Puppy Farm Rescue
There is a frightening increase in the number of Puppy Farms cropping up around Australia, particularly in country areas where they may go somewhat unnoticed by the general public.
These 'farms' (known as 'Mills' in the US and UK), usually keep large numbers of adult dogs (mostly bitches of breeding age) for the purpose of producing puppies to the pet market.
Some sell privately, usually meeting you somewhere other than the actual property where the dogs are kept. (often because they are kept in squalid, overcrowded conditions).
Some supply large numbers of puppies to overseas 'Puppy Brokers' so they never know exactly where their pups end up, as long as they have been paid, they don't care.
And some supply Petshops throughout Australia.
Profit is the only reason these people breed so quality of breeding stock or the pups produced is a low priority and no health tests are done. When a bitch or dog is no longer able to breed due to age or ill health, they are usually killed by the 'farmer' or their hired help. Rarely are they humanely euthanased by injection.
Cordelia's Canine Rescue is joining the fight to stop these Puppy Farms whenever possible and the way we are helping is to take in dogs who have been used by these people and treated as 'stock'.
We were recently involved in the rescue of 16 dogs from a Puppy Farm in Ballerat which, due to the untiring efforts of ALV and Deborah, was closed down several months ago. The round trip took myself and a friend 26hrs to complete and has taken another week, with the help of several other friends from the Canine Community to wash, clip, and generally clean up these poor animals.
ALL OF THESE LOVELY DOGS HAVE NOW BEEN ADOPTED.
TO SEE UPDATES AND PHOTOS, PLEASE GO TO THE "HAPPY EVER AFTER" PAGE.
We collected:
3 female Shelties
1 female Sheltie x
2 male West Highland White Terriers
2 female West Highland White Terriers
1 male Schnauzer
1 male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
1 female Cavalier x Poodle
2 male Cocker Spaniels
1 female Beagle
The dogs had NEVER seen a bath, let alone been in one so it was all a bit of a shock for them as the years of filth was washed from their coats. Some have needed a complete shave down due to matts that couldn't be cut out and some just needed a bath (or several).
Please read individual profiles carefully. None of these dogs are used to small children nor are they used to living in a home environment. They have lived in isolated kennels and busy, boistrous homes with a lot of activity and noise will not be suitable.
Now let me introduce the dogs.... availability for Adoption will be noted in their profile:
BEFORE AND AFTER PICS (ie: after grooming)
"ELLIE MAY" Sheltie x (Pom) - ADOPTED
Ellie May is a Sheltie x (Pomeranian) and is approx 14mths old. She is affectionate, playful and cheeky and loves everyone! May be too excitable around small children but she loves older kids (over 10yrs).
"CHARLOTTE" Purebred Sheltie - ADOPTED.
Charlotte is the Matriach of the Shelties and is approx 5yrs old. She is shy and very quiet and needs a home where there are no children as they would frighten her. She loves being brushed, and with time and patience, will get used to other aspects of grooming like bathing and blowdrying. She has not been handled much in the past so her adoptive parents would need to understand that it will take time for her to get used to this. She has never lived on her own so needs the company of another dog.
"EMILY" Purebred Sheltie - ADOPTED
Emily is slowly coming out of her shell. She is approx 3yrs old and sadly, we couldn't save her matted coat. She's a bit on the chubby side so with her new jumper and some extra body fat, she's nice and warm. She too is shy but she does want to be friends with people and she tries hard to be brave and approach for pats but doesn't always have the confidence. Once being cuddled, she happily accepts it.
Emily and Bronte are best friends and I would love for them to be placed together if possible. (though this is not essential).
"BRONTE" Purebred Sheltie - ADOPTED
Bronte is approx 3yrs old and although it takes her a little while to approach new people, her confidence is growing everyday. Once she trusts you, the above pic is typical of her..... she's a 'leaner'. She'll also follow very closely and sit between your feet if you stop moving for more than 10 seconds. hehe Emily and Bronte are best friends and I'd like them placed together if possible. (though this is not essential).
