Over 150 dogs relinquished by Midwest breeding businesses are getting a second chance through a coordinated rescue effort involving shelters along the East Coast.
Here's what to know
With room to take in dogs, Virginia's Charlottesville-Albemarle Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has joined the effort.
SPCA employees went to the Midwest to support the Bissell Pet Foundation and National Mill Dog Rescue with the operation, according to 29News. Some of the dogs were expected to arrive in Charlottesville on Saturday.
The surrender involves several dog-breeding businesses. Jessica Taylor, who manages marketing for the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, confirmed that more than 150 dogs were being surrendered, though a final total was still pending.
Adoption will not be immediately available for the dogs sent to Charlottesville, which is taking in only a portion of the group.
More background
No single reason explains the businesses' decisions to surrender dogs.
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"Some of them are closing business, some of them are scaling back, and some of them are just not able to sell the dogs," Taylor said, according to 29News.
Shelters can end up caring for more animals because of fewer pet adoptions, unplanned litters, and the increasing cost of veterinary care.
Taylor pointed to spay and neuter programs as a way to manage animal populations, while noting that breeding can increase overpopulation when shelter animals still need homes. Commercial breeders produce dogs for profit.
What's being done?
Vaccinations and examinations are part of the pre-travel work SPCA staff and veterinarians are carrying out for the dogs, 29News reported.
Safe air travel for the animals also requires health certificates and transport documents, which the team is putting together.
The Bissell Pet Foundation draws on shelter partners across the country, among them the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. For large rescue operations, the foundation asks those partners to help.
"We're fortunately in a position right now where we have some space that we could support this mission," Taylor said, according to 29News.
Where can I learn more?
Rescuing a large group of dogs takes shelter space, transportation, and adoptive homes.
• In southern Missouri, rescuers saved 86 dogs from breeders during Operation Eclipse.
• In Alberta, officers rescued 97 small-breed dogs, marking the SPCA's largest intake ever.
• In Florida, a 24-hour trip moved 22 shelter dogs out of Hurricane Isaias' path.
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