These are "very special" Special Needs dogs! They are just a few of the 67 Springers that ESRA rescued in 2008. ESRA brought them into our program, and that's exactly what they needed!

In late November 2008, as a result of the poor economy, English Springer Rescue America was contacted by a breeder in the Midwest who was struggling to sell and to care for a fairly large number of English Springers. The local state agency, with the approval of the breeder, also assisted by providing health certificates, removal, and transport of these dogs to a staging area for ESRA. Unfortunately, some of the animals were infested with lice, and some of the puppies had issues with worms and kennel cough. One puppy needed treatment with IV fluids for pneumonia as a result of the transport and prior illness. Some of the females also had tumors that had to be removed. About nine dogs also require entropian (eyelid) surgery. In all, ESRA took in almost seventy Springers, some pregnant. This ended up being a very large intake of dogs in need of assistance. ESRA appreciates this breeder trusting and reaching out to us. We would like to continue to encourage all pet owners to consider adopting from rescues or shelters.

Members and friends of ESRA throughout the country pitched in quickly to help with intake, assessment, and the huge job of transporting the dogs, both puppies and adults, to foster homes across the U.S.A. One group of Georgia volunteers reported that several dog lovers turned up at every stop along the transportation route to help with walking the dogs and cleaning their cages.

Amazingly, the dogs seemed to take this experience in stride. As one volunteer transporter reported, "Some of them were scared and didn’t want to come out of their crates . . . but they were so well-behaved. We were surprised."

Each dog will be fostered by an ESRA-screened caregiver who will supervise the dog’s rehabilitation. Necessary medical care, including spaying or neutering, will be provided, and the dog’s temperament and personality will be assessed. The goal is to help each dog reach its potential as a healthy, happy, well-mannered household pet, ready to be welcomed as a beloved family member into its ideal Forever Home.

ESRA is grateful to the many generous people who have already contributed time, energy, and money to the rescue of these neglected animals, but our limited resources are being severely strained by this influx of dogs, many of whom are in need of expensive care. We estimate that expenses for this endeavor will total approximately $25,000.

Please show that you care, too, by making a donation for the welfare and rehabilitation of these special dogs.  Clicking on the link below will get you to the right place to help, and you will be acknowledged for your contribution.  The dogs themselves will thank you by the look in their now-trusting eyes.

UPDATE, 12/19/08:

The big news is that the "Midwest Sixty-seven" are now the Midwest SEVENTY-EIGHT! Early this week, two pregnant females delivered litters, for a total of eleven puppies. Moms and pups are doing fine. When they are ready, the puppies will be listed on the Available Dogs web pages for their respective regions. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the fact that they are so young, these puppies will NOT be adopted out of the states in which they currently reside.

Although the following numbers are subject to change daily, we can report that there are now approximately twenty-two Midwest dogs listed as available for adoption on our regional web pages. Two are pending adoption; three have been adopted from the website. We also know of at least four more who have been adopted without ever making it to the web pages!

Foster families are reporting that in general these are sweet-tempered and good-natured dogs, although some have been very shy at first. Many of the dogs with health and hygiene issues have been treated, and they are making good progress. Despite a lingering cough, the puppy with pneumonia and lice is on the way to recovery. The female with mammary tumors is still awaiting surgery.

We are so grateful to all the wonderful people who are fostering and caring for these dogs, but we need to raise a lot more money to support them. Can you help?

UPDATE, 1/15/09:

Our foster dogs continue to make progress in settling comfortably into home life and routines. Several Midwest dogs are pending adoption or have recently been adopted. We would like to share a few photos of some of the Midwest springers who have recently found their Forever Homes.