Arlington Shelter Seeking Donations To Care For 16 Dogs Rescued From Missouri Puppy Mills

ARLINGTON, VA — The Animal Welfare League of Arlington welcomed 16 dogs to their shelter this week from puppy mills in Missouri, with plans to find new homes for them once they are ready for adoption.

The dogs were part of a group of 60 dogs surrendered from commercial breeders to National Mill Dog Rescue and were flown from Missouri to Virginia on Wednesday by the Bissell Pet Foundation and Race For Life Rescue.

The breeding facilities surrendered their dogs due to overproduction, retired breeders, or discontinuing business, according to the Bissell Pet Foundation. Among the 60 dogs surrendered are French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, Pekingese and Shih Tzus.

Many of the dogs were covered in ticks and fleas and some have bad skin infections, according to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Also, all the dogs will need to be spayed and neutered and receive other medical care.

“We need your support to give these dogs the care they need and get them ready for the next leg of their journey — finding new homes,” the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said.

AWLA is holding a special fundraiser to care for the rescued dogs. Visit the AWLA website to help the shelter cover the costs of caring for these dogs before they are ready for adoption. The public can also donate supplies to help with the dogs' care.

Once the dogs have received the necessary care, AWLA will then begin accepting applications for adoption. AWLA suggests keeping an eye on its website to see when the dogs will be available for adoption.

AWLA has a relationship with the Bissell Pet Foundation, which facilitates the transport of dogs from different situations all over the country — whether it's puppy mills or natural disasters — to shelters that can care for them.

The foundation reached out to AWLA about this group of dogs, and the Arlington shelter agreed to take in the 16 dogs, according to AWLA Senior Communications Specialist Chelsea Jones.

“Bissell Pet Foundation is pleased to continue supporting National Mill Dog Rescue and their lifesaving work to help discarded breeding dogs and share the realities of the commercial breeding industry,” Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation, said in a statement. "We are so grateful to our incredible destination partners in Virginia who stepped up to save lives as a part of this special mission."