Dozens of designer dogs that were rescued from horrible conditions will be given new homes after more than a thousand families applied for adoption.
The 39 puppies and dogs had been locked up in filthy and cramped greyhound trailers in the regional Victorian town of Sale before being rescued on July 12.
The cavoodles, a cross between a miniature poodle and cavalier King Charles spaniel, were taken to an Animal Aid Victoria shelter where they were nursed back to health.
They received veterinary treatment and were given time to heal before their adoption expressions of interest were posted online.
A happy ending for families and puppies after a thousand families applied to adopt the designer dogs (pictured) rescued from horrible conditions at a puppy farm
The 39 puppies and dogs had been locked up in filthy and cramped greyhound trailers in the regional Victorian town of Sale before being rescued on July 12
Animal Aid was forced to close the expressions of interest on Friday after more than 1,600 families applied for adoption.
‘While there will be many families who are not successful, we hope that they will have peace of mind in knowing that the puppies will be living out the rest of their lives in wonderful new homes,’ a statement read.
Members of the public were excited by the news of adoption after the puppies and dogs had experienced a tough start to life.
‘Good luck everyone so happy to see the dogs and puppies going to their forever homes and get the love they need thanks again to animal aid for the wonderful job they do to all the animals in need,’ one person wrote on the Animal Aid Facebook Page.
‘Fingers crossed but if I miss out I sure they will all go to wonderful homes. Good luck with choosing the right families,’ shared another.
The horrific puppy farm was found after a member of the public tipped off the local council.
The dogs were found in poor health as the awful conditions saw them locked in small cages with little food and dirty water bowls.
Most of the adult dogs were pregnant and expected to give birth soon.
The council was alerted to the abhorrent treatment of the dogs by a member of the public
The puppies and dogs received treatment from Animal Aid Victoria before adoption expressions of interest were posted online
Vets that treated the pregnant dogs suspected that the psychological damage suffered at the puppy farm may be too far ingrained for them to ever recover fully.
Wellington Shire General Manager Development John Websdale said council was working to shut down illegal dog-breeding facilities.
‘It is important to us that all animals in Wellington Shire are kept ethically and treated with respect,’ he said on the Council’s website.
Puppy farms that breed ‘designer dogs’, which are puppies that are a cross between two popular pure breeds, are slowly becoming less common.
New legislation introduced July 1 have removed puppies and kittens from pet shops nationally in an effort to curb illegal breeding.
The number of fertile dogs kept by registered commercial breeders has also be capped at ten.
RSPCA Victoria inspectorate team leader Lisa Calleja said the new laws will help to stop illegal breeders passing their dogs through pet shops.
‘Gippsland is not a hotspot for illegal dog breeding,’ she told ABC Gippsland.
‘It’s a problem across Australia.’
The dogs were kept in awful conditions, locked in small cages. They were found in poor health, with little food and dirty water bowls
Animal Aid closed the expressions of interest on Friday after more than 1600 families applied to adopt the dogs and puppies