Estrie Puppy Mill Rescue Nets Over 200 Dogs

Humane Society International/Canada and the Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food rescued over 200 dogs and puppies from a puppy mill located in the Estrie region of Quebec. The rescued dogs include a variety of small breeds, including bichons and Pomeranians.

Ewa Demianowicz, campaign manager for HSI/Canada, said: "This has been one of the largest puppy mill raids in Quebec history. More than 200 dogs and puppies were trapped in this horrific facility, forced to live in barren cages amidst overwhelming ammonia fumes. These desperate dogs had skin and eye conditions, infections and matted fur. We are so thrilled to be rescuing these dogs and taking them to the safety of our emergency shelter. "

HSI Canada worked with MAPAQ and SPA Estrie to safely remove the dogs from the premises and transport them to an emergency shelter where they will receive veterinary treatment and care from staff and volunteers.

This is the fifth rescue in seven months by HSI/Canada and MAPAQ, and the second biggest in Quebec history.

FACTS

• In 2008, HSI/Canada assisted the Montreal SPCA in conducting three major seizures of dogs and puppies from Quebec puppy mills, under Canada's Criminal Code.
• In 2009, after massive public outcry regarding puppy mills and insufficient animal welfare standards in Quebec, the Quebec government pledged to address the crisis and launched a special companion animal task force to identify solutions to animal welfare problems in the Province.
• Since 2011, HSI/Canada has assisted the Quebec government in the rescue of animals from inhumane conditions in breeding facilities and hoarding situations, including 527 dogs and puppies from Canada's largest puppy mill.
• In June 2012, the Quebec government adopted Bill 51, an act to amend the Provincial Animal Health Protection Act, which improves the safety and welfare standards of companion animals in Quebec.
• Quebec has little enforcement capacity, largely due to a lack of donations and government funding for the SPCAs and SPAs. To address this problem, HSI Canada has proposed a one percent tax on pet products sold in Quebec, which would generate in excess of $8 million for enforcement purposes annually. Polling shows 73 percent of Quebeckers support this plan.

Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, with active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation, farm animal welfare and animals in research. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International which, together with its partners, constitutes one of the world's largest animal protection organizations. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide - on the Web at www.hsicanada.ca