According to Kaila Benson, owner of Webster County Animal Protection, the organization granted custody of the 29 dogs after they were removed by court order last month, three dogs have been moved to a German Sshepherd rescue, three have been adopted, and three have pending adoptions.

Many of the dogs are currently being fostered and trained to learn basic obedience and behavioral skills.

“”Every dog has made huge progress behaviorally,” said Benson. “We want people to know that behaviorally doesn’t mean bad or aggressive, but they were very shut down and scared. Imagine having no concept that there’s a life different from the four panels of kennel you see every day. For these animals, all of the sights and sounds they’re seeing and hearing are all brand new to them.”

Most of the dogs were malnourished and lacked daily access to food and water, so Benson said many of the dogs are learning that food will always be available to them.

-Submitted photo
Miranda Peterson coaxes one of the scared German shepherd dogs from a portable kennel. Twenty-nine dogs were removed by court order from a Webster County puppy mill on Aug. 7. Webster County Animal Shelter, Pups & Paws Pound, Moffitt Animal Shelter, and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa have been caring for and rehabilitating the dogs.

“Some dogs have food reactivity, but that’s very normal for any animal that hasn’t been fed regularly,” said Benson. “They still feel unsure of when they’re next meal is coming so they are protective of what they have. Some are more undersocialized than others, but we’re working through those issues as we go.”

The dogs are currently being housed with Webster County Animal Protection, Pups & Paws Pound, Moffitt Animal Shelter, and at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, in addition to some being fostered in-home with experienced German shepherd owners.

While the dogs are being rehabilitated and moved towards forever homes, Webster County Animal Protection is seeking community support with ongoing emergency veterinary bills which will soon exceed $15,000.

“We’ve had many community members reach out asking how they can help, and we’re thankful for those who have helped in so many ways,” Benson said.

According to Benson as well as court records, none of the dogs received veterinarian care and each needed vetting as well as vaccines and treatment for their individual health needs, some of which have been significant.

-Submitted photo
Willow and Callie are two of the German Shepherd dogs currently at Moffitt Animal Shelter. They were removed from a puppy mill on Aug. 8. They are learning to be socialized and that they love hot dogs and playing together. While Willow and Callie are friends, they do not have to be adopted together.

Webster County Animal Protection currently has multiple fundraisers going on to help with the veterinarian bills for the dogs. Coalville Riverside Creations has a dog tag special going on and a T-shirt fundraiser is also posted on each of the organization’s Facebook pages. Monetary donations can also be made to the Goldfield Vet Clinic, Harmony Vet Clinic, or the Humboldt Vet Clinic.

“The biggest help right now aside from monetary donations to help cover spay and neuter costs and adoptions, would be to have people who understand how to work with puppy mill dogs to volunteer to help even just one by allowing one to stay with them or if anyone has connections to other shelters or rescues that have the capability of helping out,” said Benson.

Those interested in adopting one of the dogs should contact Pups & Paws Pound or the Moffitt Animal Shelter to begin the process.

“We’re being very diligent on match making for these dogs as they need to be in a home that fits their needs and that can look very different for each dog,” Benson said. “Some have more needs than others.”

She said this is also a good reminder to be careful and aware of where pets are purchased from, as all 29 dogs came from a puppy mill in rural Thor.

“Though these dogs are beautiful, funding operations like this only advances a backyard breeder’s ability to continue,” said Benson.

The dogs were removed from the farm of David Kelley Collan on Aug. 7 following more than two years of calls of neglect to Webster County Animal Protection as well as Webster County and Humboldt County law enforcement.

On Aug. 30, ownership of the dogs was formally removed by Webster County District Court Judge Derek Johnson and given to Webster County Animal Protection. Collan still faces animal cruelty charges and will be in court on Sept. 19.

How To Help:

Monetary donations for dogs’ care can be made to Goldfield Vet Clinic, Harmony Vet Clinic, or Humboldt Vet Clinic.