By: Julie Montanaro | WCTV Eyewitness News

March 16, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Leon County Humane Society has told us they have adopted 66 dogs today.

Sandi Poreda thanked us for our coverage, saying, "So many people said they heard about the event because of your stories."

By: Julie Montanaro | WCTV Eyewitness News

March 15, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla (WCTV) -- Dozens of dogs rescued from a South Georgia puppy mill are up for adoption in Tallahassee this weekend.

Chester is a Shih Tzu, who by all accounts, had spent his whole life in a cage in a warehouse until he and hundreds of other dogs were rescued earlier this month.

The best his foster mom Debbie Hanerty can tell, Chester's never even set foot in the grass before.

"You're such a good boy. Yes, you are," she tells him.

"Everything is new to them. They have never experienced any of this, including love," Hanerty said.

76 of the rescued dogs arrived at the Leon County Humane Society on March first.

Some of them were covered in urine and feces, their hair matted. The stench; incredible.

We were there as volunteers shaved the dogs, bathed the dogs and trimmed their nails.

Ann Howard called right away and brought home a Pomeranian named Mortimer.

"He was tiny and he looked scared. So all I wanted to do was hug him and snuggle with him," Howard said. "He's a good boy."

Mortimer has since been fixed and had all but three of his teeth pulled.

"So his teeth were not taken care of it all in any way shape or form," Howard said. "They were pretty rough looking. I'd never seen anything like it."

The dog is potty training now and always ready for a good back scratch.

"He's learning how to be a dog here and we're really excited about that," Howard said.

About 50 of the small dogs rescued from that puppy mill will be up for adoption Saturday, including dachshunds, yorkies, chihuahuas, poodles and more.

Many of them are pure breeds. All of them are looking for a fresh start and plenty of puppy love.

That adoption event is Saturday, March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Paws Fur a Cause" will be held at Proctor Subaru at 1707 Capital Circle NE in Tallahassee.

There will be other dogs up for adoption there too. A full list of the dogs, including their age and breed, is on

.

By: WCTV Eyewitness News

March 5, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- All 76 dogs brought to Tallahassee from a puppy mill in South Georgia have been cleaned, checked out and placed in foster homes.

Most of the dogs are small dogs or miniatures.

Many of the dogs will be up for adoption at Paws Fur a Cause on March 16.

By: WCTV Eyewitness News

March 2, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Thursday afternoon, the Leon County Humane Society rescued over 29 dogs from a puppy mill in South Georgia. The Humane Society is now housing over 76 dogs, many in critical condition.

The puppy mill was profiting off of the purebred dogs. The dogs experienced everything from malnourishment, dental issues, matted coats and severe medical issues.

The past 48 hours have been emotional ones, especially for volunteers and workers at the Humane Society. However, many of the dogs are now finding a home.

For families like Josephine Yu's, coming out to help was the only option.

"It's a low risk, high reward opportunity," she said.

The majority of the animals arrived Friday afternoon.

Lisa Glunt with the Leon County Humane Society said, "It's taxing, and you know it's disappointing and disheartening every time you work these kinds of situations."

A situation, Jodi Sperry, a longtime foster and volunteer, describes as inhumane, "Some of these animals have never been out of a crate, some of them don't know what grass feels like, they walk in circles because that's all the space they have ever had."

No stranger to these rescue missions, Jodi shares the reality, as she holds one of the dogs in her arms, "This one is just squawking, you know? It's so scared, and they probably never had a really nice hand from a human."

Although many of the animals are still being groomed, bathed and cared for, Sandi Poreda, a volunteer and board member at the Leon County Humane Society, says, "We just need people to show these guys some love and help them start the healing process."

A process that foster families, like first time foster May Beth Long, can help with.

"I have this little one in my arms and he's shaking and a little nervous but you are not going to regret helping someone else whether it's a human or an animal, you are going to be grateful that you did it and had that chance to do so," she said.

A chance to help better the lives of so many dogs.

"I think they are all lucky to be here, hopefully everyone will just pitch in and help,” Jodi expresses.

There are still well over 40 dogs at the Human Society. They are asking for anyone willing to foster a dog to come out and sign up. Any donations, specifically towels, are also in high demand.