From Puppy Mills to Good Homes:
Rescued Eskimo Dogs Up for Adoption Thursday at OHS

June 3, 2009

 

 

Two of the puppy mill dogs rescued by OHS and now ready for adoption.

A group of 85 American Eskimo dogs rescued from a huge puppy mill operation in Washington will be available for adoption this Thursday, June 4, at the Oregon Humane Society.

 

The animals were seized by Washington police last week from what officials have called one of the nation’s largest and worst puppy mills. Police took nearly 400 animals from a Kennewick, WA woman who was charged with animal cruelty (full story)

 

“Life for these animals has taken a dramatic turn for the better,” said OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon. Each of the animals OHS accepted from Washington authorities last week was bathed, groomed, vaccinated and treated for medical issues ranging from parasites to dental conditions. Each animal will also be spayed or neutered before adoption.  “These dogs are ready for a new home where they can be members of a family, instead of being abused and mistreated so their owner could make a profit,” said Harmon.

 

The public is invited to visit OHS starting at 10 am Thursday to see and adopt the dogs, the majority of whom are one to ten years of age and small to medium in size. The highly popular breed is known for its intelligence, eagerness to please, and high energy. But OHS cautions that the dogs from the Kennewick puppy mail have special behavior issues related to their past neglect.

 

The rescued American Eskimo dogs at OHS, for example:

• are shy toward people and are not used to being handled
• are not leash-trained
• are not house-trained
• may not get along with other dogs
• may be overwhelmed by new experiences that are foreign to them.

 

Potential adopters should download an OHS behavior fact sheet (PDF) and medical fact sheet (PDF) about the dogs. Each adopter will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an Eskimo dog. OHS encourages people to bring their own dogs to the shelter for a “pet meet” with an Eskimo dog.  

 

The OHS Behavior and Training Department will provide each adopter with a free behavior consultation to help with issues such as house-training, leash-training and socialization. OHS highly encourages current owners of this breed to visit the shelter and perhaps add another American Eskimo dog to their household.

 

Adoption fees for the animals range from $200-$400, which reflects the cost of medical care, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, ID chips, and other medical and behavior services.

 

OHS opens to the public at 10:00 am on Thursday; the adoption office closes at 8:30 pm. OHS accepted 95 Eskimo dogs, and all but about ten of the original group will be available for viewing on Thursday (the remaining dogs are in foster care or receiving medical attention).

 

While most of the dogs available for viewing Thursday can be taken home, there may be some dogs that have yet to be spayed/neutered. The public can place a hold on these animals and take them home as soon as they have been altered.

 

What:  85 American Eskimo dogs rescued from Washington to be offered for adoption.

When: OHS opens at 10 am, Thursday, June 4. The animals will remain available for adoption as long as needed.

Where: OHS Shelter, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR, 97211

Fee: Adoption fees are $200 - $400

 

Special thanks to the donated services of these dog groomers:

Aussie Pet Mobile, LexiDog, Hayden Island Petco, PetSmart and Wash n' Roll

Most of the dogs received much needed baths and grooming prior to adoption.