Largo Shelter Takes In Dogs, Cats Saved From Breeding Factory

TAMPA - More than 70 dogs and nearly 30 cats from the largest puppy mill rescue ever conducted in Tennessee arrived today at the SPCA of Tampa Bay's shelter in Largo.

The animals must be medically evaluated and will not immediately be available for adoption.

Today, some of the dogs received some of the first baths they've ever had, a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals director said.

"We have little guys that have never been socialized with humans," said Connie Brooks, director of operations for SPCA of Tampa Bay. "They've only lived with other animals in a cage. They don't know how to socialize with humans, so there's a lot of work ahead just to make sure these guys are mentally and healthily sound to go up for adoption."

Nearly 700 dogs and cats overall were rescued in Thursday's raid at Pine Bluff Kennels, according to an SPCA news release. The raid was conducted by the Humane Society of the United States, and staff members from the Bay area helped. The director of Pine Bluff Kennels gave custody of the animals to the humane society.

Marissa Segundo, public relations manager for the SPCA of Tampa Bay, said some of the animals at the Pine Bluffs Kennels scene were found dead in their cages.

The dogs lived in unsanitary conditions and some had feces and urine embedded in their fur, a regional director of the human society said today. She called Pine Bluffs Kennels a breeding factory.

The ones brought to the SPCA of Tampa Bay's shelter in Largo have the potential to be wonderful pets, she said.

"Even the ones that lived in those horrible conditions ... with a little love and attention could end up sleeping on someone's bed in no time," said Laura Bevan, southeast regional director of the Humane Society.

The shelter is at 9099 130th Ave. N. in Largo.

For information, go to www.SPCATampaBay.org.