If you’ve seen a puppy mill, it’s hard to imagine a happily ever after, but  National Mill Dog Rescue (NMDR) of Colorado Springs has saved thousands of dogs from the horrific conditions of puppy mills, giving them a second chance at life in loving homes.   The focus of their most recent initiative is even more defined:  aiding the dogs that are suffering the most.

In order to support the efforts of NMDR to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home discarded breeding dogs, BISSELL Pet Foundation recently awarded $8,000 in grant funding to help with the specialized veterinary care required for serious untreated illnesses and injuries resulting from a lifetime of being caged and bred without any regular attention.  NMDR is giving dogs who had been forsaken an opportunity to finally feel good and be loved for the remainder of their lives.   Their rescue wasn’t the end of their story; rather it was the beginning of a longer journey to a happy ending.

For example, this grant helped Boots, a nine-year-old Bichon, with extremely serious conditions requiring emergency treatment.  Boots was rescued from a Midwest puppy mill and was found to be urinating pure blood as a result of untreated kidney stones.  No one knows how long he had endured the severe pain associated with that condition, but NMDR was able to arrange for his surgery and watched over him through his recovery.  Now with loving foster family, Boots looks forward to a new life in his forever home.

Bosky before

Other at-risk pets helped by the BPF grant are Chad and Bosky.  Chad, a six-year-old poodle, suffered from heartworm and received lengthy, expensive treatment to get back to health.  NMDR gave him needed love and care during this uncomfortable time and he is now joyful in his forever home. Bosky, a six-year-old Maltese, had limited vision and great pain from his untreated dry eyes.  Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, causes decreased tear production resulting in dry, itchy, crusty eyes. For a dog with loving owners, this would be treated with drops to avoid pain and scarring.  However, for a neglected dog like Bosky, surgery was required to reverse the exacerbated condition.  Thanks to NMDR’s commitment, Bosky was helped and later adopted by a loving couple in Texas.

Bosky after

Thank you National Mill Dog Rescue for helping these deserving dogs, and so many others, start a happy and healthy new chapter.  BPF is proud to be your partner and appreciates your dedication to the well-being of every pet!