The Colorado Department of Agriculture on Wednesday transferred slightly more than 100 dogs from a licensed dog breeder near Monte Vista who notified the state several weeks ago that she was going out of business.
“We were asked by the facility owner to basically help her facilitate the transfer of her dogs to other locations. “She was a licensed dog breeder and had some changes in her life and changes in her world that made it necessary for her to go out of business,” said Kate Anderson, who heads the state’s pet animal care facilities program.
The woman, who had been licensed since 1995, had predominantly Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
Anderson, a veterinarian, said “the vast majority” of the dogs were in good health.
The dogs were taken to the Pikes Peak Humane Society in Colorado Springs and to Pueblo Animal Services in Pueblo.
Anderson said that during an inspection of the woman’s facility three weeks ago, the breeder “made it clear she really wanted help.”
Just how long it will be before the dogs are put up for adoption will be up to the two shelters where they were taken.
Ann Davenport, spokeswoman for the Pikes Peak Humane Society, said the shelter will receive 65 of the dogs, the maximum the facility can take.
Each dog will be examined to determine what, if any, medical conditions may need to be treated and how much socialization must take place.
Davenport said the animals often are traumatized by such a move and it takes them several days to revert to their normal behavior. Some dogs are intimidated by the move while others will act more aggressively than normal, she said.
“It’s a complex process. It takes some time,” she said.
Donna Straub, director of operations for Pueblo Animals Services, said they received 41 dogs today.
She said that in addition to being vaccinated, spayed and neutered, the dogs will be cleaned up and groomed.
“They are all nice or scared to death,” said Straub, who said there didn’t appear to be a mean dog in the bunch. She said the puppies will cost $85 and the young adults $80. She said there are only a few older dogs, and their adoption fee will be $67.
Anderson said that if there are any other breeders who need to close, the state is “willing and able to help them as well.”
