The Mill Dog Rescue Network in Colorado Springs is a group dedicated to rescuing dogs from abusive breeding practices, commonly referred to as Puppy Mills.

Oprah aired an investigative report into the practice of Puppy Mills on April 4. As a follow-up to this report, KKTV 11 News and Call For Action wanted to let Colorado Springs residents know about about the rescue efforts taking place in our city.

Call For Action met Lily, an Italian Greyhound who spent eight years of her life in a dark wire cage sleeping on a board and churning out litter after litter. Lily was only let out of breeding when her medical issues outweighed her breeding capabilities-- when her teeth fell out and her lower jaw rotted off.

Lily is now dying of cancer.

Mill Dog Rescue Network creator, Theresa Strader, says [Lily had], "little to no veterinary care, no socialization whatsoever." Strader went on to say, "It's animal cruelty at its height and in this country, it's absolutely legal."

Lily inspired Strader to launch the non-profit network out of her home. She and her volunteer staff say they've rescued, rehabbed and given homes to some 400 dogs in just a year's time.

Strader says most of the pet-shopping public is unaware of the abuse and is only concerned about a puppy having AKC papers. However, having AKC papers, doesn't mean they haven't been abused. In fact, most of the abused dogs do have papers.

Strader urges folks to contact national breed clubs if they are strictly looking for a purebred, but Humane Societies are often the best place to go. She says 25 to 30 percent of her dogs are purebred.

Strader and her volunteers say the goal is to see laws passed which change the industry, so dogs are no longer treated as livestock.

If you are thinking of getting a puppy, you can call the Kennel Club's Breeder Referral Line at 481-6820 for referrals to proper breeders.

You can learn more about the Mill Dog Rescue Network by clicking on the link below.