Dogs Rescued From Michigan Puppy Mill Now Available for Adoption at Roscommon County Animal Shelter

Prudenville, Mich.—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today announced that the more than 50 dogs seized from a puppy mill in Mio, Mich. are now available for adoption at the Roscommon County Animal Shelter. The dogs were rescued by the ASPCA and Oscoda County Sheriff’s Department last December following complaints of abuse and neglect at the facility. The owners of the puppy mill plead guilty to animal cruelty charges last Monday.

Over the past two months, the dogs have been receiving medical treatment and behavioral assessments to prepare them for adoption. The dogs range in age from a few months to 10 years, and span a variety of breeds, including Schnauzers and Bull Dogs.

“We’re thrilled to finally get these dogs into homes,” said Terry MacKillop, director of Roscommon County Animal Shelter. “We ask that those interested in adopting have an open mind. Most of the dogs are not puppies, but the parents who were used for breeding and kept at the mill for years. They’ve suffered a great deal and are ready to finally be pets”.

“Today marks a new beginning for these dogs,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of the ASPCA Field Investigations & Response team. “While these dogs are getting a happy ending, we can’t ignore the fact that there are so many other dogs still suffering in puppy mills across Michigan. This is one of the few states with no regulations to protect dogs in breeding facilities. We need lawmakers to take action.”

Those interested in adoption should call the Roscommon County Animal shelter at (989) 366-0260. All interested adopters will be asked to fill out an adoption application before coming to the shelter. Once applications are reviewed, the shelter will contact applicants to schedule appointments to discuss their home environments as well as their capability to care for the animal, particularly if it has special needs.

Michigan is among a minority of states where puppy mills are unregulated. The ASPCA urges state lawmakers to pass H.4898, a bill that would require large-scale dog breeders to register with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and to follow guidelines that would help ensure the humane treatment of dogs in these facilities. For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade at www.aspca.org.

In 2013, the ASPCA assisted the Missaukee County Sheriff's Office with the seizure of more than 150 dogs from a puppy mill in Lake City, Mich. Over the past six years, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team has rescued thousands of dogs from puppy mills across the nation. The ASPCA’s Government Relations department has also been very active on this issue, promoting legislation at both the state and federal levels to strengthen regulations and raise minimum standards of care for dogs in puppy mills.