KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaPuppy Mill Survivors: From LA to OH

Puppy Mill Survivors: From LA to OH

Reported by: Britney Glaser

A cross-country journey is bringing two new homes to dogs rescued from what's being called a "puppy mill" in Sulphur.  It's one Ohio woman's mission to raise awareness about puppy mills across the country that landed her in Lake Charles Wednesday morning for an emotional adoption.

We've seen the video that makes headlines, puppy mills revealed, showing the inhumane mass breeding of dogs.  It's a situation that was revealed at one Sulphur home in January when a group of volunteers with LAPAW rescued 12 dogs suffering numerous medical problems.

"There was something inhumane or inappropriate about the way she was breeding the dogs," says Sheila Gilley, a LAPAW volunteer.  "We know that other than Tina, all of the dogs we rescued were in metal cages, which is probably where they always lived, so they didn't get any socialization or human contact."

Foxy and Tina were two of the rescued dogs from the property.  They have been fostered for the past month in homes in Southwest Louisiana, but they are gearing up to meet a new owner who is traveling over 2,000 miles for this adoption.

Kristina Lange is the founder of "Marilyn's Voice," an organization fighting illegal dog breeding.  "We're a group of rescuers who really got fed up with the puppy mill industry in Ohio and all over the country," says Lange.

When Lange lost her rescued dog, Marilyn in November, her search for a new face in the fight against puppy mills led her to "Tina," whose profile could be seen on LAPAW's website.  "I got an e-mail," says Lange, "and the subject said 'this is her,' and they were right...this is her. I was just so pleased, I couldn't think of anything else but bringing this little girl to Ohio and having her be the new mascot for Marilyn's Voice.  

While Foxy must still undergo therapy before being moved into an adoptive home, Tina is primed to stay in the spotlight as the face of a puppy mill survivor.

"I'm so thrilled for Tina," says Gilley, "because she's going from living at a home not getting to know many people and share her love and she's now going to be a spokesperson for a group that will educate others about responsible breeding and how to find healthy dogs and she's going to be famous!"

Lange says it was destiny for her to find Tina.  "I knew she was the one and that's why I traveled all this way to get her."

To track Tina's progress, log on to www.marilynsvoice.org.