“Paws R US” one of Canada’s Largest Puppy Mills is out of Business – 8 Weimaraners SAVED
“Paws R US” one of Canada’s Largest Puppy Mills is out of Business –
8 Weimaraners SAVED
By Liette Fadden WAC National Rescue Coordinator
In Nov. 2011, I was contacted by Deb Wilson, WAC member and founder of “Ontario Weimaraner Rescue and Assist” (OWRAssist). She’d been contacted by Humane Society International (HSI) because there were 8 Weimaraners that had been recovered from a puppy-mill raid near Shawville, Quebec (about one hour northwest of Ottawa) on September 16th, 2011. She was being asked to prepare to find foster homes for these dogs as they waiting for court case which would decide if the dogs could be returned to the owners of the commercial dog breeding kennel “Paws R Us”. Paws R Us was a huge operation – the owners had been former hog farmers and had converted their hog barns into pens to raise dogs. They had over 30 breeds and although their website has been decommissioned, they are still listed under Google maps as “Quality puppies at affordable prices. Large and small breeds. Open to the public since 2000, over 15,000 visitors, shipping available”.
I don’t think I need to go into the problems with this advertisement – it is pretty clear what these people were about – certainly not keeping the dogs best interests or improving the breeds they bred. They did not register their puppies with the CKC; they did not genetically test their breeding dogs. They had been investigated several times but each time improved whatever they’d been cited for. It wasn’t until Sept 16th when a warrant was obtained, were the HSI finally able to confiscate ALL the dogs. Imagine the magnitude of seizing and recording each dog, finding cages and places to keep them all, vetting those that needed medical attention (and there were many) and then physically care for them for over 2 months while the owners waited to have their day in court. (Remember, we’re all innocent until proven guilty in this country).
It all had to be done quietly as the Humane Society was only acting on behalf of the Quebec Government (Anima-Quebec) and did not really have full custody or rights to find homes for the dogs until the court case was decided.
Finding foster homes quickly for 8 Weimaraners is a tall order at the best of times and Deb asked WAC Rescue if we could help. I contacted the WAC Board to make sure WAC was supportive of helping out with potential expenses and they unanimously agreed to support this endeavour. Next I contacted our WAC Rescue coordinators in Quebec, Maritimes and Ontario to ask them to get approved foster homes in the event that we needed them. However, it’s difficult to find foster homes at the best of times but asking them to blindly take in dogs that we knew nothing about (age, sex, physical condition, temperament, and behaviour issues) is really asking a lot. I contacted some of my known and trusted contacts as the coordinators did the same – all the while giving virtually no details (because we had none!) and trying to keep things as quiet as possible as the Humane Society asked.
The court case against the owners of the kennel was settled on Nov. 24th – the owners plead guilty to charges of animal cruelty and neglect and in return relinquished ownership of over 500 dogs in order to avoid their astronomical vet and boarding fees that had accumulated in the 2 months leading up to the court decision. This meant that Anima-Quebec (a division of their Ministry of Agriculture/Food/Fishing) now had full custody of the dogs (aka “the evidence”) and gave HSI authority to start adopting and finding foster homes for the dogs. The dogs had largely been kept at a temporary shelter constructed at a secret location that even volunteers helping at the shelter, could not divulge. I did eventually hear from a couple of Weim people that they’d been helping at the shelter and the adult Weims they saw appeared to be in good condition although quite frightened. The puppies were featured in a news clip and they appeared to be healthy, happy and normal pups.
Finally we had the news we had all hoped for – it meant the dogs could now legally be placed with Rescue groups instead of being housed in a temporary shelter. Deb was still trying desperately to get more answers about the Weimaraners – originally she had been told that a foster home was needed for a dam and her puppies as a priority. Eventually, she did learn that there were 5 adults and 3 puppies (who had been born after either just before the seizure or shortly after but no longer with the dam). Deb was in contact with HSI but they had so many dogs to deal with, so many other Rescue groups also on standby to take dogs,– it was crazy – emails and phone calls back and forth! Plus the liaison did not work in the same physical location as where the dogs were held so she could not answer any questions about the Weimaraners themselves and their temperaments, ages, sex or what physical condition they were in. She was told that the dogs would be spayed/neutered prior to being released to Rescues and they would try to do that as quickly as possible.
At that point, we were able to make a more widespread plea for assistance and I was so pleased with the outpouring of support we received as we started to line up transport and fostering. Even though many people were not in the position to physically take any dogs, they were willing to help in other ways or even donate money. I would like to thank all of you who responded to our emails – it is so nice to know there are many Weim and dog-lovers out there who want to see these dogs get another chance at a better life. Weimaraner owners are a dedicated group!
Finally, Deb got the word that the dogs were going to a shelter for “observation” on Monday Nov. 28th and would be fixed on Wed. Nov. 30th and ready to be picked up on Thursday Dec. 1st. At that point, we were told there were 5 adults -3 females, 2 males and 3 pups. We contacted those who had committed to helping with transport and fostering to give them what little details we had.
