Upon arrival we found a large crowd of puppymill owners and brokers from as far away as ILL as well as a few show people who were there for rescue also. We were given catalogs describing each dog and allowed to go into the kennel building and inspect the dogs. The kennel was a long very narrow aluminum pole building with a single row of raised cages down each side. The dogs were on heavy grates and the cages were single row so urine or feces was not falling on dogs caged below. There were 3-5 dogs per cage and cages were approximately 3'x4' or 4'x4' in diameter. Most of the cages had little doors to outside raised runs (up on wire). The building was dimly lit with no outside windows. I saw no insulation on the walls but there was a large
overhead heat unit running the length of the building. In my opinion it was hardly adequate to warm against the frigid winter climate found in this part of the country.
The center walk was cement, ventilation poor and of course the smell of urine was overpowering. The dogs had been freshly clipped and bathed and generally appeared to be in good weight and in good condition. Most were very frightened and huddled together toward the back of their cages. All were wearing
collars with large numbered tags for easy identification.
At the start of the auction it was announced that a representative of AKC was present and all records had been inspected and were in proper order. A vet was also present and announced that all dogs had been health checked, were very healthy and each had a health certificate. Then the Humane Society Rep. stood up, announced that he was very impressed with the operation and everyone "should buy"! We were crushed. That announcement ended any hope we had of confiscating the dogs. That was also the start of my education into ways of rescuing from the commercial breeders (puppymills) and into the
commercial breeder mentality.
It was very important to keep a low profile because if a person was thought to be "rescue" the price of the dog they were interested in would be bid up. I recognized a group of Lhasa breeders and struck up a conversation. They were a wealth of information. They told me that after hearing the news of this auction they went online to their Lhasa lists and received
pledges of money from many individuals including breeders, exhibitors, numerous pet owners who love the breed and from Lhasa clubs around the country. They had a large sum of money and were prepared to AND DID buy most of the Lhasa's that were auctioned. All I was able to do was wring my hands in dispare. I HAD NO FINANCIAL BACKING FROM THE YTCA RESCUE, FROM ANY LOCAL YORKIE GROUPS OR FROM ANY PRIVATE PARTIES. I was powerless to help even one of the poor babies. What added to my disgust was the fact that these dogs were
very salvageable. They were not old or ill and truly did have long lives ahead of them.
The bidding started with the Bichons and the prices that the dogs were going for was high. Bred bitches over $1000, bitch with pups over $1000, and young breeding stock $250 and up. There were very few dogs over 4 years of age. All older ones, according to the vet, had been euthanized. That's when I decided to leave. Yorkies were on last, and it was too hard sitting there knowing that I couldn't even participate. On the way to my car I spoke to the Humane Society Representative and the Vet. The Rep. stated that he found this to be an excellent "commercial breeding facility" and the Vet agreed. When I pressed them on the emotional abuse aspect they conceded that these dogs were livestock but that was not their concern. It was not AKC's concern either. The Rep. argued with me that this was not a puppymill and the Vet was very proud that the dogs were in decent physical condition.
This, folks, is the mentality that we are dealing with and one that I feel we are going to have a hard if not impossible time changing. So how can we all help?
1. YTCA's Rescue Fund is ONLY for spay/neuter, shots, heartworm check, fecal check and euthanisia of dogs rescued.
NOT FOR THE COST OF PURCHASING THE DOG.
Yes, to purchase the dog would be putting money into the pockets of puppymill owners but, in this case, for dogs that are PRIME CANDIDATES for rescue - is that not what we should do?
I'd say that 90% of these dogs went on to other puppymills, many I am sure much worse than what they were in. Had conditions been deplorable and the dogs been confiscated the health of the dogs would have been deplorable too. These dogs were at least healthy.
IS THIS NOT AN IMPORTANT PART OF RESCUE?
So often, by the time dogs are surrendered or confiscated they are beyond repair. These dogs weren't beyond repair.
2. Can YTCA be approached regarding their policy of REFUSING to help with the cost of purchase even if the condition of the dog justifies purchase?
3. If the National Breed Rescue group is powerless to help than we need to prepare ourselves as well as the Lhasa breeders did and use our Yorkie lines to ask for immediate response for pledges when the date and location of an auction becomes known. Time is of the essence. Often there is very little notice before the actual auction. Had I had pledges of $3000-$5000 or if
alternative rescue funds had been available I have no doubt I could have rescued many of the Yorkies. A lot of money? YES! But how much is in the rescue funds already Vs. how much is actually being used?
4. The talk of BREED RESCUE is gratifying. Everyone gets "warm
fuzzes" when they donate to the fund, what a wonderful thing to do. But "lemme tell ya folks", it wasn't to darn wonderful to be there knowing that there is money in funds for rescue but not one "red cent" was available to me. Spaying, neutering and booster shots is the least of these dogs problems. None will live long enough to ever be rescued or altered, they'll just be bred to death.
I dedicate this article to Yorkie # 156. When I went into the kennel to see the dogs she came right up to the front of the cage to greet me. She had a twinkle in her eyes, her ears where up and alert. She was cute as could be. "I'll be back for you", I promised her. "I'll buy you". I didn't have the money and I didn't go back. I don't often cry over dogs anymore but I am
writing this in tears. I can't get her face out of my mind. She will be with me forever. Please everyone, help both change the rescue policies and if needed pledge money to funds that will help get these dogs out, what ever it takes. We need to do it for #156 and all the others like her that can be helped.