Animals From 'Puppy Mill' Ready For New Homes
im so happy for all the dogs!But the Humane Society cant afford to pay for them all,so theyre having a SPCA walk tomorrow.but were not going:( Wish i would have known about it earlier!
Animals From 'Puppy Mill' Ready For New Homes
Rescue Drained Humane Society's Funds
POSTED: 12:53 pm CST March 18, 2005
UPDATED: 4:58 pm CST March 18, 2005
HOUSTON -- Dozens of dogs rescued from a puppy mill are ready for new homes, while the Houston Humane Society finds itself in need, Local 2 reported Friday.
Humane society officials found nearly 200 animals on Feb. 22 at a Tyler County residence. Officials said the dogs were bred so their puppies could be shipped and sold in pet stores.
After weeks of tender loving care and treatment from veterinarians, many of the animals are ready for permanent homes.
"They were so depressed and sick. Now, it's just like hope in their faces," said Sherry Ferguson, with the Houston Humane Society.
A grand jury indicted Nathan and Brenda Shoemaker on Wednesday. The couple is accused of torturing more than 120 dogs by keeping them in deplorable conditions.
"We couldn't even go in the property without wearing knee-high rubber boots. That's how much dog fecal matter was piled up," said Sgt. Mark Timmers, with Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office.
Most of the dogs had skin, ear and heartworm problems. Treating them put a financial strain on the humane society.
"Our emergency fund is drained," Ferguson said. "It's going to cost us $85,000 to take care of these animals."
"These people were doing this solely for a business. These animals were there to make them money," Timmers said.
K-9 Fun Run/Walk, Radar's Pooch Picnic
The Humane Society is holding a K-9 Fun Run/Walk, and Radar's Pooch Picnic Sunday at noon to raise much-needed funds.
The events will be held at Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St., in downtown Houston.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/4298733/detail.html
For more information, visit www.houstonhumane.org/events.aspx, e-mail [email protected] or call (713) 433-6421.
For information on how to adopt a homeless pet, contact the humane society.
Previous Stories:
February 23, 2005: Puppy Mill Owner Could Face Animal Torture Charges
February 22, 2005: Hundreds Of Dogs Found In Puppy Mill
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