HSI Canada Helps Rescue More than 100 Dogs and Puppies from Quebec Commercial Breeder

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Sept. 3, 2013) - More than 100 dogs were rescued from a large-scale commercial breeding facility in the Montérégie region south of Montreal. The rescued dogs included many small breeds such as Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. Humane Society International/Canada assisted the Montreal SPCA and the ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec.

Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada stated: "The conditions in this facility were truly heartbreaking and it is devastating to know that many of these mother dogs had likely been confined here for years, denied their most basic of needs. The dogs were housed in barren metal cages, and suffered from teeth and ear problems. The smell of ammonia was very strong. Thankfully, these deserving dogs are now receiving the care and attention they so deserve. But so many more are still trapped in puppy mills across this country, and we need urgent action at the provincial and federal levels to stop puppy mills forever."

Puppy mills are mass-production facilities that churn out puppies for the pet trade with an emphasis on profit over animal welfare. Mother dogs in puppy mills have no real quality of life, and are often confined to small wire cages for most of their lives with little or no socialization, exercise or veterinary care.

The rescued dogs are in the care of the Montreal SPCA and are receiving treatment from veterinarians, staff and volunteers.

Quebec has been known for many years as the puppy mill capital of Canada, and it is clear that more action is needed to strengthen and enforce provincial animal protection laws. Federally, improvements to Canada's Criminal Code are required to help authorities prosecute the worst offenders.

Facts:

• In 2008, HSI assisted the Montreal SPCA in conducting three major seizures of dogs and puppies from Quebec puppy mills, under Canada's Criminal Code.
  
  
• In 2009, after massive public outcry regarding puppy mills and insufficient animal welfare standards in Quebec, the Quebec government pledged to address the crisis and launched a special companion animal task force to identify solutions to animal welfare problems in the Province.
  
  
• Since 2011, HSI/Canada has assisted the Quebec government in the rescue of more than 700 dogs from inhumane conditions in breeding facilities, including 527 dogs and puppies from Canada's largest puppy mill.
  
  
• In June 2012, the Quebec government adopted Bill 51, an act to amend the Provincial Animal Health Protection Act, which improves the safety and welfare standards of companion animals in Quebec.
  
  
• There is little enforcement capacity in Quebec, largely due to a lack of donations and government funding for the SPCAs and SPAs. To address this problem, HSI Canada has proposed a 1 percent tax on pet products sold in Quebec, which would generate in excess of $8 million for enforcement purposes annually. Polling shows 73% of Quebeckers are in support of this plan.
  
  

Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI/Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International-one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than eleven million members and constituents globally-on the Web at hsicanada.ca.