"NOODLE" Cavalier x Poodle - ADOPTED
Noddle is a Cavalier x Poodle (otherwise known by the ridiculous designer name of a "Cavoodle" so that 'farmers' can falsely claim that they are a 'breed' in their own right. They are simply, a crossbreed). Approx 18mths old. Noodle is a gorgeous girl with a lovely temperament. Again, she is not used to be handled but so desperately wants to be friends with people. With time and patience, she'll grow in confidence. Small children will frighten her but older (over 10yrs), quiet children would be ok for her.
She is learning how to play and has just started to chase a ball and thinks she's quite the smarty pants!
"UNCLE BULGARIA" Purebred West Highland White Terrier - ADOPTED!
Uncle Bulgaria is approx 4yrs old. Due to the isolation he has suffered in the puppy farm (males were kept in a pen on their own unless they were being used for matings), he is quite frightened of people and is not used to being touched at all. He will stiffen up if carried, but will slowly relax while his ears are being scratched. He needs a very understanding and patient person who will ease him into the 'outside' world very slowly. He has had no contact with children and they would terrify him.
UPDATE: 3/11/05
Uncle B has very slowly started to come out his shell. He will now run past me in order to go somewhere instead of waiting until I leave the area. He has finally stopped running away from me when it's time for his massages. Now he just flattens himself to the ground and 'hopes' I don't pick him up (so I always do :-) )
He will now play with the other dogs while I am watching, instead of going to hide somewhere. Again... all because he was shut up in a cage all day, everyday, all by himself.
"WELLINGTON" Purebred West Highland White Terrier - ADOPTED
Wellington is sweetheart once he trusts you. He is approx 18mths old. He is affectionate, playful and a bit cheeky when he's feeling comfortable. It will take some time and patience, but he'll come around quickly. He is dominant around other dogs and would be better suited to being an only dog at this time.
"MISS ADELAIDE" Purebred West Highland White Terrier - ADOPTED!
Firstly.... I apologise to all the Westie folk out there for her haircut. Her coat couldn't be saved sadly. Poor little Adelaide is a very frightened little girl. She is approx 2 and half years old and hasn't been handled much at all so she is reluctant to be touched and at the moment, is doing her best to avoid people.
She needs a very patient, calm and gentle owner who will gradually help her build up her confidence and trust in us humans. No kids at all.
UPDATE: 3/11/05
Adelaide will be going into foster care with an experienced Westie "mum" in the hope that she will come out of her shell a little more in a home environment. Poor girl, whilst she accepts me being around her now, she still becomes almost catatonic when touched and will still avoid humans at all cost.
She will never be a 'normal' dog due to the complete lack of socialisation and handling as a young pup that is so typical in Puppy Farms. She will however, very slowly become used to living in a quiet, non threatening environment and I'm hoping that she will one day learn to trust just a little bit.
"NESSIE" Westie x - ADOPTED.
Nessie is approx 18mths and is just GORGEOUS! She is starting to become playful and her confidence is growing every day. She loves to give quick, sneaky kisses then runs off, then comes back and does it again and she is staying around just that bit longer every time. She will settle well in a new home where there are no small children and as long as her new owners are patient with her, she will continue to come out of her shell.
"LIBBY" Purebred Beagle - ADOPTED!
Libby is approx 6yrs old. new pic coming soon) She is a lovely natured, affectionate girl although she is very dominant with other dogs (bitches in particular).
She is friendly and confident around people and very affectionate.
It turns out that Libby was having a Phantom Pregnancy. She thankfully, will not be having pups again.
"ABRAHAM" Purebred Cocker Spaniel - ADOPTED
Lovely young boy, approx 12mths old. He is shy but desperately wants to be friends with people but he is worried by children and their fast, unpredictable movements and noise. He is only young and his confidence will increase over time with gentle work and consistency.
He is used to being with another male and would fret without canine company.
"MOSES" Purebred Cocker Spaniel - ADOPTED
Approx 2yrs old, he is still figuring out that us humans aren't too bad but it will still take some time for him to grow in confidence. He needs the company of another dog too.
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