Virginia Beach SPCA asks for help with 100 rescued puppies

I volunteer at VBSPCA and was just there this morning helping with the dogs. Who says we can only take dogs from VB? So we're only supposed to care about those who are in our backyard? It doesn't matter where they're from, a dog in need deserves care! And none of you would be griping if you'd seen the HORRIBLE shape they were in. We fed them, bathed them, gave them everything they've been missing (some of them for YEARS it seems from the older dogs). Yes it was crowded and supplies were short, but we've made it work. I can't speak on behalf of the entire SPCA because I'm just one volunteer but, to me, it was worth it. If you don't like the thought of the shelter being crowded, well then YOU come in and do some work so that we can get them into good homes. Then tell legislators the puppy mills need more regulation or else face abolishment. That'd be loads more helpful than complaints!

You've got to be kidding me. One does not buy a poorly bred pet from a pet store because "it was there." And not blame the pet store or the breeders. That's like buying a real fur coat and then saying "well, it was already in the window, somebody had to buy it." Irresponsible!!! Although the VBSPCA is sometimes difficult to deal with when adopting, I believe they have the best intentions in mind. This comes from adopting my own pets from there and it was not a fun experience, but I got wonderful pets so it was worth it. Hopefully they haven't taken on more than they could handle. Parvo is making another breakout with this change in the weather so lets hope the pups have some immunity. Lets remember that SPCA is for the "PROTECTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS." The volunteers and staff are there for the animals that have come upon unfortunate circumstances....Support them any way you can. I know I still will.

please let me me know what i have to do to adopt a dachshund, email me at mike@nria.org thanks for the help

VBSPCA is doing a GOOD thing. What are you teaching your kids by saying we shouldn't be going outside our state to offer assitance. Shame on all of you! Do your heart a favor and GO VOLUNTEER. These animals don't need your words, they need you help!!

Some people have commented that it was none of the SPCA's concern to pick up animals from another state. The arguments range from - we have enough of our own animals to I donate to the SPCA and I am not paying for someone else's problems. Well you know what? It is everybody's problem. If you donate to VBSPCA then you should love animals enough to support the shelter's decision to rescue these animals. If you REALLY have a problem with the rescue of animals then maybe it is time to write to your local, state and federal representatives demanding that puppy mills be regulated. One of the only ways to do that is to get domestic animals off of the books as an agricultural commodity. I see so many people complaining in all of the comments of Pilot Articles - do us all a favor... either stand up and do something about the problems that you have issue with and stop hiding behind digital anonymity or stop complaining.

Besides the fact that West VA didn't take all of these puppies, I can't believe that the VBSPCA staff drove 9 hours and took 100 of the 1000 animals?! How many other VIRGINIA shelters took the dogs? Obviously this would create a huge overcrowding problem in ANY shelter that takes 100 animals (above what they already have!). I contribute regularly to the VBSPCA and am dumbfounded by this decision to take on 100 more animals, as are others. I appreciate that these poor puppies need help, who could deny them that? But this just creates another crisis situation that could have been avoided by not taking so many of the puppies. It also bothers me that the owners of this pupply mill get to just walk away from the mess they have created by saying they will "never do this again".

I'm all for helping animals in need, my family and I have a strict "pound puppy" policy. All four of the dogs we have ever owned have been shelter dogs. Norfolk SPCA, Chesapeake Animal Control and two from the Animal Assistance League. What irks me about the VB SPCA is it complains about crowding issues then takes on a huge amount of animals from somewhere else and begs for more help. They need to help the ones here at home first, like the ones from VB Animal Control, which they claim are in terrible conditions. They need to quit taking on more than they can handle, and stop throwing their unsolicited advice around.

I must admit that I feel sorry for these dogs, but everytime a Humane Society or SPCA decides to go out of state to take more animals, it means displacement of local animals. If it is true that 34 animals from the area were euthanized then they should be ashamed of themselves. These organizations are funded primarily by local citizens and should focus on the local community. How many other animals will not be able to find shelter at VBSPCA because there is "no room at the inn"? In addition, to ask for resources from the community to care for these animals also seems contradictory to the focus of the organization. Could some of these resources/supplies be used to help keep animals in the homes of those in our own community who are suffering from the current economic downturn? I am all for helping these animals if you have empty cages and extra resources.

Nxel, please don't think I look down on pet shop dogs...quite the opposite! It's not the dog's fault he's there. In fact, the best cat I ever owned came from a pet shop, but that was 25 years ago. Naive me listened to them telling me she was one of a litter who wasn't show quality. My emotions got the best of me and I way overpaid for her, but she of course was priceless to me and lived to a ripe old age of 18.

My issue with pet shops starts with the irresponsible breeders who care for nothing but their profit. Mass-producing these animals perpetuates the problem of thousands of abandoned and unwanted pets. The breeders are supposed to be regulated/inspected by the USDA but it's poorly controlled. Stopping the practice of selling to pet shops will put these breeders out of business. And those of you who are skeptical of the SPCA, try rescue organizations.

You are kidding right? I donated to the LOCAL SPCA to help take care of animals in Va Beach and now I read (as if we don't already have a problem of over-crowding) that we are drving to WV to take on more responsibilities? OMG when will this madness end??????? I would love to know who OK'd this?

