Specialty Breed Puppy Mill Rescues Available For Adoption In Salem: MSPCA

SALEM, MA — Several of the more than two dozen specialty breed dogs rescued from so-called "puppy mills" across the country are now up for adoption at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem.

The MSPCA-Angell said on Thursday that many of the dogs have gone through their veterinary exams and are ready to find forever homes with understanding families who can help them transition from what may have been lives spent largely in cages.

• 27 Puppy Mill Rescues To Arrive In Salem From Missouri To Find Forever Homes

"They'll need patient adopters who can keep their world small at first as they get used to the hustle and bustle of the world," the MSPCA-Angell posted on social media. "Things like going outside, walking on a leash, and even the TV can feel brand new to these guys.

"Quieter homes without a lot of people coming and going would be good as they adapt to their new environment. The dogs are used to living around other dogs and many of them would absolutely thrive with good role model dogs who can teach them how to dog."

Those interested in the dogs, which include Dachshunds, Beagles, Husky mixes, can check on availability here.

The dogs, ranging from four months old to seven years old, arrived via transport from Missouri this past weekend and were taken to the Salem shelter for the state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and a veterinary exam.

• More Than 100 Animals Rescued From MA Property: MSPCA

"These dogs will be from different places, and we don’t know anything about the conditions that they were found in," said Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division. "All we know is that once they're in our care, we're planning to shower them with TLC and help their true personalities come out."

Proposed bills in the Massachusetts State Legislature seek to end the so-called 'puppy-mill-to-pet-shop' pipeline by preventing pet stores from selling dogs, cats, and rabbits unless they partner with a shelter or rescue organization.

"Inhumane commercial breeding facilities breed females as early and as frequently as possible," said MSPCA-Angell Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist. "Puppies in those places are also predisposed to a range of problematic behavioral issues, in part because they're often taken from their mothers too young.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)