Puppy Mill Survivor

“Casey” - 6 years, Bearded Collie

I am a Bearded Collie that was born in a puppy mill in southwest Missouri on August 15, 2002 where I spent the first two years of my life being starved and abused. I was rescued from the puppy mill by the Bearded Collie Club of America. At the time of the rescue, I weighed only 32 lbs. My present weight is 56 lbs. After I was rescued, I was boarded in a kennel in Kansas City, Missouri where I was cared for and received my name.

When my new owner picked me up, I was terrorized of him and all other humans. After we left the kennel, he stopped for fuel and took me out for a potty break in preparation for the 250 mile trip home. While we were at the gas station, they began cleaning the concrete around the pumps with a high pressure washer. I went insane and tried to escape and run across a busy highway. Miraculously, he managed to hold on to me and get me back in the car. You see, the cages at the puppy mill were cleaned with a high pressure washer with us dogs still inside the cages. Was it any wonder that I was afraid of humans?

For the next 3 ½ months, I kept trying to escape and I finally made it. I was hit by a car while running across a busy highway. I then took off on three legs to hide in the woods. Apparently, there were hundreds of people helping search for me, including dog catchers, local and county police, state troopers passing out flyers in subdivisions and animal rescue groups. There were stories about the search in the newspaper and on the radio. In addition, the Bearded Collie Club`s website and chat room had almost daily reports on my situation. They received over 500 e-mails from people around the world sending prayers and later, treats and toys. Sixteen days later, I was found in a trap furnished by one of the dog catchers. My leg, injured in the car accident, could not be saved and was amputated 20 days later.

Since that time, I have done amazing things. Six months later, I passed the test for my Canine Good Citizen badge and the test for being a therapy dog. I have been doing therapy work for three years and it is the most important thing in my life. Due to my handicap and health problems caused by the lack of nutrition during my early years, I have had to cut back my 21 visits per month to nursing homes, schools and libraries.

After seeing how many people were truly touched by my situation and the outpouring of love and concern that so many people showed, I just do not understand how these horrible places can remain in business. If there is anything I can do to help shut down these factories of horror and suffering, I will be right there at the front of the line.

Read more about other Puppy Mill Survivors and Missouri's Puppy Mill Problem.