Update – June 23rd, 2012:  Nicole Labombard and her mother Charlene of Paws R Us have agreed to abide by a court order and not own more than three pets or operate a kennel for the next two years.  Sadly, they could operate another puppy mill after that two years is up.

All puppies seized have now been adopted.

Update – December 3rd, 2011:  Adoptions have slowly begun.  The available dogs will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for parasites and micro-chipped.  Please see additional information about adopting them below.

While we commend the kind souls who are opening their homes to these poor animals, we urge you to consider adoption carefully.  Due to a horrible life in a puppy mill, these dogs may continue to have behavioral or health issues for a long time.  They will need dedicated families to commit to them for life.

Update – November 24th, 2011: A Montreal Judge has ruled that Paws R Us is a puppy mill. The puppy mill owners, Nicole Labombard and her mother Charlene, have plead guilty and gave up ownership of the dogs. Over 600 seized dogs and over a hundred puppies will now be available for adoption after they’ve been spayed or neutered.

“We are elated with the decision made here today,” said Lauren Scott, campaigner for Humane Society International/Canada. “This was not only the largest dog rescue in Canadian history, but it also involved some of the most inhumane conditions that our Animal Rescue Team has ever encountered. To have witnessed firsthand the horrific conditions these dogs had been forced to live in at this breeding operation, and to now know that they can be placed into the loving homes they so deeply deserve is incredible. This also sends a strong message to unethical breeders who put profits above animal welfare that Quebecers will no longer tolerate this cruelty.”

Information regarding adoption of the rescued Quebec dogs is included in our original article below.

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Over 600 dogs were rescued from an alleged Quebec puppy mill last weekend by Humane Society International Canada, local police, and the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries.  That number is growing as pregnant females give birth – 90 puppies so far with many more to come.

The seizure included all sizes of purebred animals, including 385 small breed dogs.  Approximately 150 of the dogs require daily veterinary care.

Facilities are not equipped to deal with those numbers, so temporary accommodations have been set up.  They have lines of cages in two buildings that were never intended to be shelters.

There will be a custody hearing in three to six weeks to determine if the Province will retain custody or if the animals will be returned to the Paws ‘R’ Us kennel. If the Province retains custody (surely they will), the expense of this operation and the number of people required to care for the animals will greatly increase.

“Operating the shelter each and every day is hugely expensive,” said Rebecca Aldworth, the executive director of Humane Society International Canada. “It’s the largest sheltering operation of its kind that’s ever happened in Canada. We need to bring in volunteers from all across the country and even the United States.”

This is how we can prove that the good people still outnumber the bad people:

To help with a donation, please visit Humane Society International Canada.

Donations of supplies can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at:

HSI Canada
372 St Catherine West, Suite 319
Montreal, QC

Local businesses have stepped up to the plate to provide food and beds.  They are still in need of toys that can be easily sterilized.  Shelters can always use the following:

Bleach
Laundry detergent
Old towels & blankets
Garbage bags
Buckets & pails
Leashes, harnesses & collars
Crates & cages
Healthy treats

Global Pet Foods will deliver dropped-off donations to the emergency shelter:

8200 Blvd. Taschereau, Unit 1265
Brossard, QC

To adopt one of these dogs (if they become available) or to volunteer, please use this form, or send an e-mail to info{at}hsicanada.ca with the subject line “Interested in volunteering with dogs” or “Interested in adopting a dog.” You can also use this information to contact them about donating supplies or with other inquiries.

You can also help by spreading the word!

Thank you so much for caring.

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Sources:
Canada.com
HSI Canada
CTV