An amazing team effort

A team of UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers is currently in Missouri caring for approximately 400 dogs seized in a multi-state dogfighting raid on July 8. It was the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history. The case is highly confidential, so we are unable to post photos and share much information about the animals. But please real below for some insight from the UAN staff and volunteers in the field. We will continue to post updates as we are able.

Submitted by UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies

We always say no two deployments are alike. This holds true for this deployment even more so than any other I have been involved in. Due to the strict confidentiality issues still in place, we can’t discuss many aspects of where we are or what we’re doing.

When I ask the EARS volunteers how they’re feeling or how they would describe their experiences, the most common comments are happy, heartbroken, sad, proud, privileged and, most often, exhausted.

The volunteers have been doing an absolutely amazing job of taking care of these guys and making sure shelter operations are running smoothly and efficiently. Not an easy task when they are caring for more than 400 dogs with very specific needs and limitations. The training and skills the EARS volunteers bring to the table make this a possibility. It could not have happened with out them.

The one thing that is really standing out is the ability of the EARS volunteers to "go with the flow" and react quickly. Circumstances are continually changing and we all have to stop and rethink our systems. A crisis comes up and everyone either helps accordingly or just stays out of the way. The value of the volunteers is evident to the many other agencies here and is commented on often. The EARS volunteers are focused, on alert, communicative, capable of following very specific protocols and directions, and working, working, working continuously to do what they can to help. It takes a very special person to come into this and be able to deal with it emotionally and physically. We are all having a hard time, but still getting the job done, and not just adequately….but exceptionally.

This shelter, this seizure, this historical incident would not be possible without these people. I can only imagine how difficult it must be coming from regular life and getting thrown into this extraordinary situation. I am grateful to The Humane Society of Missouri, The Humane Society of the United States, all of the other agencies involved, and especially our donors and supporters for enabling us to be here. Again, I am honored to be a part of the UAN team and to have worked alongside these compassionate, dedicated and special people.

The case is highly confidential, so we are unable to post photos and share much information about the animals.

But you can see ten of the dogs who were rescued in this video made by The Humane Society of the United States.

The dust is starting to settle

Submitted by EARS Roxanne Quinlan of Austin, Texas

This morning was really exciting. We moved the last section of dogs out of the giant airline carriers and into cages. It was great finally being able to glance in and see how they were doing without having to crawl on the floor! To me, it seems like the dogs are finally starting to settle in. At first, lots of them were just afraid when you came to their cage. But now they get excited when they smell the food, and recognize that we are here to make them feel more comfortable. We still have a bunch of them who just freeze when we take them out to clean their cages. But even they are getting better: Now when you walk by, they sometimes tentatively wag their tails, and come to the front to get some love.

A new group of volunteers arrived, and even after the short time we've been here, it was great to have some new blood. I feel like I'm so tired, that I can barely remember my name, let alone what day it is! Today was frustrating for me, since as we set up cages, we kick up a bit of dust. Today I reacted to something that made it hard for me to breathe. I hate to not help the team, but Andy (EARS Field Leader) and I agreed that perhaps I should take a break. So I sat in the hotel room until the dust cleared, and Andy called me back to take care of my babies!

When you have a problem like this on a deployment, your mind wants to continue, but the body does not cooperate, which is frustrating. But the team leader is there to look after every member of the team, so we can look after the animals, and I think it was a good idea for me to take a break and recharge.

I'm much better now, after a two-hour break. And despite my short absence, the animals still received quality care from my teammates. One for all and all for one!

Puppy mill: Closed until further notice

Submitted by EARS Field Leader Andy Bass of Pompano Beach, Florida

On this, the third day after the seizure, almost 30 volunteers from United Animal Nations (UAN), the Humane Society of North Texas and local convergents continue to care for almost 500 dogs rescued from the abominable conditions at the Maggic Pets/Heddins Ranch. Thanks to the care of these dedicated volunteers who have been putting in 17-hour days since Tuesday, the painful medical problems and cowering spirits of the dogs have given way to happy tail wagging and belly-rub opportunities.

Having had a taste of human compassion rather than mercenary greed is bringing the poor creatures out of their solitude for the first time in their lives. Fear has taken a backseat to appreciation of the human species, and the dogs are learning that life can be a pleasure rather than a curse.

Although they are still unsure of the future, the dogs are eager to learn that being a dog can be a good thing, with the right help. And they are slowly learning to trust the humans and maybe, just maybe, believe that there is a loving, forever home waiting for them.

