TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A local rescue took in more than a dozen dogs who were rescued from a puppy mill. The rescuers described the conditions of the dogs as deplorable. But, in just a matter of days, they have made significant progress.
What started as a mission to take in two dogs from a puppy mill quickly expanded as the rescue group, Operation Saves, ended up taking in more than 16 dogs. Thanks to the kindness of many people, those dogs are beginning their next chapter.
“We knew we had to help. We couldn’t leave them. So, we made the three-hour trek back with 16 dogs,” Katrina Pope-Young, a co-founder of Operation Saves, said.
“Most of these dogs live in tiny cages that are like chicken coops with four or five dogs per kennel, it’s really sad,” Pope-Young said. “They are bred back to back to back and when they can no longer be bred, then they are discarded.”
Pope-Young said the dogs were in bad shape, many were stained with urine and feces and had open sores.
“You cry a lot. It’s sad. When you first get them in, you’re in action mode. You want all of them taken care of, but you often sob the whole time, it’s tough,” Pope-Young said.
The dogs arrived in Toledo Monday.
“When the Jeep pulled up, you had to swallow your tears and go hands-on,” volunteer Shelbie Darah said. “Operation Saves is a small group with a big heart.”
Saving the lives of these animals has been a lot of work. But, those involved said it is well worth it. The dogs have already started to adjust to their new surroundings.
“You want to hold and hug them and it’s sad because you get dogs who have never been held before,” Darah said.
Like most shelters and rescues around the country, Operation Saves is usually at capacity.
“We went from seeing 15-20 dogs a month to right now, we’ve taken in 30 dogs in the last 25 days and that is a lot for a small non-profit,” Pope-Young said. “I think we need to start calling for action for those mills and large-scale backyard breeders. The rescuers can’t keep up. I usually go home thinking I didn’t do enough. But I know we’re doing all we can, but it is never enough.”
Pope-Young said Operation Saves has taken in about 200 puppy mill dogs in the last two years. She said a number of other Northwest Ohio rescues also take in mill dogs. In fact, three other Toledo area rescues stepped up and took in eight of the 16 dogs Operation Saves rescued this week.
To learn more about Operation Saves, click here.
Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals
Copyright 2025 WTVG. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
