Matching Donations for Puppy Mill Rescues

On January 25, 2019, more than 100 animals were found on a puppy mill in Loogootee, Indiana. Local shelters and animal welfare groups worked together to rescue a total of 72 dogs as well as additional horses and donkeys.

Martin County Humane Society, a nonprofit animal shelter, raided the puppy mill with the help of the Martin County Sheriff’s Department. “This is one of the worst things we have ever seen,” said Courtney Hughett, Board Treasurer of Martin County Humane Society.

The filth inside the puppy mill not only covered the walls and cages, but the animals inside. Some of the dog’s fur was so matted by their own waste that they had to be shaved almost down to their bare skin. Horse hoofs were so severely neglected that the animals were unable to walk. Sadly, many of the animals found inside the puppy mill were deceased.

“We have already lost three puppies due to illness and serious birth defects,” said Hughett. Many animals are being treated for parvo, a highly contagious virus often fatal to canines. “We are doing all we can, but it is heart-wrenching work.” Most of the 72 dogs rescued from the puppy mill have been placed with other animal welfare organizations, including Owen County Humane Society, Orange County Humane Society, & Warrick Humane Society. “This puppy mill rescue extends far beyond the reach of our tiny humane society. We need all the help we can get,” said Hughett.

Pets Alive Nonprofit Spay/Neuter Clinic will be providing free spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines to the puppy mill rescues. Pets Alive has fixed more than 137,000 animals since opening in 2005.

“We have an anonymous donor that has stepped forward and is providing a match to spay and neuter all of these animals for free that came in through this puppy mill as they get healthy enough,” said Melissa Lewis, Executive Director of Pets Alive. Please consider donating (all gifts are matched!) to help these tortured and abused animals get adopted. Your impact will be doubled thanks to a generous matching donor.

“The shelters are already operating beyond their maximum capacity. Spay/neuter is an expense these shelters will not be able to afford during this time of crisis,” says Lewis. Pets Alive’s programs ensure that shelters will not be inundated with animals in future years. Since opening 14 years ago, Pets Alive’s efforts have resulted in an 86% decrease in euthanasia at the Bloomington shelter. “Spay and neuter is essential to the health of our community, now more than ever,” said Lewis.