A van-load of 42 dogs and puppies — including 35 purebred beagles — that were rescued from a commercial breeder are scheduled to arrive in San Diego County on Monday to be put up for adoption.
According to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, the dogs were taken in by National Mill Dog Rescue from a large breeder in the Midwest.
“The adults have been used for commercial breeding,” said John Van Zante of the Encinitas-based humane society.
“The breeders produce as many puppies as they can,” Van Zante said.
“When the market becomes saturated, they switch to different breeds. Every day they continue to provide care for the previous breed is an unwanted business expense, so they get rid of them one way or another.”
He said National Mill Dog Rescue has been reaching out to such breeders in order to collect the “discards.” Most of the canines being brought to San Diego are males, with adults up to 10 years old and puppies 4-8 months old.
“None of them had received any vaccinations, so they got their first round of shots before beginning the trip to California,” Van Zante said. “When they get here, they will have complete medical exams and they’ll all be spayed or neutered before they can go to their new homes.”
The public can submit adoption applications at any time. Interested families can meet with adoption counselors to discuss whether a beagle is a good match for them. The dogs should be ready to go home with their adoptive families in about two weeks, he said.
About half the canines will be delivered to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. The others are bound for Four Paws Coonhound Rescue and Friends in El Cajon.
— City News Service