Due to the fact that the court hearing is not until later next week, I cannot provide photos or give you specific information on the dogs at this time. But I can tell you they are very thankful that we volunteers have come into their lives. Never again will these furbabies live in a wire rabbit hutch or be banished to a weed-filled crate hidden from view on a back-lot in sweltering 100-degree temperatures simply to churn out "product" to be sold to anyone with an Internet connection or a fat wallet. Never again will they be used to produce what we used to call mix-breed mutts, but which the millers now call "designer dogs," just to fill the coffers of an unscrupulous breeder. And never again will young puppies be ripped from their mothers to be displayed and stocked in the neighborhood pet store, simply to make a profit.

In my previous report, I had said that we have 475 dogs in the shelter. Just before we closed tonight, that number increased, as a pregnant American Eskimo gave birth to seven premature puppies. And since we have 12 other pregnant mothers, I expect the number to well exceed 500 before the court date on July 17. Although the owners intend to fight the charges in court, they are already acknowledging the truth on their Web site with a front page banner stating "Closed until further notice."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Finally, love and kindness

Submitted by EARS Field Leader Andy Bass of Pompano Beach, Florida

Day 2 of the puppy mill seizure has come to an end and the EARS team deserves a rest after dealing with 100 degree + temperatures, not to mention the 476 dogs retrieved from Montague County, Texas.

Check out the news items presented by Fox 4 News of Fort Worth.

Although about 100 animals are in relatively good shape, the "sample dogs" the public were allowed to see were covering up the real story of the Heddins Ranch. Almost 400 additional dogs, the "breeding" stock were hidden away in out buildings and in the dense overgrowth of weeds on different parts of the 1,200- acre property. Many of these dogs have mange, and others have a myriad of medical problems, including atrophied eyes, severe matting, flea infestation and earmites -- the list is almost as large as the varieties of dogs offered for sale.

Additionally, EARS volunteers are caring for dozens of newborn puppies, as well as a dozen pregnant females ready to give birth in the next few days.

Over 30 volunteers, including almost 20 EARS volunteers, have answered the call to bring these poor creatures out of crisis and into the care long overdue. Our volunteers have defied temps in the 100s and will continue until the court appearance, scheduled for July 17. For now, we are tasked with providing care, shelter, and most important, love and kindness for the first time in these animals' lives. And the fruits of our labor are already being seen. The fear and anxiety is already giving way to a more peaceful and kind existence.

Beginning tomorrow, local volunteers will begin to work side by side with our trained volunteers to learn how to care for these animals if the owner chooses to fight this in court. Should the judge rule in favor of the dogs, they will be released to rescue groups statewide for rehabilitation and placement through adoptions.

Please stay tuned for more info from the field as the situation unfolds.

EARS volunteers assisting in largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history

UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers are caring for more than 150 dogs seized from suspected dogfighting operations in Missouri and Illinois.

Read UAN's press release.

Read a news story about the raid.

Read more about the raid from the Humane Society of Missouri and acting U.S. Attorney Michael Reap.

500 dogs rescued from Texas puppy mill

More than 50 volunteers worked diligently through the holiday weekend and into the night at a temporary shelter in Fort Worth, Texas, preparing for the arrival of nearly 500 dogs rescued today from a Montague County puppy mill after a warrant was served by the Montague County Sheriff’s department. The animals will be cared for by the Humane Society of North Texas with the assistance of volunteers with United Animal Nations's Emergency Animal Rescue Service.

Read a news article about the seizure.

Please revisit the blog for more updates as this situation progresses.

Freedom for puppy mill dogs!

The 371 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Kennewick, Washington are now en route to new and better lives! Over the weekend the dogs were transferred to other animal shelters and rescue groups in the Pacific Northwest, where they will be placed in foster care and adopted into new homes.
UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies reported that the dogs are not nearly as fearful and withdrawn as they were when they first arrived at the temporary shelter a few days ago. Under the volunteers' care, they are learning to trust people.

"Many are approaching the front of the cage, looking for attention, and they’re eating, drinking and napping," she said. "They have begun to show interest in us rather than hiding their heads in the corner of their kennels. There are many more waggin tails today than yesterday."

The following shelters have started accepting dogs:

Spokane Humane Society
Spokane County Regional Animal Protection (SCRAPS)
SpokAnimal Care
Blue Mountain Humane Society (Walla Walla)
Humane Society for Seattle-King County (Bellevue)
Multnomah County Animal Control
American Eskimo Heart Bandits
Oregon Humane Society (Portland)
Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) (Lynnwood)