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MILL DOG RESCUE NETWORK


On May 10th, CastOffCockers, and over 25 other local rescue groups, joined with Mill Dog Rescue Network    (www.milldogrescue.org) to save 121 dogs from the horrific puppy mills of the midwest. We are so proud to have participated in this rescue effort. We took 29 of the dogs who were slated either for  continued life of misery in a tiny wire cage or for brutal deaths as "excess inventory". These dogs will slowly become available for adoption, since they are still learning how to be dogs outside of a cage, and they will need very special homes full of patience and love .... but they will be well worth the effort.
 

 
Here is an account of the evening, written by one of the volunteers who participated .....and in the spirit of this rescue effort, we urge you never to adopt from a boutique or mall puppy store...for they come from, and support, absolute misery and suffering and death of those left behind! This account is reprinted with permission from Benji's Buddies, another wonderful rescue group who rescued 14 of the desperate doggies.
 

"Saturday night was one of the most wonderful, heart wrenching, things I have ever been involved with. I am still tearing up when I think of it. It was so very hard….but so rewarding. Everyone was struck by the emotions that overcame them. I am so touched by this experience. We waited all day for the truck to arrive since it had vehicle problems, snow in the mountains from Colorado, rain in the Midwest from the storms up near Missouri and so forth. We had all worked so hard for this night. 25 groups wound up being involved. 100 people waited in this doggie day care facility with 3000 sq feet filled with puppy pens, vet stations, groomers ready at the waiting. There were 6 vets,10 vet techs, donated medicines and vaccinations, everything we needed. People all assigned to duties to get the ball rolling for 121 little lost souls. The pens were filled with food, water, treats, toys and soft blankets and pillows. The media were there as well to document this touching event.

Finally, someone yelled out, “they’re here”. We had been asked to keep it quiet. They would be tired, traumatized, sick and in desperate shape, most of all frightened. The only crowd of people they had ever seen in their lives outside their tiny cages in windowless buildings were at auction blocks of other breeders. They were filthy, stinky…and pathetic. The large bay doors were pulled open. 100 people gathered round and watched as 10 or so volunteers carefully lifted out the carriers one by one and placed them on the floor. No one said a word. We had waited so long for these precious souls. Many had eyes filled with tears. Then, some volunteers opened the first few crates and almost reverently coaxed the little beings out of their tiny cages. They peeked out, but were so afraid. As each one was lifted out of their confines, they were swooped up in a loving embrace of a volunteer and brought to the pens with food and water. Volunteers reluctantly let go of them to go and get another. Then more began to take them out and the business of rescue work began.

I cannot tell you how much love there was in that room….more than I have ever felt in one room in my life. It was absolute and unconditional. Grown men and women, their eyes filled with tears, busily got to work. These pathetic creatures had more movement in their puppy pens than in their whole lives. Some ate and went to sleep…others just huddled in a corner…others looked to the gentle hands that reached out to them and responded. They “got it”.

They were watered and fed. As soon as that had taken place for all 121, the intake process began. Each volunteer took a dog through the whole process. From initial paperwork to the vet stations where 6 vets generously donated their time, expertise, equipment, medications, vaccinations, everything….to triage these dogs. One was brought to the emergency clinic, a little miniature pinscher…12 years old, pregnant and a large hematoma on her throat. She has survived. Another little min pin, old as well, bred until she had no more to give, died in the arms of a volunteer in a quiet corner….with others sitting nearby to comfort the dog and the grieving volunteer. So close to freedom only to die. It was pathetically sad.

Then, they were vaccinated, prescribed medication after a full exam, groomed and bathed, photographed, then into the other room for final disposition with the rescue groups designated to take them. It took about 10 hours even with all those people. Organized chaos. And while many tears were shed as we learned of the 30 that were supposed to come and the puppy mills opted to kill rather than to give them to rescue, we had to concentrate on the 121 there. It is a drop in the bucket of the thousands left behind…but these 121 are in loving foster homes now and learning what life is like outside of a tiny metal cage.

We took 14, two of which were severely crippled. But that didn't stop them from being bred. One was the last little dog that no other group took, a Shiba Inu (on the website listed as Jimmy). He sat on the floor alone as all the others were gone. He is hobbled from spending 5 years in a cage too small for him. He is currently running around his foster's yard, as best he can, so happy and free. He, and our other dear little rescues, will gradually be available for adoption on our website....when they are feeling more confident and comfortable with their newly found freedom. Right now, they follow their fosters around the house, never losing sight of them, for fear their good fortune might disappear. They will be more needy than most normal dogs, but the rewards of showing these precious angels the outside world for the first time will be wonderful!

One foster took her little fosters home at 3:30 am, when the whole rescue event was finally over, and was up until 5:30 in the morning out in the yard with them, giving their first taste of freedom and grass and love.

There are just no words to describe the overwhelming emotion of being there in person. It was wonderful….but I am still filled with tears at the thought of what they have lived through. Such heartless cruelty...for profit.

