National Mill Dog Rescue Update

After a lifetime in commercial breeding facilities, 62 puppies and dogs found refuge at our St. Louis and Maryland Heights locations. Our shelter and veterinary teams have worked tirelessly to provide each one with medical evaluations and compassionate care.

The group’s needs are varied and extensive. Nearly one-third of the animals have painful periodontal disease requiring extractions. Some need advanced medical attention. One dog underwent surgery for a suspected tumor, which was revealed to be an old untreated abscess. Another requires surgical intervention to repair narrow, collapsing nasal openings. Meanwhile, several are exhibiting anxiety and behavioral issues that will be addressed in one-on-one sessions with our trainers. There is a wide breadth of medical issues among the animals – a typical outcome from poor breeding practices.

Other statistics include:

• 11 of the dogs needed medicated baths.
• 15 of the dogs require a special diet.
• 41 of the dogs had long nails that desperately needed to be trimmed.
• 60 of the dogs needed their ears cleaned.
• 60 of the dogs were spayed/neutered. Two had already been spayed/neutered prior to their arrival at our shelters.
• All 62 dogs received medical examinations, vaccinations, heartworm tests and microchips.

We estimate the cost of caring for all 62 dogs will exceed $81,000. This comes on the heels of two other large-scale rescue operations – Phelps County and Stone County – all linked to the problematic business of breeding and selling dogs. While Missouri continues to grapple with the issue, we remain committed to helping every helpless animal that comes through our doors.