Over 170 dogs were rescued from an alleged puppy mill operation in Tate County, Mississippi and are receiving treatment from local rescue groups.
HappiDog Animal Rescue is now taking care of 23 of the 176 dogs rescued from the alleged puppy mill. "Yesterday 176 dogs were in horrific conditions," Michelle Murgatroyd, founder of HappiDog Animal Rescue said. "Today those 176 dogs are starting the best days of their lives."
The Tunica County Humane Society shared photos of the dogs on social media. The animals are unrecognizable due to the dirt, matted fur, and their terrible living conditions. Michelle Murgatroyd of the Tunica County Humane Society shares that the dogs they have taken in are in relatively good health.
"Some have hernias, some have growths," Murgatroyd said. "Fortunately, most of them are okay. Other than being really really dirty, they're pretty good and pretty healthy surprisingly."
Some dogs are blind or have developmental issues. Murgatroyd adds that some dogs have dental problems. "Most of these dogs are missing teeth. What few teeth some of these dogs have, they're going to have to be pulled."
Murgatroyd emphasizes that despite what the dogs went through, they remained sweet and not aggressive.
"For them living their whole life in a cage, they're a little skittish, they're a little nervous," she said. "But they have the desire to be loved."
According to Murgatroyd, multiple groups around the Mid-South have also expressed their intention to help for the high number of dogs. She says they will need $500 per dog to give them full health and prepare for adoption within a couple weeks.
"We need as much help as we can get," Murgatroyd said. "We want these dogs out of cages and into homes as quickly as possible."
People who are interested to help can visit HappiDog Animal Rescue at happidogrescue.com/donations/. Those who would like to foster, adopt, volunteer or donate can go to Sunny Meadows’ website: sunnymeadows.org.
Other organizations providing assistance are All About Rescue and Fixin’ (AARF) (aarf-tn.com/donate/) and the Tunica Humane Society (http://www.tunicahumanesociety.com/donate--contact-us.html).
