Puppy Mill Rescue

Throughout 2024, our rescue team worked tirelessly alongside our partner, National Mill Dog Rescue, to save the lives of hundreds of dogs and puppies from commercial breeding facilities. Animal League America’s Senior Rescue Manager Karla Scaramuzzo explained, “We’ve been doing more commercial breeding rescue transports than usual this past year. With less people buying pets, commercial breeders have been left with a surplus of animals whose lives are at risk.”

In collaboration with National Mill Dog Rescue, North Shore Animal League America saved 53 small breed dogs from the inhumane conditions of commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. The rainy morning of their arrival did not dampen the spirits of all the volunteers, who were enthusiastically waiting to greet the survivors. These resilient canines – including Shih Tzus, Cavapoos, mini Australian Shepherds, Labradoodles, French Bulldogs, Maltese and Havanese – were carried off our Mobile Rescue Unit and into the safety of our Port Washington adoption center to start their new life.

On a crisp spring morning, the North Shore Animal League America’s Mobile Rescue Unit arrived carrying 43 dogs and puppies saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest. The canines, mostly seniors, were subjected to lives of neglect and hardship, but now have a second chance to experience love and kindness.

Fifty-one dogs and puppies saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest arrived at North Shore Animal League America, thanks to our partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue. It was a journey from fear and neglect to hope and healing. Many of the rescued dogs spent their past lives confined; never experienced a gentle touch or soft grass beneath their paws. Now they have a second chance for a better future.

North Shore Animal League America embarked on a lifesaving mission in collaboration with partner National Mill Dog Rescue; driving our Mobile Rescue Unit to Missouri to pick up 26 small breed dogs who were saved from Midwest commercial breeding facilities. The dogs traveling to our Port Washington, NY campus included breeds such as Maltese, Dachshunds, Labradoodles, Pomeranians and Shih Tzus. What set this rescue apart was the higher number of puppies and younger canines compared to previous commercial breeding rescues.

North Shore Animal League America completed another collaborative rescue mission this October with partner National Mill Dog Rescue, saving 47 dogs and puppies from commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Encompassing a variety of primarily small breeds from poodles to corgis, the canines arrived at our Port Washington campus in dire need of extensive care after lives spent in cramped cages, devoid of nurturing.

Despite days of challenging weather, our Rescue Team persevered to reach the more than 50 dogs saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest. Working in partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, they transported dogs and puppies – including Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Spaniels, Yorkies, Poodles and Shepherd mixes – via our Mobile Rescue Unit to the safety of our Port Washington, NY campus. These precious canines, who were cruelly cast aside and at risk of being euthanized, are now getting a new beginning and the care they deserve.

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.