would be ready for breeding again soon. Using this spreadsheet allows the rescues to commit to pulling a number of dogs so others will know these are being taken care of. Some breeds are completely covered, but lots of dogs remain in breed categories such as beagle, german shepherd, jap. chin, poms, bichons, chihauhaus, lhasas, havanese, min pins, schnauzers, shih tzus, yorkies, as well as many others. Having this list has been extremely helpful to the posters who are getting commitments from other rescues. They will bid by proxy for these rescues. Once the dogs are pulled, they will be transported to the rescue who committed to them. It is hoped that the rescuers that are not breed specific will be able to pull from all of these breed categories.

I am particularly concerned about the 45 yorkies that remain uncommitted. My little Bubba is a yorkie and I have a soft spot for them (well all dogs really). I am going to need someone to duct tape my arms to my sides and I'll have to sit on my hands. This is going to be heartbreaking if some of these dogs don't get pulled. They are suggesting that the unclaimed dogs will likely be euthanized by such high tech methods as being smashed in the head with a brick or gassed with carbon monoxide. The lucky ones might be treated to a bullet. I can't bear to think about it.

Dogs crossing the state line need to be vaccinated and have a signed health certificate. The auctioneer is providing a vet to do this at the cost of $25/dog. Something Special Castaways, arranged for Help Fido, a non-profit that helps with medical cost, to generously sponsor a rescue package which consists of DHPP, Rabies and Health Certificate. Missouri Licensed vet Dr. Mike O'Brien will be on hand to provide this service both days for $5 per rescued dog. He will most likely have to locate off the auction site as this is another big money maker for the commercial breeders. They want to squeeze out every last dime before releasing these fragile babies. Having a vet in place to provide these services will keep more funds available to pull more dogs. Great work SSCR, Help Fido and Dr. Mike.

What did we do before the advent to social networking? This ceates inroads in connecting these rescuers and their partners, but it's the ingenuity of the rescuers that has created this sophisticated venue for communicating to most effectively help the dogs. Tell your dog to give your computer a kiss before going to bed tonight. Then become a follower of Canine Rescue Heros.

Welcome to Canine Rescue Heroes

For as long as I can remember, I have loved dogs. My first dog Moriah was an Old English Sheepdog who slept on my twin bed. I have had a dog living with me for most of my last 45 years. I currently have a cairn terrier, Gizmo and a yorkie, Bubba. In 2008 I began volunteering for a no-kill shelter, Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary, patterned after Best Friends in Utah. Animals at HEA are guaranteed a home if an adopter can't be found. Some have issues that make them "hard to adopt" but they have a life and it is not taken from them just because they have been abandoned by humans. In fact, the humans who care for the HEA dogs are totally committed to giving them the best life they can provide under the circumstances. They try very hard to find a forever home or make them feel as if they are in one. Those who stay are treated with respect and love...more on HEA later.

I currently have two dogs, Gizmo, a cairn terrier Bubba, a yorkie.



I have had the good fortune to foster two dogs who found homes. Bernie, a pom shown below, was  a possible puppy mill dog who came from a hoarder situation and it took 3+ months to get him to let me touch him.  He now lives happily with a family.
















I also had Benni, a poodle/shih tzu, seen here with Gizmo lounging at the pool. He was recently adopted by a great retired couple who live close by.  He visits often.

Princess is a current resident.  She's an old gal who is completely deaf.  She was surrendered to HEA when her elderly owner went to a nursing home.  She's my first "girlfriend".  I also currently have Shadow, a schnauzer mix, whose picture will be posted soon.

Reggie and Carol are my friends. Reggie comes over daily for social time with all of us while Carol works.





I signed up for an internet group related to stopping puppy mills in Wisconsin which led to another group, Auction Dog Rescue. I signed up just wanting to read some of the posts to find out more about the group. I came in right in the middle of a great plan undertaken by rescue groups all over the country who are attempting to "pull" as many dogs as possible from 800+ canines who will be auctioned due to the closing of a puppy mill in Missouri on Oct. 29 and 30. The mill is being voluntarily closed (sort of) by the millers Herman & Bonnie Schindler who are notorious for repeatedly violating the rather loose Missouri regulations.

On November 2, Missouri voters will have the opportunity to vote on Prop B which more strictly regulates commercial breeders. It is hoped these regulations will put more breeders out of business. But, now for the business at hand.

After reading a lot of posts and grappling with the reality that I can't provide a home for a puppy mill dog (I already have two small dogs and 2 foster dogs from HEA), I felt a strong desire to do SOMETHING to help with the rescue that will happen at the end of Oct. I got in touch with a rescuer, Carolyn Hadley,Something Special Castaways, Missouri-OTRA Transport. Carolyn and her partner Susan have been in touch with rescues all around the country and have made arrangements to "pull" about 170 dogs from the auction by bidding on them for other rescues. They are coordinating their transport to new locations for foster, shelter, adoption and rehabilitation. Carolyn has allowed me to "tag" along and has answered my questions about many of the posts on the group. She has also agreed to meet me at the auction and let me chronicle my experience with finding out what happens at a dog auction/rescue.

I will blog about the preparation for the auction and my trip to MO and try to describe the issues and concerns of the rescuers. Missouri has the most puppy mills in the country. Dogs are treated like livestock. Many are bred continuously until they are no longer able to produce. Their puppies are sold on the internet to shipped to unsuspecting buyers who the breeder never even met. The breeding dogs are kept in substandard conditions that are pitiful. Many are sick and in desperate need of regular hygiene such as grooming, bathing and nail clipping. Wire crates cause feet to become cut and splayed. Eyes are lost when poked by sharp objects inside the crates. I hope this blog will inform people about the horrors of puppy mills, but more, I want to inspire with stories of the rescuers, those selfless animal lovers who advocate and help those who can't help themselves. Puppy mills have no place in a modern society.