Rescue Team - Getting Involved - Making a Difference
Roodewal Kennels was exposed as a large miniature schnauzer puppy farm empire. With a kingpin at the top doing the marketing with many other breeders contracted to supply miniature schnauzer puppies into the network. It has been shut down. Between Schnauzer Friends South Africa and the SPCA's 320 breeding ex Roodewal Kennel breeding stock schnauzers were rescued, sterilized, medically treated and rehomed into loving homes. These dogs were kept in horrific conditions outside with little human contact, while locked into the breeding cycle, without a voice of their own. Many were emotionally broken and need extensive rehabilitation. They now have a chance to be loved pets!
Getting Involved - Making a Difference
Author: Jacqui Chetty (Schnauzer Friends Rescue Team)
DATE: July 2016
My experience with puppy mills happened quite by accident. My daughter Hannah and I joined Schnauzer Friends South Africa, to enjoy the once a month fun walks. Before long I was part of the rescue team and helping with the adoptions of schnauzers rescued from the Roodewal puppy mill.
My first job was assisting with an adoption day in May 2015. We had over 30 rescued schnauzers arrive at Woodrock Animal Rescue to be matched to preapproved adopters. Being a pet owner and animal lover, I was ill prepared emotionally for what I saw. Some of the schnauzers were so scared. My heart was breaking, but I knew I was making a difference.
My heart went out to a little 5 years old Schnauzer who was as pretty as can be but oh so terrified. She cowered and shivered at the back of a kennel, hoping to disappear, and I knew that nobody would adopt her. Her name was Twit of all things, what a gentle soul. I took her home to foster, and renamed her Lilly. I cried tears of joy and heartache as I watched Lilly transform from a dog that hid in the bushes, to a dog that would approach me for food, with a smile on her face. Lilly has been adopted and is growing in confidence daily.
I was also responsible for rehoming 40 puppies. This was tough but such a joy, knowing that none of them would be part of the sordid breeding system again as they were sterilized before being rehomed. There was one very special puppy who was the runt of the litter. Cody lives with us and every day that I look at him I feel a deep sense of accomplishment knowing that because of our special community, hundreds of Schnauzers now live in the comfort of wonderful homes.
Our rescue project shows that good can overcome evil. A community can stand together and say no. Animal abuse must not be tolerated! Do your homework. You may have brought a cute puppy, but if the parents are suffering in horrible conditions, you are contributing to this evil trade. Do not support puppy farmers and backyard breeders. Even better adopt, don’t shop.
Author: Jacqui Chetty (Schnauzer Friends Rescue Team)
DATE: July 2016
My experience with puppy mills happened quite by accident. My daughter Hannah and I joined Schnauzer Friends South Africa, to enjoy the once a month fun walks. Before long I was part of the rescue team and helping with the adoptions of schnauzers rescued from the Roodewal puppy mill.
My first job was assisting with an adoption day in May 2015. We had over 30 rescued schnauzers arrive at Woodrock Animal Rescue to be matched to preapproved adopters. Being a pet owner and animal lover, I was ill prepared emotionally for what I saw. Some of the schnauzers were so scared. My heart was breaking, but I knew I was making a difference.
My heart went out to a little 5 years old Schnauzer who was as pretty as can be but oh so terrified. She cowered and shivered at the back of a kennel, hoping to disappear, and I knew that nobody would adopt her. Her name was Twit of all things, what a gentle soul. I took her home to foster, and renamed her Lilly. I cried tears of joy and heartache as I watched Lilly transform from a dog that hid in the bushes, to a dog that would approach me for food, with a smile on her face. Lilly has been adopted and is growing in confidence daily.
I was also responsible for rehoming 40 puppies. This was tough but such a joy, knowing that none of them would be part of the sordid breeding system again as they were sterilized before being rehomed. There was one very special puppy who was the runt of the litter. Cody lives with us and every day that I look at him I feel a deep sense of accomplishment knowing that because of our special community, hundreds of Schnauzers now live in the comfort of wonderful homes.
Our rescue project shows that good can overcome evil. A community can stand together and say no. Animal abuse must not be tolerated! Do your homework. You may have brought a cute puppy, but if the parents are suffering in horrible conditions, you are contributing to this evil trade. Do not support puppy farmers and backyard breeders. Even better adopt, don’t shop.
