THE "MISSOURI FOURTEEN"
 

The conditions in which these dogs were kept.

On Thursday, July 6, 2006, FOURTEEN Springers were rescued from a Missouri "backyard breeder"!

Denise Garwood, the Missouri ESRA coordinator and Mark Samuel, the Kansas ESRA Coordinator, have been working together for over a month to rescue these Springers and get them to safety.

According to the breeder, some of these dogs came from other breeders in the state, who kept them in barns, and used them for the production of Springer puppies to sell.

 

 

 

These dogs smelled extremely bad, and many had mats in their hair and around their face and ears. Some mats were one inch thick, and five to six inches long. It took about an hour to shave down and to remove them from one of the males.

Seven of these Springers are in Denise's care in Missouri, and seven are in Mark's care in Kansas. The immediate plans are to get them fully vetted, spayed or neutered, and transported to states that have volunteered to take them in.

This endeavor will require a lot of resources from the volunteers and from ESRA. Any support that can be offered in regards to covering cost, transporting, etc, would be deeply appreciated.

 

What is amazing about this situation is what we call the Springer Spirit. One of the dogs that was in the worst condition, and has been neglected the most, was a dog the breeder called "big Mamma". Big Mamma lived her life in a barn prior to this person getting her. She has been used to produce many litters of puppies for profit. Her teeth are in bad shape, and her coat was extremely matted and sun burned. According to the breeder, she had a rough life prior to him, and the conditions at his kennel were not that good. So we can only imagine her suffering.


After we got her shaved, and spent some time with her, she began to smile and got the Springer Wiggle. She has such a strong desire to be a happy, normal Springer, and that is what we are going to make sure she becomes.

Springer lovers would like to thank Denise Garwood and Mark Samuel, for the hard work they do in their states, and all the other states that have offered to help with this crisis. Also our thanks to the team assembled in Kansas to groom all these guys, and to Stan Frear for providing the kennels and safe transportation.


How Mark quickly moves fourteen Springers at once.

 



It appears that many states, and many other rescues across the US, are struggling to take care of a lot of homeless animals right now. This year seems to be the worst for animals needing good homes, so it is important that we all step up and make sure that all these wonderful pets find the good homes that they deserve.

You are invited to help ESRA's efforts in saving these Springers. Your support is needed and deeply appreciated. Please, please click below to help us help these unfortunates!



Here are Megan and Shelly, two of the Fourteen. These two are now in foster care in Tennessee. They were born in July of 2005, so they are barely a year old.

They are both very scared little doggies, and don't really know how to be pets, yet. They both like people, however, so they are learning.

Fortunately, they're both completely healthy!

 

 

 

If you can help ESRA to Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Re-home these fine dogs, please click here to make a fully tax-deductible donation.
 
THE MISSOURI FOURTEEN'S GENEROUS SPONSORS TO DATE:
Sandra M Pancoe In memory of Shadow.
Renee & Don Holmes A gift for Karin & Neil Whitty, in memory of Lizzy Whitty.
Palmer & Mickey Holmes In memory of Chet and Buddy Holmes, we miss you. Also to honor our Dad, Donald.
Terry L. Cooley In honor of my Springer Annie, who was also rescued from a MO puppy mill.
Katherine Spitzmiller This gift is made in honor of Sally Pearson's birthday, and also
in memory of Addison "Bog Dog" Pearson, who we all miss very much!
Kathleen Engberg
 A gift for the Fourteen.
Cathy Peters
 In memory of all the Springers (and other dogs) who weren't as lucky as these fourteen, and didn't get rescued.
Vicki Wingo
 A gift from Maxwell Smart.
Kim Bolster
 A gift to honor Heather Young, and all the special work she does! Cash says thanks!
Diane Westlake
  
Janet B. & Mike Ballew
 In memory of Dakota, who was rescued from a mill in Phoenix, AZ.
Joseph Viola
 In memory of Pjr - Super Cute Doggie!
Cathryne Slaughter
 In memory of our parents.
Sheri Cromwell
 In memory of The Texas 14 Dogs.
Deborah & Bob Bessette
 In memory of dear, sweet Nigel (5/24/06), and our one-eared girl, Daisy Mae (6/10/06), and all the volunteers who made the last days of their lives the best!
Beverley Rohde
 In memory of Toddy.
Ed and Jamie Balazs
 A gift for Baby Eddie.
Esther Walker
 In memory of Yogurt, our 13-yr-old Springer (7-29-05), also to honor ESRA rescuers , esp. Carlee Mashak, for making sure Cassy "caught" the transport to Colorado (6/05)! She's awesome!
John and Gloria Kareken
  
Lucy Batton
  
Kim Marvin
 In memory of Babs.
Beth Miller
 In memory of the Springer lovers of Springer Rescue.
Quinn Baraco &
       Donald Putterman
 For Charlie and Sammy, two mighty thankful rescued boys.
Thanks ESRA!
Rebecca Stowe
 In memory of Jake.
Randy Peters
 Thanks to ESRA for Lily Rose.
Rosemary Elden
 In memory of Marley, Brandy, Bonnie, Zeke, Rufus, and my dear, sweet Holly.
LB Bonanno
 In memory of Sammi & Nestle.
Merrie and Chris Corbett
 In memory of Gizmo, Bogart and Lance, and to the committed and compassionate, tireless, rescue workers!
Kathy and Pat Walsh
 For Mark Samuel and Kim Ludwig, for their tireless dedication to ESRA!
Theresa Schaufer
 From Arizona, with love, Dasher, Holly & Rori. (and our humans, too!)
Stephanie Balkema
 In memory of Danny.
Ann Sunderman
  
Ashley Szymkowicz
 In memory of Domino, may you find peace.
Tammi Vetter
 In memory of Libby, I love and miss you.
Anonymous Sponsor
 In memory of Diana, The Best Dog in the World. I miss you.
Megan Brown
 To remember the New Brunswick Seven, in May 2005, and
the New Brunswick Sixty-Six, in January 2006, in Canada.
Martii Wallahan
 In memory of Fame, my angel.
Kent and Char Davis
 For Pepper's pals in need in Missouri.
Kevin & Wendy Brennan
 In honor of Karl, our rescued ESS; Buddy, our first foster; and Schatzie, who has known only the good life!
Judy Hultquist
 In memory of both Mollies, (one from ESRA), Maggie and Megan, and because our current Fieldie, Annie is a rescue too.
Marc & Andrea Kimbrell
 In memory of Duke and Jake. We miss you.
Robert & Karen Bryan
 In memory of Tucker, and in celebration of Becky, two great ESS!
Bruce Tyler
 In memory of Cindy, Fletch, and Ramsey. Three of the best friends
I ever had.
Catherine Bauer
 		In memory of Jake and Fletcher.
Melva Carney
 		In memory of Bogey, a cherished Springer friend.
Pam Gregory
 		Gift from Maggie and Buddy, to help other rescue dogs.
Ben Lents
 		In memory of Aggie, 1990 - 2006.
Linda Mowrey
 		In memory of Coffee, 1991-2004.
 
About Us - Springer Info - Available Dogs - Adopted Dogs - How To Help - Message Board - Links - Site Map - Contact