North Jersey rescues save 16 'trembling and terrified' dogs from Blairstown breeder

Over the past four months, three local animal rescues have been working together to rescue 16 dogs from a retiring breeder in Blairstown. Over the last week, the breeder released the remaining nine dogs, marking the end of a "decade of breeding horrors."

A group of rescuers from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc. (RBARI), Second Chance Pet Adoption League, and A Pathway to Hope have been steadfastly working to take in the "designer" dogs. The rescuers were not permitted inside of the barn that the dogs called home, but as each one emerged, they were "trembling and terrified," according to RBARI.

The first seven dogs that were rescued from Blairstown have all been adopted with the exception of one that is still being fostered, according to RBARI. Most of them are very shy but they have become attached to their families.

The final nine rescues consisted of four miniature labradoodles and five smaller dogs, all of which have only ever known a life of being farmed and suffering.

Upon their rescue, each dog underwent medical exams. Most of them have heart murmurs and luxating patellas which are all congenital conditions that were likely passed onto the puppies that were sold. Many of them also have ear infections, rotting teeth, and are filled with parasites to the point that they are anemic.

"This is the reality behind the cute doodles you see everywhere," said Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. "These are the parents, the abused, the neglected and discarded."

Prior to this larger-scale rescue, an independent rescuer had been taking in the rejected dogs for over 10 years. She reached out when their medical care and placement became too overwhelming.

The remaining nine dogs are all suffering from various issues but are receiving the necessary medical care and warming up to life in the outside world. They will eventually be available for adoption.

The story of Cindy, a 7-year-old doodle, is perhaps the epitome of what all of these dogs have gone through.

Two months ago, Cindy was on the list to be rescued until the breeder decided that she may be pregnant and wanted to profit off of her puppies, therefore not releasing her to the rescuers. Upon her recent rescue, Cindy was hospitalized and stabilized with fluids and antibiotics. She had to undergo urgent surgery and, in addition to mammary tumors, is suffering from rotting teeth, ear infections, a cough, a heart murmur, parasites, and anemia. Both ovaries were covered in cysts.

Thankfully, following surgery she is bright, comfortable and eating. She is being spoiled as she recovers in preparation for her next surgery which will consist of dental work and the removal of multiple mammary tumors.

The other dogs that were recently rescued include:

• Raven, a 4-year-old mini labradoodle with an untreated eye injury, mammary tumor, lump on her shoulder, ear infections, parasites, anemia, and rotting teeth.

• Penny, a 4-year-old doodle who is suffering from a heart murmur, parasites, anemia and ear infections. Penny is shy and skittish but is calm when she is held or is with her dog friends.

• Reddy is also a 4-year-old doodle. He is quite scared but is completely docile. He is getting neutered and dental work done and also has parasites, anemia, and ear infections.

• Sammy is a 2-year-old Lhasa Apso who is social and friendly, perhaps the breeder's house pet.

• Onyx is a 2-year-old toy poodle who is shy and sweet. She is getting spayed and dental work and suffers from infections and parasites.

• Sandy is a 5-year-old toy poodle who has a heart murmur and rotting teeth. Although she is shy, she is warming up fast and is already dancing and giving kisses.

• Smokey and Frankie are 3-year-old yorkiepoos. They are social but still a bit shy and very sweet. They both need to be spayed/neutered and need dental work as well as treatment for ear infections and parasites.

"Though their stories will break your heart, we promise to put it back together with updates and happy tails over coming weeks," said Megan Brinster, executive director of RBARI. "Until there are none, rescue one!"

If you are interested in contributing to the dogs' care, donations can be made through the RBARI medical fund at rbari.org/donate/rbari-medical-fund.html.

"Rescue, rescue, rescue! The best thing people can do is to adopt through their local shelter or rescue, and if they are looking for a dog they can't find locally, there are also rescues that will place dogs long distance," said Amy Hofer of RBARI. "Yes, a breeder will hand you a dog with few questions asked, but the same care they take in placement is the same care they provide the dogs. Rescues have to ensure that their dogs are going to a [good] home, so the process is more involved."

If you are interested in adopting one of the doodle rescues, you can submit a general doodle application at rbari.org/doodleapp.

Keep an eye on the RBARI Facebook page for continued updates about the rescued doodles.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey dogs rescued from Blairstown NJ breeder