Denver (February 11, 2009)

The American Humane Association was invited by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to provide emergency sheltering for more than 250 dogs seized today in a raid of a suspected puppy mill in White County, Tenn.

American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ team is staffing the emergency shelter located near the puppy mill site, providing care and feeding of the animals while the area is under severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. The ASPCA, which is managing operations for the White County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation, stated, “The dogs are small breeds under 20 pounds and include Boston and Jack Russell terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, poodles, miniature Pinschers and Schnauzers.” The organization described the dogs as generally being in poor condition, suffering from lack of food and water, as well as a variety of medical conditions.

Several American Humane animal emergency services team members were on-site during the raid, while others prepared and staffed the emergency shelter to accommodate the seized dogs. The Nashville Humane Association is also assisting in the operations.

“The mass breeding of animals in puppy mills causes tragic suffering for the animals that are trapped in those inhumane situations, and it adds to the already critical problem of pet overpopulation,” said American Humane’s Animal Protection Division vice president, Debrah Schnackenberg. “We are glad that local authorities have taken action in this case, and we urge the authorities in other communities to move swiftly and take similar action whenever evidence of puppy mills is brought to their attention.”

The conditions in which these dogs were living, and the maladies from which they are suffering, are typical of puppy mills — large-scale breeding operations where animals often live in filthy conditions that foster disease, and frequently suffer from the absence of veterinary care. Adult dogs are bred excessively and often spend their entire lives in small runs or cages. For the puppies, neglect of emotional needs due to lack of socialization, isolation and the trauma of transportation at an early age is a serious problem. In addition, ignorance or indifference to good breeding practices often results in dogs with genetic problems.

American Humane seeks to eliminate puppy mills through enforcement of current laws and regulations, enactment of legislation, and public education to eliminate the market for such animals.

For more information on American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services efforts, please visit www.americanhumane.org/redstar.