Secondhand Hounds Saves Bulldogs From Puppy Mill
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Nearly a dozen bulldogs are getting a second chance after a Twin Cities rescue group saved them from a puppy mill.
Secondhand Hounds out of Eden Prairie placed 11 dogs in foster homes this weekend after raising enough money to buy them at a puppy mill auction. The dogs are quickly learning what it's like to live in a real home with a loving family.
When Teri Woolard opened her home to Sailor, she knew the dog would need extra attention.
"She hasn't figured out to go down steps yet," Woolard, who is fostering a rescued bulldog, said.
Toys are confusing for the 3-and-a-half year-old bulldog. Treats go untouched and even affection is unfamiliar.
"She's never been snuggled, so, us giving her attention, she's just eating it up," Woolard said.
Until now, Sailor only knew the life of a puppy mill.
"I foster medical cases and this was one of the harder ones. When we brought her home, realizing this is really the first time she's been in any loving home," Woolard said.
Sailor is one of several English bulldogs saved by Secondhand Hounds during an auction in Missouri. Normally, the group doesn't buy dogs at auction because the money continues to fuel the commercial breeding industry. However in this case, the owner died and his estate and family promised the end of that puppy mills.
"Any dogs we could take from this specific auction were totally saved, getting out of the ring, and it wasn't perpetuating cycle of puppy mills," Rachel Mairose, executive director of Secondhand Hounds, said.
Executive Director Rachel Mairose has a soft spot for bulldogs after fostering a sick bulldog puppy named Bernadette. The dog eventually passed away from health problems often linked to the commercial breeding industry.
"It made me fall in love with the breed but realized that the breed standard's need to be different," Mairose said. "We wanted to honor her, so, we set up a fighter fund for dogs with issues and specifically bulldogs."
A GoFundMe campaign and additional grant raised $18,000, which was enough to help 11 of the 47 dogs put up for sale.
"These dogs have never experienced doghood. They've been products," Mairose said.
Back in the foster homes, the dogs do have the baggage of the commercial breeding industry. Most will need additional care to deal with eye, skin and ear infections as well as other health problems. But injuries and behavior can improve in a loving home.
"You can tell that she loves scratches," Woolard said.
In Sailor's case, two days have already made a difference towards her new beginning.
"The future looks amazing. She's doing great already. She's learning every day," Woolard said.
The bulldogs will get veterinary treatment and work with their foster families before they are placed for adoption. Any additional donations to the GoFundMe site will now be used to pay for medical bills and future auctions.
To help, go to https://www.gofundme.com/shhbulldogs
