Gov. Jay Nixon, and Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler visited the Humane Society of Missouri on April 9 to announce Operation Bark Alert, a new effort to crackdown on unlicensed pet breeding facilities.

“The Humane Society of Missouri commends the Governor and his administration for taking an important first step in the effort to end substandard puppy mills in Missouri,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri, “However, much work still needs to be done. We will not rest until all substandard breeding facilities, licensed or unlicensed, are closed.”

Since taking office in January, the Governor reported that more than 1,300 abused and neglected dogs have been removed from unlicensed breeding facilities. The Humane Society of Missouri worked with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to investigate these facilities and receive and care for the majority of these animals. During the announcement Gov. Nixon stated that Missouri had been lax in enforcing current laws regarding standards of care for animals in breeding facilities. Both he and Director Hagler vowed to strengthen those efforts and ensure that Missouri is home to only three kinds of breeders: “those that are excellent, good breeders striving to be excellent, or breeders that are out of business.”

Warnick further stated, “We look forward to working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to ensure that all animals in breeding facilities are treated decently and humanely.”

The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force is a dedicated team of animal rescue experts that works full time to educate pet owners, investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and, when necessary, work with law enforcement to remove animals from deplorable situations. Over the last year, the Animal Cruelty Task Force has been responsible for the rescue of more than 3,500 animals from substandard puppy mills.

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In a disposition hearing today in Jackson County, Missouri, the Humane Society of Missouri was awarded custody of 102 dogs from a substandard puppy mill in Daviess County.  The dogs had been removed from the property before a warrant could be served in Daviess County. The dogs were surrendered to Jackson County authorities by persons who had received them from the Daviess County property.

Currently, the dogs are being evaluated, treated and cared for by Humane Society of Missouri veterinarians and staff. All will require spay or neuter surgery before they can be available for adoption.

These dogs will begin to be available for adoption the week of April 20, 2009. Persons interested in adopting one of these animals are encouraged to visit the Humane Society of Missouri website. As they become available, the dogs will be placed at one of the three Humane Society of Missouri Adoption Centers. 

BACKGROUND
On Tuesday, March 31 the Missouri Department of Agriculture requested the assistance of the Humane Society of Missouri to rescue an estimated 200 dogs and three primates from a substandard puppy mill near Winston, Missouri, in Daviess County.

Later that afternoon a warrant was served by the Daviess County Sheriff’s department for the removal of the animals. When members of the Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force arrived at the location, all but 15 dogs and 2 cats had been removed from the property.

The morning of April 3, 2009, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force received 102 missing dogs from Daviess County and transported them to the Humane Society of Missouri Headquarters.  The animals received a veterinary examination and necessary vaccinations, deworming, nail trims and ear cleaning. The dogs include a variety breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, and Miniature Poodle. 

 “The diligent work of members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, our own Animal Cruelty Task Force, and the willingness of members of the public to come forward and do the right thing, have led to the successful recovery of these animals,” says Tim Rickey, director of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of the Humane Society of Missouri. “We are also grateful to Kansas City Animal Control for their help in transferring the animals. We are very relieved these animals are no longer in jeopardy and can now receive the care we believe they desperately need."

Adoption Promotion Rescue Dog Adopt-A-Thon

Rescue Dog Adopt-A-Thon
Saturday April 25

In March, after hearing about the Yorkies rescued from Greene County, Carol Porter of Yorkietalk.com and the author of the book How the Yorkie Rescued Santa donated $440 to the Cinderella Fund. Money from this fund is used to go the extra mile for animals that have suffered abuse or neglect and require medical treatment that is beyond the scope of regular adoption center procedures.The funds were collected by Porter's supporters and from the sale of her book.