Update, 7/29/09: Chauncy has been adopted!

Chauncy is one of approximately 33 puppies and young adult dogs seized from a so-called “hobby breeder” in Branson, Missouri. The backyard breeder did not provide his dogs with required medical treatment, neglecting them to the point that local animal control stepped and and seized most of the dogs. Outrageously, he was reportedly allowed to keep four adult females and one adult male in order to continue his breeding operation.

Local rescue groups were unable to take in many of the dogs, as they had all been exposed to parvovirus, a contagious and fatal disease that can kill up to 80% of infected puppies. Thus, several foster/breed rescue groups – German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue, Inc., Midwest Pointer and Weimaraner Rescue (Midwest PAWS) and German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue KY – stepped in to help save the puppy mill survivors.

Along with a number of her siblings, Chauncy is staying with the good folks at German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue, Inc. Of her, they write:

I’m Chauncy and I am a dilly! Mom says I had better behave myself! I don’t know if I can do that as I am just 8 weeks old, but a lot of fun. I am a good baby and need a loving home. I am getting some tremendous medical care and thriving! I look a lot like Beckham! and Molly too!

Here’s a video of all the pups playing together in their new foster home:

As for their most rescue puppy mill rescue efforts, German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue, Inc. has been recording the pups’ progress here:

Thursday May 21st was a day I had hoped would never come. Local rescuers emailed with an urgent plea for help in placing 27 GWP and GSP pups that had been taken by ACO’s in Southern MO. With no time left, we all banded together in an effort to save these sweet dogs that had suffered in deplorable conditions. We had 12 hours to work with until they would all be euthanized.

Local shelters could not take them in as one of the six week old puppies did die from Parvo. GSP Rescue-Midwest Paws and GWP Rescue, Inc along with two wonderful local rescue groups have all worked together to provide an isolation area for 10 days, Vet Techs are treating the babies in their homes with IV fluids, and Emergency Staff at the University of MO vet hospital are standing by. Puppies are 8 months GSP and wire, 3 months wire, 2-3 month old GSP and 8 weeks old. So far the only babes to break with parvo are the 8 week old pups.

GWP Rescue KY is set up to handle some, Ks GWP Rescue will take some here, and GSP Rescue Midwest Paws that took in the MO 75 two months ago when their puppymiller burnt his kennels to the ground will all be providing sanctuary. Please send a donation, or offer to foster/adopt/come over and help in the Kansas City Area. At this time, pups are not well enough to fly, drive long distances. While we appreciate offers to help from groups on the East or West Coast, we at this time have the situation under control. The possibility exists in the future.

May 24th Update: With the help if Humane Society Debbie Williams, 4 of our babes were moved to the University of Columbia Vet School emergency for care. The solid liver GSP Baby pictured below was having a discharge and lethargic. All of the 8 month olds were covered in ticks, fleas, and required immediate medical care. It was discovered Baby was about to give birth, and will do so in the next 48 hours, according to Dr. Curl DVM, The sonogram showed a very large litter, but she is so extremely thin, no one could tell she was pregnant. That will make the count up to 33 pups if Dr. Curl’s estimation is right.

UPDATE: Puppies are doing well, one of the wirehair babies rallied, and was eating this morning after being on fluids and medication for two days. Others are not showing signs so far, so Please keep positive thoughts coming their way. All of the adults, 3 shorthairs with Midwest Paws, and one wirehair are at the Vet College receiving treatment for illness from lack of basic medical care. Infections, worms, emaciation.

We are all set, ready for their arrival when the vet feels they are all ready to travel a short distance to KC area and Health Certificates issued. This week will be a deciding factor.

June 3rd: Lat Saturday, Susan Gandy and Mary Murray took the trip to Southern MO to bring back the puppies that tested neg. for parvo and were examined by the vet issuing exams and health certificates. We were able to bring back 6 pups.

June 5th: As of today, Midwest Paws and GWP Rescue, Inc have removed and given sanctuary to 23 of the 33 babies and young adults siezed by this so called “hobby” breeder in MO with acknowledged parvo in his environment. The babies had broken with parvo, and all of these glorious babes were to be gassed in the gas box whether they were sick or not. This has been a team effort on the part of local rescue and GWP Rescue, Inc/Midwest Paws all licensed in MO. We thank the rescues that got ahold of us the day of the raid, and working so hard to get that truck turned around when they were going to the facility that held the gas box. So far, two tiny babies have died, and four babies have broken from parvo out of the 33. All of our babies in our care have come through the incubation period, and seem to be in the clear.

June 15th: We are into our third day with the tiny babies. They are darling, and so sweet. What is disturbing is that I had no idea how small they were until we got them from their rescue angel that took care of them for us when they were all in quarantine. They are just barely 8 weeks now, so three weeks ago, they were only 5 weeks old? How sad for them to have to leave their mother. What kind of man would allow that to happen? [...]

Well, this “hobby breeder” produced pups with illness, fleas, ticks, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms, anemia, white gums…..Mama Shorthair was pregnant with babies and high heartwork positive. Our little wire babies suffered with parvo. [...] Our girl Carley had 200 ticks on her when she went to the University of MO-Vet School and was seen by Dr. Kerl DVM. She was appalled by the shape of Carley and others. They were in such terrible condition.

The good news is they are all receiving medical care, getting stronger, and almost ready for new homes.

You can keep up-to-date on the puppies’ recovery, learn more about GWP Rescue, Inc.’s adoptable dogs, and make a donation here.

To find out more about puppy mills – including what you can do to help put an end to abusive breeding practices – please visit stoppuppymills.org. The site is run by the Humane Society of the United States (with which local chapters, such as HSMO, are not necessarily affiliated), however, if you’d like to make a donation, I highly encourage you to seek out a local group in need, as more of your money goes towards helping the animals (vs. supporting a bloated bureaucracy) when you give to smaller, grassroots organizations.

The Humane Society of Missouri also has a list of pending legislation in Missouri on their Advocacy page.

The simplest thing you can do, though, is adopt a dog (cat, rat, horse, etc.) rather than buy one – after all, there are thousands of local animals in need of loving homes; many will die for simple lack of space. Under these conditions, why create more lives, only to destroy others?

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Each Wednesday, the Kansas City Freecycle blog will feature one adoptable animal from a local KC rescue group or animal shelter.

We do this for several reasons:

- To highlight the plight of companion animals in the Kansas City area.

- To remind members of our no-animal policy, and provide an alternative venue for members who wish to adopt an unwanted animal.

- To encourage members to adopt a furry friend.

- To help out out local animal rescue groups and animal shelters, many of which are overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals in need.

- To illustrate these animals’ unique personalities and characteristics, thus underscoring the fact that they are not objects and should not be “freecycled”.

Click here to view past Featured Adoptables.

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