I see many comments stating that "I would never get an animal from a breeder or a pet shop". Well, I would never get another animal from the SPCA. I adopted 2 cats as kittens about 3 years ago from the Virginia Beach facility on Holland. Each cat was terribly sick, and it took me about $1200 in emergency vet visits and follow up care to get them back to health. Three out of four vets I talked to stated that the SPCAs practice of spading and neutering based on weight is terrible, and leads to many becoming ill. When I attempted to contact the SPCA, I got terrible advice, being told to mix a little wet cat food with the dry for a kitten who didnt have the strength to lift its head. I then wrote a letter to the board, and received no response. If one would have went in to the Holland facility 3 years ago, youd see that it was run no different the the average puppy/kitten mill.

Its amazing. So much CAN be done by each and every citizen in these United States IF they CHOOSE to do so..........

I went to local shelter and got a cage and have caught and taken to SPCA 6 adult stray cats and 2 kittens. The potential for FUTURE strays just dropped by a significant %.

I even found a 10 day old abandoned kitten in my garage which I kept. Bottle fed the lil booger for 6 weeks and now he is the most amazing companion anyone could want. I think finding him @ SUCH a young age formed a bond that normally would never have happened.

PS: I make sure ALL my pets are spayed/nuetered as soon as they come of age.

I purchased a beautiful mini dauschund from Pet Palace in Pembroke Mall. He had been there 7 months and no one wanted him beacuse they did understand his markings. He is part short haired, part long haired, brown and balck with white dapple. He is the best dog EVER, so please don't look down on pet shop dogs, they need "rescuing" too!

I have the greatest dog in the world, courtesy of the Virginia Beach SPCA. We brought a terrific cat from there into our home as well. I would never consider going to a mall when there are so many wonderful companions whose very lives hang in the balance. I encourage anyone wanting a pet to go to there FIRST! For those not in the know the shelter works to find suitable homes for more than dogs and cats. Want a rabbit? Hamster? Check them out, FIRST!

If you are on a tight budget and wish to help them with in this noble endeavor there are ways that won't break the household budget. My wife and I routinely pick up a bag or 2 of laundry; take it home, wash it, and return the clean towels, toys, and bedding to the VA BCH SPCA. For about $5, you can go to Walmart and buy them a bag of bulk kitty-litter. Or perhaps laundry detergent (the pets do not care that it is a generic brand).

If a lot of people do just a little bit, a lot

these poor animals. im a dachshund lover and to see that picture of that little puppy breaks my heart. i have six little dach's at home. if i could i would adopt all those little weiner dogs.

I'm glad they were able to rescue the puppies. Unfortunately, I have a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to the SPCA. I know that they need to take all of the measures to make sure the animal is going to a good home, BUT they put you through the ringer to do it. I just don't understand how these anumals need homes really bad and if nobody adopts them, they're put to sleep but yet, they want to make you jump through hoops to do it ??? It doesn't make sense to me. I think they could relax a little bit on the adoption process. THESE ANIMLAS NEED HOMES, I understand good ones but, they have to ease up just a little bit.

After reading your story about the rescue of 100 puppies from a puppy farm in WV, I thought to myself, "how can I help?" You really should have printed the address which to send a donation. I'm sure the VBSPCA is over burdened.

you cannot punish people for things like this because they will simply just put those animals in a bag and throw them off a bridge.

BW: Your question is somewhat valid, albeit naive and misplaced. The answer is simple: if a dog or cat has not been adopted within a reasonable timeframe, it probably won't. There aren't enough shelters to house these animals, so the more "adoptable" ones make the list. The SPCA is not a no-kill shelter--only you can prevent an animal's senseless death.

Perhaps you should visit Pet Go-Round and ask them "why" they sell mill dogs?

He looks just like my red dauschund did as a puppy

The whole abandoned pet thing is not shrinking, only growing year after year after year. The reasons no longer matter, the budgets can't keep up and harsh realities must be realized. Freeze and confiscate offender assets for sale.

I wish I could foster.

This is exactly why people should NEVER buy an animal from a pet store in the mall. If there wasn't such a demand, puppy and kitten mills would go out of business and this would never have happened.

I absolutely refuse patronize these kinds of pet stores. I think the selling of animals of any kind in pet stores should be illegal. That would take care of it.

We've already signed up to be foster parents!

If Hampton Roads SPCA's are over crowded and on the News asking for help then why are they going to WEST Virginia to take on even more dogs. I understand that West Virginia has come across a large group of dogs that were not being cared for but Virginia already has more than animals than it can handle. From what I have been told 34 dogs currently at the VaBch SPCA were put down to make room for these other dogs. Does not seem right in my opinion.

I have 3 dogs, 2 cats and a bird. I could never be mean or over bread them. It is just awful! I wanna adopt one of the dauchsaunds! They are adorable!

If you are able, please donate to the SPCA to help care for these animals.

http://vbspca.com

Virginia Beach has a first class operation at the VBSPCA. We adopted our dog there 12 years ago, and he is the kindest and most thoughtful animal I've ever met. He's a pure-bread dalmation that suffered in a puppy mill like the one in this story. He was so scared when we met him at the VBSPCA that he refused to leave his cage. He finally did, and in doing so he entered our hearts.

We don't live in Hampton Roads anymore, but I'm writing a check for the VBSPCA.

Please, please, please if you want a pet avoid buying from sleezy "breeders" and consider your local SPCA first. 100 million euthanized cats and dogs a year in the U.S. is a sinful statistic.