Community Corner

Rescued Yorkie from Puppy Mill Finds a (Temporary) Home in Reston

Ollie and other rescued dogs will be up for adoption soon.

By Rachel Hatzipanagos

Just about a week ago, 3-pound pup Ollie’s home was in a metal cage outdoors where investigators say he lived with 122 other dogs at the Alabama puppy mill. 

Tuesday, he was found curled in front of the fireplace with his Yoda-like ears perking back and forth and his eyelids falling shut to sleep.

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He’ll be staying at the Reston colonial-style house until he finds somewhere more permanent.

Not a bad deal.

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“He’s going to be a lap dog, eventually,” said foster dog owner Robin Campbell, who took in the Yorkshire Terrier on Friday.

She heard that 26 Yorshire Terriers would be needing homes after Chantilly-based A Forever Home Rescue Foundation posted a call for action on their Facebook page.

The group had heard that a woman in Colbert County, Ala. had been charged with 15 counts of second-degree animal cruelty when authorities found the dogs on her property, according to local news reports.

The local animal shelter was not able to handle such a large volume of dogs, so A Forever Home stepped in to help.

“We have a lot of experience with puppy mill dogs,” said volunteer Patti Stinson. “So we put the word out for a volunteer to drive down to Alabama. Luckily, two people stepped forward to do it.”

The dogs arrived in Northern Virginia at about midnight Friday. Those who had volunteered to foster the dogs were ready and waiting to pick them up.

“The foster home is the biggest part of the process, never have they let us down,” Stinson said.

The dogs have various levels of care that they need. The average cost per dog to get neutered and get any other medical care they need runs from $1,000 and up, Stinson said. The foundation pays for the cost of care through donations.  

Thankfully, Ollie had his first visit to the vet Tuesday and is overall a healthy pup. 

He's made himself at home rather quickly. Docile for a puppy, Ollie has bonded with the family’s other dog Callie, who was adopted four years ago. 

The hardest part, the family reports, will letting go of Ollie when he finds a new home.

“There’s a lot of tears, but if you let the dog go, you are saving another dog,” Stintson advised the family. “I’d like to say it get easier, but it doesn’t. It’s a comfort though.”   

Ollie and the other Yorkies rescued from the puppy mill will be up for adoption soon, though the foundation does anticipate that the popular breed will be in high demand. Visit aforeverhome.org for details on how to adopt. 

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