Harley to the Rescue - Two Puppy Mill Survivors Rescue 165 Dogs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Sept. 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Harley, a 13 year old Chihuahua and an iconic figure in the social media world, spent 10 years as a commercial breeder in a puppy mill.  His one-eyed (a result of being power-washed inside his cage at the puppy mill), grizzled image is immediately recognizable to his 30,000 fans.  Although suffering with congestive heart failure, he actively uses his facebook page to spread awareness about the cruel realities of puppy mills and to raise funds for non-profit rescue groups.

Teddy, lived his first 7 years in a puppy mill and was rescued from his Kansas cage a year ago. As Harley's official 'team driver' he uses his facebook page with 11,000 fans to spread puppy mill awareness and share his experiences of learning about life outside the cage.

‘Harley to the Rescue’ started out as a campaign in May 2013 to raise the $2,500 needed to fund one rescue of approximately 25-30 dogs.  As Harley said, “I guarantee that 100% of your donation will go directly to saving puppy mill dogs.”

Harley's loyal fans responded, the initial 'fund one rescue' goal was quickly reached, and then took off, leading to two separate rescue missions in 2013. The team of Harley and Teddy worked together with Theresa Strader, NMDR founder, and the organization's rescue team to plan and execute each rescue mission throughout the Midwest.  To date in 2013, they have rescued 165 dogs from puppy mills.  In addition, they have raised more than $50,000 via generous online donations and the sale of over 1500 custom-designed 'Harley to the Rescue' items, designed and distributed by FLOAT, a company that supports non-profit fundraising efforts

Their job didn't end with raising the funds needed to rescue these dogs from puppy mills.  Accompanied by their human parents, both dogs traveled on multiple trips throughout the Midwest, saving the dogs and networking them via social media to help the dogs find their forever homes.  Each of their missions was documented and shared via social media for their fans to experience their rescue trips.

Their work is not done.  'Harley to the Rescue' will continue on through 2014.  Dogs Saving Dogs!  Follow their mission and support their cause.

National Mill Dog Rescue is a Colorado Springs based 501(c)(3) organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and re-homes discarded commercial breeding dogs from puppy mills.  NMDR relies on volunteers to care for the dogs, from the moment they are surrendered to the time they are adopted and beyond.  The organization depends on the generosity of the public to provide the high level of care for our dogs and to continue to be able to save them.

National Mill Dog Rescue started with a single sentence in an e-mail that Theresa Strader received: “50 Italian Greyhounds in need.”  A large-scale breeding operation, or ‘puppy mill’ was going out of business and all 561 dogs were going to auction.  One of those dogs was a seven-year-old Italian Greyhound named Lily.  The moment their eyes met through the wire of Lily’s tiny cage, Theresa knew her life had changed forever and that this new life would include Lily and a mission to bring about lasting change.

In honor of Lily, National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007 to give a voice to mill dogs across the country.  Since then, NMDR has rescued over 8,000 puppy mill survivors, all while maintaining a strict no-kill policy. Every single dog that comes through the doors is spayed or neutered and given whatever additional medical care they need - without exception.  They are groomed, many of them for the very first time.  Years of filth and matted fur are removed, allowing the beautiful dog underneath to shine.  Soon they learn about all the simple pleasures that they had never previously known – clean water, toys and treats, a soft bed, and most importantly, the love of a human companion.

Learn more about "Harley to the Rescue": https://www.youcaring.com/harley_to_the_rescue

Harley's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/harleyfreighttraintaylor

Teddy's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/teddybearburchfield

NMDR Website: http://milldogrescue.org