Animal League America partners with other animal welfare groups to conduct Puppy Mills Rescues — rescues that pull animals out of the cruel and inhumane conditions of commercial breeding facilities in various parts of the country— often rescuing these animals from imminent destruction.

What’s So Cruel About Puppy Mills?

As we walk by the window of the pet shop in town, all we see are the cute little puppies. What we don’t see are the large, inhumane breeding operations that supply so many pet stores across the U.S. Breeding operations put profit over animal welfare, imprisoning female dogs to breed litter after litter, without proper medical care or human contact.

The conditions in many of these mills are indescribably cruel — many of the puppy mill dogs we rescue have never been cared for, have never been outside a cage, have never been held or felt grass under their feet.  All they know are the close, cramped cages that confine them day after day, year after year.

These breeding mother dogs may suffer from genetic problems or chronic medical neglect, arriving at our facility with health problems that our team of veterinarians and behaviorists assess and treat.

Read About Our Rescue Efforts

In a recent collaboration with National Mill Dog Rescue, North Shore Animal League America saved 53 small breed dogs from the inhumane conditions of commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. The rainy morning of their arrival did not dampen the spirits of all the volunteers, who were enthusiastically waiting to greet the survivors. These resilient canines – including Shih Tzus, Cavapoos, mini Australian Shepherds, Labradoodles, French Bulldogs, Maltese and Havanese – were carried off our Mobile Rescue Unit and into the safety of our Port Washington adoption center to start their new life.
On a crisp spring morning, the North Shore Animal League America’s Mobile Rescue Unit arrived carrying 43 dogs and puppies saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest. The canines, mostly seniors, were subjected to lives of neglect and hardship, but now have a second chance to experience love and kindness.
Fifty-one dogs and puppies saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest arrived at North Shore Animal League America this week, thanks to our partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue. It was a journey from fear and neglect to hope and healing. Many of the rescued dogs spent their past lives confined; never experienced a gentle touch or soft grass beneath their paws. Now they have a second chance for a better future.
North Shore Animal League America recently embarked on a lifesaving mission in collaboration with partner National Mill Dog Rescue; driving our Mobile Rescue Unit to Missouri to pick up 26 small breed dogs who were saved from Midwest commercial breeding facilities. The dogs traveling to our Port Washington, NY campus included breeds such as Maltese, Dachshunds, Labradoodles, Pomeranians and Shih Tzus. What set this rescue apart was the higher number of puppies and younger canines compared to previous commercial breeding rescues.
North Shore Animal League America completed another collaborative rescue mission this October with partner National Mill Dog Rescue, saving 47 dogs and puppies from commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Encompassing a variety of primarily small breeds from poodles to corgis, the canines arrived at our Port Washington campus in dire need of extensive care after lives spent in cramped cages, devoid of nurturing.
Despite days of challenging weather, our Rescue Team persevered to reach the more than 50 dogs saved from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest. Working in partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, they transported dogs and puppies – including Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Spaniels, Yorkies, Poodles and Shepherd mixes – via our Mobile Rescue Unit to the safety of our Port Washington, NY campus. These precious canines, who were cruelly cast aside and at risk of being euthanized, are now getting a new beginning and the care they deserve.
Thanks to our ongoing partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, now 50 dogs and puppies have a second chance at life after being saved from commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. Witnessing this mission firsthand was Animal League America staff member and designer David Haliski. Usually capturing photographs of transport arrivals to our Port Washington, NY campus, this time David traveled with rescue team members Ted Moriates and Karla Agostinello on the Mobile Unit to Missouri and back.
As the temperatures dipped into single digits for the first time this year, our dedicated volunteers awaited the arrival of 50 small breed dogs — including Yorkies, Maltese, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers and Corgis — who were rescued from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest.
In partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, the Animal League America Mobile Rescue Unit traveled to the Midwest to save 57 small breed dogs and puppies who had been living in deplorable conditions. The commercial breeding facility that had been their home was being shut down by government authorities.
The lifesaving work of North Shore Animal League America does not rest. Just weeks from rescuing 40 dogs from commercial breeders in the Midwest, our Rescue Team made another trip westward and returned with more than 50 dogs and puppies from Kansas-area breeding facilities.
Finally safe and sound, a striking array of dogs and puppies descended the steps of the Animal League America Mobile Rescue Unit on Sunday, November 14, 2021, into the welcoming arms of our volunteers. In all, 48 incredible animals – no longer unwanted – arrived to have their lives transformed.
On Saturday, May 15, 48 dogs and two puppies rescued from commercial breeders in the Midwest arrived to our Port Washington, NY campus. As one-by-one, a variety of dogs — including many Poodles, Pomeranians, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and Yorkies — made their way into the gentle hands of our volunteers to be carried inside, you could see a common feature in all their faces. They were ready to accept a tender touch. Whether shy, or confidently seeking attention, it was clear each dog was grateful for the kindness and compassion we were there to give.
More than 100 mostly small breed dogs and puppies arrived on our Port Washington, NY campus with our Rescue Team on two Mobile Rescue Units, filled to capacity, this past weekend. They were rescued from awful conditions in Missouri and Oklahoma through a large-scale collaborative effort with National Mill Dog Rescue and five local animal welfare organizations.
North Shore Animal League America’s Mobile Rescue Team huddled through tornado alerts with blaring sirens and then faced snow and below-freezing temperatures during their seven-state trip to rescue mill dogs and puppies in a collaborative effort with our partner, National Mill Dog Rescue.
At North Shore Animal League America, our no-kill mission knows no season. Rather, it is a year-round commitment to every dog, cat, puppy and kitten in need. As temperatures were dropping our Rescue Team met up in Missouri with our partners at National Mill Dog Rescue to help bring 43 dogs and puppies, who were rescued from the horrors and inhumane conditions of commercial breeding facilities, to the love and safety of our Port Washington, NY campus.
North Shore Animal League America has once again joined forces with National Mill Dog Rescue to save the lives of innocent animals living in cruel and inhumane conditions. This time, the collaborative rescue efforts helped to pull 57 dogs and puppies from various commercial breeding facilities in Oklahoma and Missouri.
With the help of National Mill Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization based in Peyton, Colorado, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating discarded breeding dogs, Animal League America was able to change the world of 53 deserving animals this past weekend.
In collaboration with National Mill Dog Rescue we were able to free these animals from lives of overbreeding and inhumanity and provide a better tomorrow.