And on the other end of their journey, such absolute love."

These dogs were purebreds of every kind, from Great Danes and Golden Retrievers to Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds. Each one of them were pathetic examples of life in a puppy mill. If you can spread the word never to purchase a purebred puppy from such places, we can kill this business. We can eliminate this cruelty and truly make a difference! And while Benji's Buddies welcomes every donation made to us, we encourage you to also go visit this website and read about the issue and contribute to Mill Dog Rescue Network as well. They are such a wonderful organization rescuing the most desperate of dogs who huddle in the dark corners of tiny cages their whole lives long, suffering in silence, waiting for a rescue that rarely comes. We are so honored to have been a part of this rescue effort involving so many in the Phoenix rescue community. We hope to do this again soon. Meanwhile, please help in any way you can! Go to www.milldogrescue.org .... and  spread the word!

 



 We are planning another rummage sale soon. We can use any furniture, clothing, electronics, tools, toys, etc. Email us if you can donate any items.

News... We are currently needing volunteers to do home visits prior to adoptions. If you are interested we will be happy to train you on what to look for. Email us for more info.


Health Watch: Please note all the following:
(1) There are two distinct Parvo seasons in AZ; spring into summer and summer into fall. Please be sure your dogs are protected against this killer disease, especially if you take your pal to public doggy parks.

(2) We are number one in the nation for new cases of West Nile Virus; this should tell you how many dang mosquitoes we have here. It only takes one bite from one infected mosquito to give you pal heart worms. Please have your pal heartworm tested (it's cheap) and give your dogs their monthly heartworm preventative religiously. We prefer Heartgard; we advise against the multi-month injectable.

(3) MONSOON season means only one thing to doggie folks: VALLEY FEVER! All that wind and dust and moisture kick spores up into the air; once inhaled, each spore blossoms into a hellacious fungal infection. Although there is no cure, early treatment is key . Please get your dog tested twice each year; in September and in March (after the monsoons). Twice yearly testing's a lot cheaper than treating a rip-roaring case of VF. Thank you!

Adopting a friend
Our mission is to be sure that the dogs in our care are never homeless again. Therefore, we exert our best efforts to ensure a perfect match between the dog and the applicants. Home visits are done whenever possible and will be arranged after a completed application has been approved by our adoption committee.

In some cases, the dog will accompany our home inspection team to meet the applicant. We honor any clearly expressed preference the dog may show for one family over another, all other things being equal. If all goes well, an adoption may be awarded at the time of the introduction.

Generally, we do not adopt to families with children under the age of 10, for the sake of all concerned. Exceptions may be made, depending on our knowledge of the dog.

We all work full time so please be patient and allow us at least 24-48 hours to reply to your email. We're usually quicker, but need your understanding if we can't be.

There is a nonrefundable adoption donation upon adoption of $325 cash for adults and seniors and $425 cash for puppies 13 months and younger. This helps to offset expenses, and represents a substantial savings to you over what you would pay for a dog from either a pet shop or breeder PLUS their vaccines, spay / neuter surgery, vet exams, microchip, socialization and training.

We prefer to make instate adoptions and much prefer Maricopa County; however, we have, when it was the most perfect match, adopted some of our most beloved rescued doggies to folks residing in more distant AZ counties.

We will never ship a dog anywhere, so please don't even ask us.

We regret that we cannot "hold" dogs for you; once your application is submitted, please be prepared to meet and adopt the dog quickly; other homeless dogs, who might otherwise be euthanized, are waiting for rescue space. We thank you immensely for your understanding.

About Fostering


If you are interested in fostering, please know that we provide all the supplies your foster furkid will need; premium food, bed, toys, crates, harnesses, leashes, training, bowls, medications, grooming, vet care, and so on. All that's needed is your safe and loving home, a fenced back yard, occasional transportation to and from appointments, and participation on your foster kid's adoption committee; after all, you'll know your foster doggie better than the rest of us!


SPECIFIC DONATION REQUESTS:

(1) We are still in great need of a truck or van, preferably an older model in safe working condition for transporting dogs and delivering large kennels and large bags of feed to foster homes. We can provide a tax receipt for this item.

(2) We need cyclone fencing materials to create safer dog runs and yards -- used fencing and posts will be much appreciated and well-used.

SAME OLD: Since we are still operating in the red, due to some major surgery expenses for several of our doggies, we're planning another Rescue Rummage Sale again soon. We can use any furniture, clothing, electronics, tools, toys, etc. Email us if you can donate any items. We will be happy to pick up if needed.

 Some donated items are just too nice for a rummage sale, so we've begun private on-line auctions and are investigating the possibility of using live auction houses for our more valuable donated items. If you have any ideas or suggestions or if you have items to donate too valuable for regular rummage sales, please email us.

 

 

CastOffCockers
Gilbert, AZ 85234

Email: info@castoffcockers.org

 
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