200 People Attend Rescue Dog Puppy Mill Awareness Day at Rocky Woods

Medfield Rescue Dog Day – held on Saturday, Sept. 17 in conjunction with national Puppy Mill Awareness Day – turned out to be a lucky day for Logan, a four-month-old coon hound/border collie mix who, along with two of his brothers, was found abandoned under a house in Tennessee. 

He was rescued and brought to Forever Home Rescue New England in Medfield for adoption. 

Forever Home participated in Saturday’s event at where Logan was ultimately adopted by the Mineo family of Medfield.

“We chose him after spending some time with him and watching him interact with my two kids and other dogs at the Rescue Day event,” said Jean Mineo. “For us, it was really important to be able to spend time with a dog first and this was a great opportunity to evaluate the pet and talk to experienced foster care givers. We were left cold looking on-line but we had a terrific experience with Forever Home Rescue. Logan arrived [Monday] and my kids are thrilled!”

Rescue Dog Day founder and current Executive Director of the Neponset Valley Humane Society, Judy Ambrose, told Medfield Patch on Sept. 17 that the purpose of Rescue Dog Day – which was attended by about 60 adopted and adoptable dogs, and 200 people, many hoping to adopt – was to educate people about puppy mills, to show families a variety of rescue dogs they might not otherwise consider adopting, to celebrate dogs that have been rescued and are now in happy homes, and to introduce approximately 30 new adoptable dogs to possible forever families.

“If we can educate one person to adopt and not make another dog suffer what they have suffered, then our goal was accomplished…I think people are seeing what great dogs there are in rescue,” said Ambrose during the event that included many groups such as South Shore Humane Society, National Brussels Griffon Rescue, Coonhound Rescue, Gracie’s Mission and All Dog Rescue.

“We’re in a network of foster homes; we have at least 15 fosters,” said Robin Davidson of Bridgewater who has been volunteering with All Dog Rescue for less than a year. 

“I’ve been doing this for three years and I’ve placed more than 20 dogs,” said Barbara Davidson of All Dog Rescue, noting the group places about 80 dogs a year.  “We have 10 to 12 dogs currently on our website.”

Boston Snow Dogs  and Patriot Siberian Husky Rescue of New England also demonstrated “urban mushing.”

“We’re just a lot of people who love dogs and love people who love dogs doing whatever we can do to further the love of dogs,” said Kristin McGillicuddy of Boston Snow Dogs, whose son Brandon who is learning to mush. 

Also present were canine service providers such as Medfield House Call Veterinarian Heather Cochran and Rub Pet Massage with certified small animal massage therapist Susan Alden.

A raffle was held that included hundreds of donated items; and vegan snacks by VegFunds were also available to sample.

Download the movie