Adoption Date & Details Set for Dogs Rescued from North Mississippi Puppy Mills
Last Wednesday, November 5th, H.S.S.M. participated in the rescue of 123 small-breed dogs from two Corinth, MS puppy mills. A layer of maggots covered the ground under the wire-bottomed kennels, at one location, while at the other location, the dog’s rabbit hutch-style cages were surrounded by old rusty cars, piles of garbage, and other assorted hoarded items.
These mistreated and neglected dogs were bred repeatedly for profit without regard to their well-being. The dogs had allegedly been sold at local flea markets for years and had been repeatedly reported to the local authorities. Although much evidence of animal neglect and cruelty was collected during this rescue, it is being reported that local law enforcement will not be pressing charges against the puppy mills’ proprietors.
The dogs have now all been examined by a veterinarian and evaluated for adoption. H.S.S.M. will place 60-70 of the rescued dogs up for adoption beginning Friday, November 14th at 10 a.m. in addition to the 160 dogs already being housed at H.S.S.M. and searching for homes. All adoptions are first-come, first-serve. The remaining dogs have been placed into experienced foster homes while they recover from extensive medical issues or while their puppies grow big enough to be adopted. H.S.S.M. is in need of donations to cover the costs related to these special needs animals, which can be made online at www.hssm.org or by calling 228-822-3802.
The dogs that will be made available for adoption are relatively healthy and have all been vaccinated and treated for any existing medical issues.
H.S.S.M. wants to make clear that most of the dogs available for adoption are the breeding adults, not puppies. These adults range in age from approximately 8 months to 8 years of age. They will require time and patience from their adoptive homes to become the pets they are destined to be. Many have never before experienced a home environment, so simple things like televisions, furniture and other common household objects will be totally new experiences. These dogs are not house-trained, as they have never before needed to be.
“These dogs have never truly known the love of a real home and family,” said H.S.S.M. Operations Director, Tracy Reis, “We are ecstatic to be able to offer these precious dogs that chance and we are devoted to making sure that these dogs experience the love and care they crave and deserve. And this serves as a warning—don’t buy puppies online or from a flea market. These are the conditions they come from—terrible places for any dog to be born and live in.”
Adoption of the rescued dogs will follow all of H.S.S.M.’s usual protocols. Adoptions will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 14th at H.S.S.M.’s facility in Gulfport and all adoptions will be first-come, first-serve. All necessary paperwork will be provided on the day of adoption—no forms will be available beforehand. Numbers will be given out to adopters in the order which they arrive or line up. Adoption fees for the rescued dogs will be $175, per H.S.S.M.’s standing fee scale. All dogs will be spayed/neutered before going home with their new families. If the dog is already fixed, it can go home the same day. If not already “fixed,” the dog can be picked up in 2-4 business days. H.S.S.M.’s adoption paperwork is a legally binding contract and the person adopting must be the person who will be the primary caregiver of the animal.
Pictures of most of the rescued dogs can be found on H.S.S.M.’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/MyHSSM. As usual, a photo ID is required to adopt and all adoptions will include:
•Your new pet
•Spay/neuter surgery
•Updated vaccinations
•Updated rabies vaccine
•Microchip and engraved ID tag
•30 days of gift pet health insurance
•Free vet visit within 7 days of adoption
•Heartworm tests for all dogs over 6 month
•Starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet food
•10% off in HSSM’s BowWow Meow Boutique
As H.S.S.M. receives no general financial support from national, state, or local governmental agencies, H.S.S.M. depends on the support of our community to be able to provide the highest quality care and services to the animals entrusted to us. Adding an additional 100+ animals in H.S.S.M.’s care places a strain on our resources; if you would like to help, H.S.S.M. welcomes monetary donations and in-kind donations of paper towels, creamy peanut butter, latex gloves, and Kong-style stuffable dog toys. To make a donation, please call 228-863-3354 ext. 102.
Latest information, pictures and videos can be seen on H.S.S.M.’s Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyHSSM.
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