Collaborative Effort Moves Seized Dogs to Temporary Shelter
Nov 2007
By Lisa Jung
Eight weeks after Maine’s largest animal seizure, not a single dog remains at the unlicensed breeding facility where police and animal welfare authorities rescued approximately 250 canines August 21. The 137 dogs that remained at the rescue site for care and medical treatment were transferred October 11 to a secure temporary shelter in Portland designed specifically for their ongoing health and well-being.
The day began at dawn at the Buxton Police Department, where state Animal Welfare Program (AWP) representatives met with police officers and Maine state troopers. As Salvation Army volunteers handed out coffee and snacks, the group grew to include staff and volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Humane Association (AHA), the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) of Kennebunk, the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Westbrook and the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston.
A well-orchestrated 11-hour day, the transfer was a testament to the skills and commitment of all who have cared for the dogs since August, as well as a dedicated labor of love. Beginning at the former puppy mill site, much people-to-pooch reassurance, holding and comforting was followed by checks and rechecks, numbering and careful loading into cages and crates, which were then loaded onto two trailers.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” said Norma Worley, director of AWP. “The HSUS brought its Disaster Services Transport vehicle that carries 50 dogs, and the ARL from Boston brought a rig that holds about 35 dogs. In three round trips we brought 137 dogs safely to their new home—a temporary shelter on the grounds of Happy Tails Daycare in Portland.
“We had been searching for another facility since day one for the dogs that were being cared for at the rescue site,” Worley added. “We hadn’t found anything and were getting discouraged. Then the folks from Happy Tails contacted us to say they had a training center we could use. It is perfect—a 13,000 square-foot building that we were able to tailor for the care and needs of the dogs. Plus, it already had an alarm system, which we wanted for security.”
Since the August rescue, many of the dogs have been sheltered and treated at the AWS in Kennebunk and the ARL in Westbrook. A majority needed medical treatment for zoonotic diseases, including Giardia, which causes severe diarrhea and vomiting; sarcoptic mange, a severe skin disorder; and ringworm.
The state was awarded custody of the 249 rescued dogs September 26 in Biddeford District Court. At least 20 females were pregnant on the day of the rescue and about 50 puppies have since been born at the shelters, increasing the number of dogs in state care to about 300.
Staff, veterinarians and volunteers continue to provide myriad hours of treatment and care to improve the dogs’ overall health, hygiene, behavior and socialization. As this issue of Downeast Dog News went to press, the AWS and the ARL were looking to hire temporary employees to provide more help.
According to Worley, the cost of medical care for the dogs has been “astronomical.” “For just the first day of the rescue, the emergency medical treatment bill was $10,000,” she said. “As of September 26, we’d spent $125,000. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve doubled that amount since.”
Some of the dogs are still being treated for dental problems; some are getting antibiotics and follow-up, which Worley said would be completed before any were adopted. Others have minor problems that won’t keep them from being adopted. Some dogs are receiving training related to behavioral problems, but most of the dogs have improved in this area because of the socialization, handling, comfort and love they have been shown by those who care for them.
“Certain breeds, like Shetland sheepdogs, have a higher tendency to develop abnormal behaviors in kennels, such as running in circles, spinning and literally going up the walls,” Worley said. “Slowly but surely, they are also improving as we work with them and they grow calmer and more secure.”
Many breeds are represented by the rescued dogs, including but not limited to German shepherds, Shetland sheepdogs, mini Australian shepherds, American and French bulldogs, papillons, poodles, pugs, Brussels Griffons and shih tzus.
“This entire experience has been amazing as far as the people who have given weeks of their lives to help. In fact, many have given 12-hour days for eight weeks,” Worley said. “In the beginning, we thought we were going to find at the most 125 dogs and ended up rescuing twice that amount with at least 80 percent of the females pregnant. We realized then that even with help from the local shelters, we were in over our heads.
“HSUS sent five to eight volunteers every week for four to five weeks, which was a lifesaver. We also received help from the ASPCA. And the International Fund for Animals sent a veterinarian from Cape Cod for a week.
“Then I had to go to Washington, D.C., for an American Humane Association conference. I approached their disaster team and they jumped at the chance to help. In fact, they drove up their disaster rig—an 82 foot-long mobile veterinary surgical suite. Even an organization in California, the United Animal Nation, sent several volunteers. It kept evolving.
“On the day of the transfer, the AWS and the ARL were with us every step of the way. We couldn’t have done it without them,” Worley continued. “It was wonderful to see—volunteers from local, state, national and international organizations working together without clashes of agendas or egos. We followed the same model that FEMA uses with the national disaster system. Everyone came together and it worked beautifully. Now we’re on pins and needles—in limbo—until we get through the court process.”
Puppy mill owners Heidi and John Frasca received 14 summonses for an unlicensed kennel, two summonses for animal cruelty and one summons for failure to provide necessary medical treatment to animals. A court date concerning the summonses is scheduled for November.
To train as a volunteer for the rescued dogs, call the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk at (207) 985-3244 or the Animal Rescue League in Westbrook at (207) 854-9771. Monetary donations for care and treatment of the dogs at the new temporary shelter may be mailed to Animal Welfare Program, 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
