January-February • HSMO’s Disaster Response Team sets up animal rescue operations in New Madrid to assist with feeding, watering and sheltering for pets of families with no water or electricity in New Madrid, Butler and Pemiscot Counties. The area was hit hard by a severe ice storm earlier in the week.
Green County Yorkie Puppy Mill
February • Two major puppy mill rescues in the same week give second chances to almost 250 dogs: In cooperation with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, HSMO’s Animal Cruelty Task Force rescues more than 90 Yorkshire Terriers living in filthy conditions at an unlicensed, substandard breeding facility. Kennels were covered with feces and urine, many dogs were severely matted and many appeared to have no access to food or water. These Yorkies were eventually rehabilitated, and several appeared on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show to raise awareness of the horrors of puppy mills. Just a week later, the Animal Cruelty Task Force, in cooperation with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, rescues approximately 150 dogs living in unsanitary conditions at a facility near Seneca, MO. The animals’ wire-bottom cages were covered with feces, there was no visible food and water was frozen. A Bengal Tiger also on the property was transported to the Springfield Zoo for care.
