ASPCA Places Kentucky Puppy Mill Dogs for Adoption in Louisville and Beyond

Louisville, Ky.—The ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) announced today that dogs seized last month from a substandard breeding facility called Dream Catcher Kennels in Nancy, Ky. will be transferred to Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) and Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) in Columbus, Ohio, to be made available for adoption.

Over the past three weeks, the dogs have been housed in a temporary shelter at KHS where they received medical attention. Additionally, ASPCA behaviorists provided behavioral enrichment and socialization to reduce stress and improve mental health. KHS has supported the ASPCA with the removal of the animals as well as the medical triage, behavioral assistance and sheltering operation.

“Today is a turning point for these dogs as they move towards life in a home with owners who treat them as companions,” said Jessica Rushin, partnerships manager for ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR). “We are grateful for having response partners such as the KHS and CAHS to enable us to do this lifesaving work and help find homes for these victims of cruelty.”

KHS will take in 27 dogs as well as two cats from the case. “After the animals have been spayed or neutered, they will be made available for adoption at our Main Campus,” said KHS President and CEO Lori Redmon. “Some will be ready for adoption as early as this weekend.”

The KHS Main Campus is located at 241 Steedly Drive in south Louisville. Those interested in adopting from KHS should visit www.kyhumane.org for more information on the adoption process.

Six dogs that need behavioral rehabilitation for extreme fear and under-socialization will be transported via KHS to the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Madison, N.J., where animal behavior experts will provide treatment to improve their well-being and help them become suitable for adoption. The remaining dogs will be transported to CAHS in Columbus, Ohio to be made available for adoption and those interested in adopting should visit www.cahs-pets.org in the next coming weeks.

The ASPCA FIR team assisted in the removal, transport, sheltering and medical treatment of more than 40 dogs from Dream Catcher Kennels at the request of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Pulaski County Attorney's Office. Dennis Bradley, the owner and operator of Dream Catcher Kennels, has pled guilty to animal cruelty in the second degree. Mr. Bradley will face six months in jail probated for a term of 24 months. He will not be allowed to operate a kennel or breeding operation for the duration of his probation.

The ASPCA FIR team has rescued countless dogs from puppy mills across the nation. Furthermore, the ASPCA’s Government Relations department has been active in promoting legislation at both the state and federal levels to strengthen regulations and raise minimum standards of care for dogs in puppy mills. Kentucky is one of only 20 states without any regulations in place to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities. Additionally, the ASPCA launched a national “No Pet Store Puppies” campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about the connection between puppy mills and pet stores and end the demand for puppy mill dogs. For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, visit www.nopetstorepuppies.com.