Puppy mill survivors prepare for new homes
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Back in June, three shipments of puppies from a puppy mill in Seoul arrived at LAX and were confiscated by the L.A. County public health department. The seizure prompted officials to form a multiagency animal-cargo task force to study the conditions of animals being shipped here from overseas. Ed Boks, general manager of the L.A. Department of Animal Services, explains in his blog:
The Task Force, led by LA Animal Services, LA County Public Health, and the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority, also included the Los Angeles World Airports, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Transportation Security Administration, and several local animal control agencies including the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley, Inland Valley Humane Society, Long Beach Animal Control, Santa Ana Animal Control, Orange County Animal Care Services, Pasadena Humane Society, Riverside Animal Services, and SPCA-LA. The findings of the Task Force demonstrated the fact that puppy mills are not a U.S. problem alone. Overseas commercial mass dog-breeding facilities -- that put profit above the welfare of dogs -- are attempting to flood the U.S. market.
Only 10 of the puppies survived -- five Yorkshire terriers and five Maltese -- and they’re now under the care of staff at the East Valley animal shelter. (They’ll be available for adoption Dec. 20.)
Can’t get enough of these adorable guys? Check out this photo gallery for more photos and information.
--Lindsay Barnett