Dozens Of Dogs Rescued From Puppy Mill Find New Homes

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. (WCCO) -- Dozens of animals rescued from a puppy mill this the summer now have new places to call home.

Two hundred dogs and puppies seized from a breeding facility in Pine River in July were up for adoption on Saturday at all Twin Cities Animal Humane Society locations.

People started lining up hours before the doors open at the Golden Valley location.

"These dogs have been with us for three months and they came from a very traumatic situation, they were living like livestock," said Cindy Johnson with the Animal Humane Society.

Their story tugged at the hearts of so many pet lovers, like Elizabeth Grygar of Golden Valley.

"I'm really excited to like try to give it a new life," she said.

Grygar and her family showed up three hours before the doors opened.

They have their heart set on one of the puppies they saw on WCCO's newscast Friday night.

She was excited to meet Emelio, a two-pound Papillon mix, who is one of nearly 70 puppies born at the shelter. Many of the rescued dogs were pregnant when they were brought in.

Caretakers expected puppies to go quickly, and when the older dogs like Buck, a golden retriever, found new homes, it brought tears of joy.

Kristen Healy is one of hundreds of volunteers who spent months socializing these dogs, giving them the attention they had never received.

"They met their great day today, these dogs," Healy said.

For the Grygar family, they're looking forward to giving their dog a loving home.

"We like the name 'River' just because it has to do with the rescue of him," Grygar said. "Maybe it will stick."

The Animal Humane Society will be open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, too, at all five Twin Cities locations.

As of early Saturday evening, 83 dogs have been adopted.