Finally, we had lined up the Tieszer family, Carolyn Nickle, Dagmar Teubner, Catherine Sampson, Al and Elaine Freeland, Tracy Freeland, the Voegelin family, the Godfrey family and OWRAssist had a home for one female. We had Patricia and Elaine and Al Freeland willing to do the pickup from the SPCA shelter and Shelly and Troy were going to keep the dogs overnight at their kennel. The next day (Friday Dec. 2nd), Shelly happened to be driving to Barrie for the weekend and was able to take several dogs at once towards central Ontario which saved a ton of arranging and worry. What a lucky break for us! We even figured out which family would get which dog keeping in mind the sex of the dogs and the dogs they already had in their families in order to make things as easy as possible. All appeared to be in place and going smoothly …up to that point.
The day before Patricia and the Freelands were going to pick up the dogs north of Montreal (about 2.5 hrs from Ottawa), Deb heard from HSI that there were only 5 dogs being released…2 females, 1 male and 2 male puppies. Apparently, the SPCA and HSI had placed dogs on their own and this was never communicated to us. While it was good news on one hand, we had to again change the plans and cancel some of our excellent foster homes at the last minute. Catherine, Al, Elaine and Krista, we truly appreciate your willingness, flexibility and understanding in dealing with this situation!!
Finally, Thursday Dec 1st arrived and the Freelands set out to pick up the 2 male puppies while Patricia picked up the 3 adults with the use of Shelly’s “Weim-mobile”. Because the HSI would not release the dogs to anyone without being fixed first, WAC Rescue and OWRAssist had to pay for the spay/neuters at the SPCA in St.Agathe-des-Monts but what a bargain at $125 for neuter and $160 for spay – try to get that deal at your own vet! It was less than ideal having the dogs fixed on Wednesday and then picked up and “redistributed” the next day but we had no choice. The SPCA was waiting to get another batch of dogs to fix and send them to other groups as soon as possible. Even the 12-14 week old pups were neutered – again, not ideal but we were at the mercy of the HSI and their policies.
The pups travelled perfectly with the Freelands and one pup went home with them for their daughter Tracy while the other pup went to the Voegelins.
Patricia returned from the SPCA to Shelly and Troy’s around 8 pm and got them settled in the kennel. She had a long day as she waited for the dogs to be released. The SPCA was quite overwhelmed with all the dogs, paperwork and Rescue groups coming and going but was very nice and good with the dogs. The next morning Shelly left for Barrie and left the 2 females with Dagmar in Toronto. As it turned out the Tieszer’s had an appointment in Toronto that day (they live in London, Ont.) so they picked up their foster-female now named “Elsa” from Dagmar’s. The other female was named eventually named “Sadie” and was going to her adoptive home at the end of the weekend. Until then, she was at Dagmar’s where she was largely supported and cared for by Dagmar’s dogs – Weim “Diva” and Malinois “Valour”.
The last adult male was “Tommy” and he continued the journey with Shelly to Bradford where he met his foster mom Carolyn and his travel journey ended.
However, the journey is not over for these dogs as they learn what life in a warm, comfortable house with a family of humans, dogs and other pets is like. While, they suffered from lack of muscle tone, poor nutrition, splayed feet – they seemed to be in remarkably good health and all have since received clean bills of health.
Mentally, they are getting better every day as they learn to trust the world around them. They all displayed such wonderful, trusting temperaments – never any aggression despite the fear they displayed at times of things that our own dogs take for granted like grass under their feet, climbing stairs, car rides, men (the caregivers at PawsRUs must have largely been female). They didn’t really know what toys are for or how to play with them– what’s like to run off leash and sniff all the great smells in the yard, or what’s it’s like to go for a car ride to the park. All that has changed for them as they strengthen physically and mentally. The other dogs in the family have all helped them see that people can be trusted and life is fun – and nothing beats a good back rub by a kind person.
Presumably, one of the pups and two adults were adopted and are in good homes – the HSI and SPCA had many applicants and I understand the dogs were adopted by volunteers and shelter workers. OWRAssist’s “Sadie” has been permanently adopted by her foster family. WAC’s two puppies were adopted by the Freelands. Al and Elaine were hoping to foster/adopt an adult female but were excited to adopt Hunter. Their daughter Tracy adopted the other pup she has named “Bender”. The pups are having a fabulous time with the Freelands and their dogs and each other – life could not be any better for these two!
Just recently, the Tieszer family made it official and adopted “Elsa” – adding another Weim to their family. “Kaiser” officially has a new sister! In Deb Tieszer’s words – “We are pretty in love with her and love having her in our family. We couldn’t imagine asking her to leave…”
“Tommy” remains with Carolyn and family and their Weims “Oliver” and “Hannah”. They continue to work with him to expose him to new people/places/pets and build up his trust in men. He has is quickly learning to ask to go outside (although you have to be pretty astute and quick!). We have several applicants in mind for him and are starting to discuss his placement. Rest assured we will find him the perfect home where he is loved, valued and pampered – like all dogs deserve.
The HELL of life at the puppy mill is over for these dogs thanks to stricter legislation, a legion of animal welfare groups, volunteers and OWRAssist and WAC Rescue members. Eight Weimaraners are in homes were they belong – now let’s keep working to shutdown commercial dog breeding facilities so that no dog has to know the life that these dogs have lived…