120 puppy mill dogs coming to North Shore Animal League

Port Washington's North Shore Animal League expects to receive about 120 dogs rescued from "puppy mill" dog breeding operations.

Devera Lynn, a spokeswoman for the Animal League, said the dogs had been ill treated and neglected. They are being delivered by National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado, an organization that rescued the animals from 14 different puppy mills in Missouri.

The mills "do mass production" to sell to pet shops, Lynn said, with little care or concern for the breeding animals. "They just breed their entire lives," she said. "If they're no longer useful to them anymore because they can no longer breed, unfortunately, they're tossed aside like trash. Generally, they're killed or die there."

The Animal League has had a long relationship with the Colorado rescue organization, she said. Some dog mills will notify the dog rescue that they have animals they are about to dispose of, she said. "It's one of those 'don't ask. don't tell' things,' and the dogs are quietly picked up," Lynn said.

Upon arrival in Port Washington, the dogs will be evaluated medically, behaviorally and socially, and will be spayed or neutered, Lynn said. They will begin to be available for adoption by Saturday.

Most of the rescued dogs are adults, but there are adolescents and puppies as well. They range in age from about 8 months to 10 years, she said. The breeds include Yorkshire terriers, King Charles cavalier spaniels, poodles, bichon frises, cocker spaniels, and Pomeranians.

Adoption fees generally range from about $150 to $225, Lynn said.