Dogs rescued from puppy mill find shelter in Topeka
Originally published 06:00 p.m., August 1, 2008
Updated 07:55 p.m., August 1, 2008
When the Helping Hands Humane Society got a call asking if they could handle more dogs, director Stacy Hensiek "panicked."
But the shelter found room for 12 dogs because they were being rescued from a rough life. The Kansas Animal Health Department seized 187 dogs from an unlicensed Marshall County retail breeder facility today. The department announced the seizure a week after it took the dogs from a breeder facility owned and operated by John Huninghake, of Frankfort.
"Puppy mills are a horrible place for an animal to grow up in," Hensiek said.
Puppy mills are breeding facilities that produce large numbers of purebred dogs. The animals are often kept in unhealthy conditions.
"The boxers we got were kept in a small kennel with five dogs in one kennel up off the ground with a licker water dish like a hamster bottle to drink out of and one food bowl," Hensiek said.
You can find the hours and location of the Helping Hands Humane Society on its Web site, HHHSTopeka.org
Related story: Lawrence Humane Society provides shelter for dogs in animal cruelty case
Being raised like this is unhealthy both mentally and physically, she said.
Now, although there are only two of them in the cage, the boxers still hide their food so they will have something to eat.
"They're nervous, they're scared. This is a completely new environment," Hensiek said.
Part of the new environment includes adjusting to solid surfaces.
Since the dogs were kept in wire cages above the ground, they don't even know what grass is.
Now, with their rescue, the dogs have a second chance at having a normal life.
"They appeared to be in fairly good health," Hensiek said.
Before being put up for adoption, the dogs will get vaccinations, heartworm testing, and be spayed or neutered.
With a little tender-loving care, Hensiek says these dogs can enjoy the life they deserve.
"They need some patience, but they'll eventually make good pets," Hensiek said. "And, they deserve a new start in life."
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)