Kent Animal Shelter Finding Homes for 10 Puppy Mill Rescues

A puppy mill rescue in Missouri brought 30 dogs to the East End — and 10 are currently at the Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton, waiting for their new homes.

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons took in 20 of the breeder dogs that were rescued from puppy mills in Missouri, while Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton has taken in 10 others. 

Pam Green, executive director of the Kent Animal Shelter, said the rescues were "in pretty good shape," with no major issues; they are currently being neutered and vaccinated and will be made available for adoption.

The dogs at ARF, located in Wainscott, are among the most popular small breeds including Yorkshire Terriers, Coton de Tulear, Pomeranians, Shih Tzu, Toy Poodles and Maltese. "Some are suffering from ailments typical of dogs from puppy mills including rotten teeth and injured feet (from living on wire floors)," according to a statement from ARF. "Others are physically fine, but extremely shy from a lack of human contact."

ARF Hamptons has participated in six other puppy mill rescues this year. 

Dogs are transported from Missouri by a network of volunteer drivers known as the Rescue Road Warriors. ARF covers the expense of gas for the trips from places like Missouri, which is ranked by the Humane Society of the United States as among the Nation’s worst for puppy mill conditions.

"Kent was very happy to participate with the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons for this collaboration," Green said.