Some seized pups will go to Wake SPCA

Raleigh, N.C. — The Humane Society has decided that 283 dogs seized from a suspected puppy mill in Wayne County will be available for adoption through 11 shelters throughout the southeast.

The following list of locations was released Wednesday afternoon.

SPCA of Wake County
Humane Society of Charlotte
Washington Animal Rescue League
Montgomery County Humane Society
SPCA Tampa Bay
Dachshund Rescue of North America
Norfolk SPCA
Chihuahua Rescue and Transport
Pawfect Match Rescue
The Sterile Feral
Richmond SPCA

The dogs must first be examined by a vet, then they will go to rescue groups and humane society groups for rehabilitation and adoption, Humane Society of the United States spokeswoman Jordan Crump said.

The dogs were removed from Thornton Kennels last week. Owner Virginia Thornton agreed to surrender the dogs to the Humane Society Tuesday.

The dogs – mostly shih-tzus, chihuahuas and Lhasa apsos – have been treated for infections, Crump said.

“They've been neglected,” Humane Society spokeswoman Kathleen Summers said. “They were not bred to live their lives in small cages. It's very cruel."

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Latest Comments

I agreee the act of adopting one of these dogs is being made a bit difficult for those of us who don't have time to run around the southeast. I would gladly take one or two of these animals this second but I know that's not possible. I feel that the folks in NC should be given an option to adopt first, being that not only the dogs but also many willing homes are waiting right here in the same spot. I'm sure that would save the Humane Society money not to mention time. And, I see no criminal charges will be filed against the owner of the puppy mill as NC does not consider it criminal to be in operation of such but isn't animal cruelty a criminal offense. If so I think she should be charged and tried by a jury of her peers.

ListentoMeNow
February 12, 2009 8:32 p.m.

Danriverboy: The SPCA of Wake County is receiving some of the dogs, not distributing them to shelters. The Humane Society is doing that.

maddie
February 12, 2009 3:45 p.m.

The Humane Society is distributing the dogs to the different locations, NOT the SPCA. SPCA of Wake County is one of the recipients.

lawyer_68
February 12, 2009 10:57 a.m.

Florida??

No offense, but it seems to me that the SPCA is distributing these animals in such a way as to maximize revenue more than to find good homes for them.

Scrofula
February 12, 2009 8:16 a.m.

I've made it a personal goal to give one of the chihuahuas a loving forever home, but Chihuahua Recue and Transport is extremely difficult to adopt from. They practically make you jump through flaming hoops. They have at least 20 chis up for adoption right now in NC as a result. I'll try to go through the Wake animal shelter...

simplysmurfy
February 11, 2009 9:03 p.m.