BY Debbie Lynch
O
ver one hundred Keeshonds in what HSUS calls one of 100 worst puppy mills in the United States. There is now no division between the show world and the rescue world. Everyone has donated time, money and effort to help these dogs. They have been transported in vans and motor homes that held some of the top show dogs in the country the previous weekend. The fund raising effort has been ongoing and worldwide. Dees Wingfield, who has led the rescue effort says, “The Keeshond community will not and cannot stop until the dogs are free.” Every stone has been turned, every government authority has been contacted. What they find acceptable leaves those who care about dogs and their health appalled. What is left with is an appeal to the dog world to help us get the word out to Governor Cuomo and the State of New York. They have some laws that are not being enforced. Please read this story and sign the petition, write to the Governor and reprint our story in your publication and ask your readers to sign the petition. There were only two puppy mills closed in New York last year and they were the result of public outcry from the dog loving community. The story began in the fall of 2013 when Keeshond Rescue groups became aware of over one hundred Kees in a puppy mill in Harpursville, New York. Beautiful New York State with its green hills and woodlands hides a terrible secret just as several other rural states do. It is home to numbers of puppy mills hidden away on its side roads. One particular Keeshond puppy mill, Marjorie’s Kennel, is on the HSUS list of the 101 worst puppy mills in the United States. In fact there are other mills on this list in New
York State. (http://dogtime.com/ hsus-list-101-problem-puppy-millsin-america.html). The owner initially said she was retiring and would release all dogs to Keeshond rescue. An agreement was signed. After 54 dogs were released over the next several months she changed her mind and stopped releasing dogs. Help is needed to rescue the rest of the 56 Keeshonds still held captive in these desperate conditions and give them the life they deserve. The dogs that were rescued were unsocialized, and had many untreated medical conditions. The case of Sapphire illustrates both the neglected and grim life she survived and the promise of recovery that has been achieved. A frightened and timid bitch, Sapphire was practically hairless. She was covered in dog bites over her entire body, and her skin was ravaged with mange and infection. In a testament to the enduring quality of the Keeshond temperament, Sapphire, who had no good reason to trust anyone, is now a happy and healthy household companion. With care and treatment her immune system, her coat, and her mind recovered. The rescue of over 100 dogs is a logistical and financial challenge that would stretch the resources of most parent breed clubs. But for Keeshonds it was especially challenging. The Keeshond world is small, this is a breed that now ranks below 100 in popularity in AKC and registers less than 600 dogs per year. The task looked formidable. Keeshonden in the United States have long been victims of
“The dogs that were rescued were unsocialized, and had many untreated medical conditions.”
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puppy mills. That this would eventually happen really surprised no one. Keeshond assets make them an especially attractive target. They are hardy, have excellent temperaments, and make great family dogs. But most important of all to the puppy mills are the puppies themselves. They are irresistible. They look like little teddy bears. Perfect for that last minute purchase by an unthinking public. In recent years several top breeders of Kees retired from breeding dogs in the northeast. People wanting a puppy when their dog passed away from old age found themselves looking for a dog. Many of them found their way to puppy mills. While AKC numbers began to decline in the late 1980’s the puppy mills did not close their doors they simply changed registries. Many formed their own registries with no DNA testing and no kennel inspections. The dogs were left unprotected except for state regulations which are often minimal and vary from state to state. In October of 2013, Dee Wingfield received word that a large puppy mill in the northeast area of the United States was voluntarily closing following recent state inspections. There were over 100 Keeshonden that would soon need veterinary care and placement. The kennel, which had been operating for over 40 years in Harpursville, New York, housed primarily Keeshonden, but also had other Spitz breeds including Siberian Huskies and American Eskimos. The dogs were living in groups of 25 to 30 in 40 x 40 pens. They had little to no shelter and received little to no socialization or health care.
“While AKC numbers began to decline in the late 1980’s the puppy mills did not close their doors they simply changed registries.”
Continued on page 128
Dog News 103