ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ-TV) — Eighteen toy breeds are now one step closer to finding happy, healthy homes after spending their first years trapped inside wire cages.
The dogs are among 83 taken from a home in St. Clair Township after animal control in St. Clair County received a tip of possible neglect in early November.
“All the dogs that were severely matted have all been shaved and their toenails have all been cut so that they can walk and feel the floor," said Erika Stroman, director of St. Clair County Animal Control.
Sunday, volunteers spent hours at the Humane Society of St. Clair County (SNAP) performing procedures to spay or neuter the dogs for free.
Some of the dogs in the worst shape, elderly dogs with serious dental disease, were taken to Serenity Animal Hospital in Sterling Heights. All of the rescued dogs have survived and are expected to live full lives.
FOLLOW-UP: Remember the 83 dogs seized from a suspected puppy mill in St. Clair Township earlier this month? Today, 18 of them were spayed/neutered, making them one step closer to finding happy, healthy forever homes. We're live on @wxyzdetroit at 6 with the details. pic.twitter.com/hxvU9P7ELo
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) November 17, 2019
"The sadness of them never knowing what it’s like to be loved and be a pet, and the sadness or the happiness with Thanksgiving coming, being thankful that they will not lead the lives that possibly their parents did. Couldn’t have had a better present," said SNAP Executive Director Sandra Kilby.
The woman suspected of running a puppy mill in St. Clair Township was known to animal control before, Stroman said.
They're pushing for felony charges of animal neglect and abuse. There's currently no word yet on formal charges against her.
"A lot of these animals, and especially these that we’re working with today they’ve never known a home, they’ve never known a solid floor, they’ve never known love, they don’t know what it’s like to be held," Kilby said.
The dogs range in age from around 14 weeks up to 10 years. Humane Society of St. Clair County (SNAP) will begin accepting adoption applications for the dogs on Monday.
Click here for more information, or to support the Humane Society of St. Clair County
