GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Hundreds of dogs are on their way across the country after authorities helped shut down a puppy mill in the Midwest — a large amount of which will be coming to Grand Rapids.
Due to the sensitivity of this dog rescue, the Bissell Pet Foundation, who is helping relocate these animals, won't disclose exactly where the puppy mill was. All dogs are being cared for in Missouri.
Eighty of these 225 dogs will be flying into Grand Rapids on Friday, the others will be flown to shelters in Wisconsin, New York and Connecticut.
Half of the dogs being relocated were rescued from a puppy mill and surrendered by a commercial breeder.
Brittany Schlacter with the Bissell Pet Foundation said these dogs did not have the best care before being rescued.
"Puppy mill dogs are typically animals that have been neglected, they come from overcrowded situations where they don't get a lot of human or either other dogs socialization," said Schlacter.
While they may look healthy on the outside, Schlacter adds, many of them haven't received basic treatment.
"These dogs have never been seen by a vet before so many of them have, you know, a variety of medical issues such as dental disease," said Schlacter. "They're not looking in the best of shape. That being said, they're safe now."
As this is a large scale operation, the Bissell Pet Foundation and the National Mill Dog Rescue are accepting donations. Click here to learn more on how you can help.
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