Dogs from Almost Heaven Kennels healthy enough to adopt, Department of Agriculture says
by ERICA DOLSON, Of The Patriot-News
Thursday June 25, 2009, 7:30 PM

The Northwest Hall at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg is housing about 211 dogs after they were seized from the Almost Heaven Kennels in Emmaus on Tuesday by animal protection agents.

Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs Arrive in Gaithersburg

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The 211 dogs seized from a raid of the Almost Heaven Kennels in Lehigh County are healthy enough for adoption, said Chris Ryder, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture.
The last group of dogs was transported to shelters Thursday, Ryder said. The facilities will determine when the dogs will be available for adoption, he added.

"A handful" of kennels have already been closed under the regulations of a Pennsylvania dog law enacted in 2008, Ryder said. The Almost Heaven Kennel is the largest raid so far, he said.

The kennel, near Emmaus, was shut down on Tuesday. Officials brought the dogs to the State Farm Show Complex so veterinarians could exam them to determine if they were healthy enough for adoption.

Property owner Derbe Eckhart's application for a kennel license had been rejected in January, according to the Department of Agriculture. His appeal to remain open was denied this week, allowing the kennel to be closed.

Eckhart was allowed to keep 25 dogs, the maximum allowed without a kennel license.

The dogs taken from the Almost Heaven Kennels were not accustomed to attention from humans, Ryder said. They were frightened when removed from their cages and unaccustomed to walking on a leash, he said.

The new dog law was developed to try to eliminate Pennsylvania's distinction as "Puppy Mill Capital of the East Coast," state Rep. James Casorio, D-Westmoreland, said. Casorio helped champion the legislation.

"There are reputable kennels that operate and take care of dogs," Casorio said. "These (puppy mills) are horrific, barbaric."

The new law clarified the process to obtain search warrants and appeals, Ryder said. In October, it will monitor new regulations for kennel conditions, including increased cage size and requirements for regular exercise and veterinary care for the animals, he added.

"The raid this week is an indication that we're moving in the right direction," Casorio said.

The PA Puppy Mill Raid (June 25, 2009) The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) contacted the Maryland SPCA to ask for help this week. They raided a puppy mill in Allentown, PA and rescued over 200 dogs and puppies. Thanks to our safe new transport van, we were able to drive up and pitch in to help. We took in 18 puppies and dogs from the raid—everything from young pups to four-year-olds and Poodles to a Great Dane.

If you’d like to help support the care of these special dogs, please click here to donate. We receive no government or ASPCA funding. They need your help!

If you are interested in adoption, please continue to check back with us. They still need to have health exams and spay/neuter surgery before being available for adoption. They are still adjusting to their new surroundings.

Maryland SPCA, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211 | 410-235-8826 | adoptme@mdspca.org