Puppy Mill Rescue

Thanks to our ongoing partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, now 50 dogs and puppies have a second chance at life after being saved from commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Witnessing this mission firsthand was Animal League America staff member and designer David Haliski. Usually capturing photographs of transport arrivals to our Port Washington, NY campus, this time David traveled with rescue team members Ted Moriates and Karla Agostinello on the Mobile Unit to Missouri and back.

Saved as part of a National Mill Dog Rescue mission that included 50 small breed dogs, young Tillie had already proven herself to be a survivor. Life in a commercial breeding facility, like the one Tillie was rescued from, typically means inhumane conditions where dogs are treated solely as commodities. We were thankful to have this sweet Silky Terrier girl in our care, and shortly realized her condition was more complex. Though barely a year old herself, Tilly was pregnant. Given her young age and diminutive size, we knew that it was possible she could struggle with delivery.

As the temperatures dipped into single digits, our dedicated volunteers awaited the arrival of 50 small breed dogs — including Yorkies, Maltese, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers and Corgis — who were rescued from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest.

In partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, the Animal League America Mobile Rescue Unit traveled to the Midwest to save 57 small breed dogs and puppies who had been living in deplorable conditions. The commercial breeding facility that had been their home was being shut down by government authorities.

The lifesaving work of North Shore Animal League America does not rest. Just weeks from rescuing 40 dogs from commercial breeders in the Midwest, our Rescue Team made another trip westward and returned with more than 50 dogs and puppies from Kansas-area breeding facilities.

To meet Mildred, you must be ready to receive her hugs and kisses. Despite her difficult start to life — struggling with hypothyroidism which was left untreated — this six-year-old pug is incredibly affectionate and welcomes everyone enthusiastically.

Forty resilient dogs and puppies — representing a wide array of small breeds — arrived to North Shore Animal League America ready for a fresh start. Rescued in collaboration with long-time partner, National Mill Dog Rescue, these endearing animals came from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Colorado area, where their lives were at risk.

Finally safe and sound, a striking array of dogs and puppies descended the steps of the Animal League America Mobile Rescue Unit on Sunday, November 14, 2021, into the welcoming arms of our volunteers. In all, 48 incredible animals – no longer unwanted – arrived to have their lives transformed.

After ten-year-old Phoenix was rescued from a puppy mill, he wasn’t ready for his journey to be over. Though his frail body gave out from cardiac arrest within minutes after arriving to our campus, miraculously this little Maltese sputtered back to life in our Pet Health Center, earning him the nickname Phoenix.

48 dogs and two puppies rescued from commercial breeders in the Midwest arrived to our Port Washington, NY campus. As one-by-one, a variety of dogs — including many Poodles, Pomeranians, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Yorkies — made their way into the gentle hands of our volunteers to be carried inside, you could see a common feature in all their faces. They were ready to accept a tender touch. Whether shy, or confidently seeking attention, it was clear each dog was grateful for the kindness and compassion we were there to give.