Several dogs rescued from an Iowa puppy mill soon will be put up for adoption at the Nebraska Humane Society after they are properly groomed and assessed.
The 10 Samoyed dogs and puppies seized Nov. 12 from a puppy mill near Manly, Iowa, arrived in Omaha on Tuesday. The shelter previously had received eight of the estimated 170 dogs authorities found in “filthy, dilapidated kennels” with “minimal protection from the weather,” said Pam Wiese, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Humane Society.
The dogs arrived at 5 p.m. Tuesday but aren’t yet available for adoption, Wiese said.
Humane Society workers will “begin our normal assessments of health and temperaments to see who is ready for adoption and who needs fostering or socializing,” Wiese said. “None of the dogs will be available for at least a few days.”
The Samoyeds are described as powerful and tireless animals originally bred by nomadic reindeer herders, according to the American Kennel Club. Their most delightful feature, a perpetual smile, has a practical function. The upturned corners of their mouths keep the dogs from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on the face. The AKC calls them “smart, social, mischievous dogs who demand love and attention.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is overseeing the rescue operation on the Iowa-Minnesota border at the request of Iowa’s Worth County Sheriff’s Office. Debris was found scattered throughout the property as volunteers worked to safely remove fearful and under-socialized dogs, Wiese said. Officials were alerted to the conditions by area residents who were concerned for the dogs.
The Nebraska Humane Society sent two behavior staff members to assist the ASPCA in relocating the dogs to an emergency shelter. A Nebraska Humane Society veterinarian helped with medical care.
