Darbster Foundation And Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR) Teamed Up For Successful “MISSION OF MERCY”

Chocolate Lab rescue named Cherry delivered first litter at TCAR; the 10 pups and Cherry will be ready for adoption in six to eight weeks.

Responding to an emergency call to rescue 19 purebred Labrador Retriever dogs and eight puppies from abuse, malnourishment, and deplorable conditions at a financially strapped puppy mill/backyard breeder in Lake Worth, Darbster Foundation and Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR) teamed up on a lifesaving ‘mission of mercy’ to give these animals in distress a ‘new leash on life’. The number of lives saved have already increased by an additional 16 when two of the three who were pregnant gave birth this weekend to litters in the safe haven of the TCAR, the region’s largest 501c (3) nonprofit 100% No Kill rescue and adoption center.

When Ellen Quinlan and Alan Gould, founders of the Darbster Foundation, learned last week of the inhumane plight of the Labrador Retriever puppy mill residents, they initiated calls to area rescue shelters to assist and was pleased that TCAR not only responded within minutes of their outreach, but could take in all 19 dogs and puppies. To help with initial medical evaluation and care, the Darbster Foundation made a donation, however due to the neglect and abuse of the dogs, nonprofit TCAR is now seeking additional donations to underwrite and additional $20,000-$25,000 in veterinarian ER, medications, vitamins, birthing needs, and spaying and neutering services. TCAR operates solely on donations, grants, sponsorships and event and thrift shop proceeds; it receives does not City, State or federal funding for rescue, staffing, medical treatment, food and medicines, or adoption services.

According to dosomething.org, puppy mills are commercial dog-breeding facilities that focus on increasing profit with little overhead cost, and thus the health and welfare of the animals is often not a priority. To maximize profits, they breed a female dog every time she is in heat which means a five-year-old dog could have given birth to 10 litters of puppies.

“Whenever we learn of animals in distress, especially due large-scale crises such as natural disasters or puppy mill abuse, our team at Tri-County rescues in Palm Beach County and beyond…this year as far as Istanbul, Turkey and the Bahamas,” noted Suzi Goldsmith, TCAR co-founder and executive director. “This puppy mill rescue was particularly challenging as so many were dehydrated, needed vitamins, and three were pregnant and severely underweight. Now that they are all getting the medical care and TLC they so desperately needed, you can see a significant difference by the hour.”

She adds that the first priority is “getting these precious animals healthy” and then finding them loving homes. Goldsmith reports that four of seven purebred adult male and female Labrador retrievers were adopted this weekend. The chocolate, yellow, gold-color Labs ranged from one to three-year-olds, with one six-year-old male.

The others, including the young puppies, need two to three more weeks to be ready for adoption; the puppies are in isolation, but on view in a glass room.  The moms and new litters of puppies will take six to eight weeks from birth before they can be adopted.

“We encourage pet lovers to ‘adopt, not shop’ retailers that sell dogs and cats born in puppy mills and backyard breeders,” said Alan Gould, noting that every year, retail pet stores across the U.S. sell 500,000 dogs, while 5 to 7 million dogs enter shelters. “We are so pleased to be working with Tri-County on this ‘mission of mercy’ with plans to do more collaboration to neutering and spaying of dogs and cats.” On Wednesday, September 17th, the Darbster restaurant location in Boca Raton will be hosting a benefit night for TCAR, during which 20% of all food purchases will be donated to support the work of the
100% No Kill rescue center.

TCAR actively participates in Palm Beach County-focused efforts for the Countdown To Zero Initiative, collaborative effort to end euthanasia for adoptable dogs and cats in Palm Beach County within 10 years, as well as efforts by municipalities to ban puppy mills, or retailer who sell puppy mill dogs and cats.