They arrived timid and trembling, unsure what kindness felt like. Fifty-eight dogs — mostly small breeds including poodles, papillons, dachshunds and pomeranians — were rescued from commercial breeding facilities thanks to our ongoing partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR).
Since 2017, North Shore Animal League America has worked with NMDR to save dogs who have known little beyond confinement and neglect. Using our Mobile Rescue Units, we transport them to safety and begin the process of giving them the lives they always deserved. Many arrive with overgrown coats, untreated medical issues, and a deep uncertainty about the world around them. But here, that cycle ends.
Each dog receives a full medical exam from our veterinary team, along with vaccinations, grooming, and nutritious meals. They’re given soft beds, warm blankets, and the patience needed to heal, both physically and emotionally. Our team of behavioral specialists gently begin the process of socialization.
“These rescues are some of the most rewarding we do, because these animals really need our help,” said Ted Moriates, Animal League America Rescue Team Leader. “In the beginning, they’re a little shut down, but by the time we get here, they’re starting to trust. They’ve literally been through the mill and are ready to be loved, even if they’re not quite sure how yet. In a week when I come back, they greet me enthusiastically. It’s amazing to see them open up.”
Among them is Teddy, a 10-month-old Wire Fox Terrier with an injured hind leg; an imperfection that might have cost him his life. Instead, Teddy now has a second chance, and soon, a family of his own. Each and every transport we do reminds us why we remain committed to our no-kill mission, and to turning heartbreak into hope, one rescue at a time.
