Main Shelter Information: 240.773.5960

First MCHS Dogs from Alleged Puppy Mill Go Home

Fare Best with Adopters Who Can Give Extra Care

Rockville, MD - March 12, 2009 - After the strain of living their entire lives until recently in an alleged puppy mill in North Carolina, the first of the 15 dogs received by the Montgomery County Humane Society have found the warmth of human contact and new loving homes.

Nana, now known as Pumpkin, was the first to be adopted. A small white poodle mix, she was somewhat intimidated at first, says adopter Kathleen Fornatora, from Ashton. "But she’s adjusted wonderfully well," Fornatora says. "She’s coming out of her shell and is more relaxed. She just bounces at mealtime." 

At first, Pumpkin would simply sit on her new mom’s lap for a couple of hours, watching TV. She tolerates getting her toenails trimmed, but at only nine pounds, Fornatora says she's easy to manage.

Pumpkin now walks out of her crate on her own, rather than waiting for someone to reach in for her. Her housetraining is progressing as well, no small feat for a puppy mill survivor. Thanks to confinement to a cage their entire lives before now, these dogs are trickier to train.

Most recently, Amber, a tiny Chihuahua who has been renamed Kiki, went home with Tana Stellato and her son Jason, 17. Her family is experienced with rescue pets – their previous dog, Sabrina, was also a puppy mill survivor who lived 16 years under their loving care.  

"Kiki is so sweet and really doing well," Stellato says. "She was slow to eat and drink the first 24 hours while she was checking out her new environment, but now everything appears normal."

Stellato says Kiki is also smart. She already knows how to sit on command and understands "outside" when it's time to do her business. She loves her little bed and wants to be petted a lot. "I never leave her alone," Stellato adds. 

Upon arrival last month at the MCHS Private Rescue in Rockville, the dogs were groomed and examined by a veterinarian before being made available for adoption. Prospective adopters are advised that there needs to be an adult at home around the clock and extra precautions are important to help the dogs adjust to everyday activities most people and pets take for granted. Commitment to the animal's rehabilitation is key, whether for housetraining, feeding treats, or playing. 

####

Pumpkin at home

Pumpkin in the snow

FAQs on Rehabilitation of a Puppy Mill Dog

About the Montgomery County Humane Society:
The Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) in Rockville, Maryland, is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has provided animal sheltering services for Montgomery County since 1958. In addition to managing the animal shelter for the county, MCHS also maintains an overflow private rescue center especially well-suited for animals with special needs. As an open admission shelter, we never turn an animal away. In 2007, MCHS assisted The HSUS with a puppy mill rescue from Hillsville, VA, saving 25 dogs and puppies.

The private rescue is located at 607 S. Stonestreet Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850.

www.mchumane.org