By seven years of age, Lily was worn out. Commonplace in the industry, she had received little to no veterinary care throughout her life, the result of which, for her, was terribly disturbing. Due to years of no dental care, poor quality food, rabbit bottle watering and no appropriate chew toys, the roof of Lily’s mouth and lower jaw, had rotted away. Her chest was riddled with mammary tumors and she was absolutely terrified of people. Strader brought Lily and twelve others home from the auction and declares that even for a highly seasoned rescuer, the following months were the education of a lifetime in rehabilitation. That she would take up the cause for the mill dogs was never in question and National Mill Dog Rescue was promptly underway. In five short years, NMDR has amassed over 1,300 volunteers and has rescued over 6,300 puppy ational Mill Dog Rescue rescues, mill survivors. rehabilitates and re-homes retired commercial breeding dogs from Run almost solely by volunteers, NMDR has puppy mills. NMDR gives these pledged to put an end to the cruelty of the puppy dogs a new beginning and a final mill industry. Through widespread informative chance to find happiness and comfort in a loving home. efforts, NMDR hopes to educate the public to acquire their companion animals through reputable breeders or better yet, from shelters and rescue groups across the country.
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MISSION STATEMENT:
To rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded breeding After her rescue, Lily spent the remainder of her dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel life as a beloved member of the Strader family realities of the commercial dog breeding industry. where she received medical care, warmth and companionship. In time, Lily found courage and National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February her disfigured little body educated countless 2007, in honor of a forgiving little Italian Greyhound people about the horrors of the puppy mill named Lily. Theresa Strader, NMDR’s Founder and industry. Lily died peacefully in the arms of her Executive Director, rescued Lily from a dog auction loving family in May 2008, fifteen months after in Missouri. Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first she was rescued. seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom. Determined that her years of living in misery would not be in vain, Strader started NMDR, giving a voice to mill dogs across the country. During her years as a breeding dog, Lily spent all of her days confined to a small, cold wire cage in a dark, foul-smelling barn. Never was she removed from her cage for exercise or socialization. In her dreary confines, Lily was forced to produce one litter after another with no respite. Like all commercial breeding dogs, she was a veritable breeding machine whose worth was measured in only one way - her ability to produce puppies.
National Mill Dog Rescue Theresa Strader Founder and Executive Director
www.milldogrescue.org/ www.facebook.com/NationalMillDogRescue
September - November 2013
Florida Creative Living | For All Ages!
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