NATIONAL MILL DOG RESCUE

The average per-dog cost for in-house veterinary care is $250.

This program is among our greatest prides. Our outstanding in-house team members, including three veterinarians, three technicians and one assistant, are experts in intricate and extensive surgical and dental procedures. They take immaculate care of our dogs.

Every incoming dog is examined, vaccinated, dewormed and heartworm-tested. Medical conditions dealt with frequently include pyometra, injured and infected eyes, ears scarred from prolonged untreated infections, parasite infestation, leg and foot deformities, blindness, deafness, hernias, mammary tumors, other cancers, decayed, infected teeth and rotted gums.

We also call regularly on many private-practice veterinarians for treatment of the most severely ill and injured dogs or those with conditions that require specialized diagnostic and/or surgical care. In 2014 and 2015, almost one-third of our dogs benefited from the skill and expertise of nine different specialty clinics in Colorado Springs and Denver. Our average cost for outside care in 2015 exceeded $10,000 per month.

It is important to note that expenses for outside veterinary care continue to rise because we are emphasizing the rescue of more dogs from truly horrific conditions and rescuing more seniors with complex health issues.

Educating the public is critical to our mission. It is the long-term solution to bringing about awareness and change in the commercial dog breeding industry.

Our rescued dogs themselves and the publicity generated about them are the best ways to capture the attention of the unaware public. From there, we inform everyone willing to listen.

We conduct an impressive, ongoing outreach program, reaching thousands of people through traditional and social media, as well as through service groups, school programs, Scout troops, special events, open houses and adoption fairs. We enjoy TV and radio coverage in Colorado Springs, as well as nationally, with articles published in newspapers, magazines and online.

Most discarded mill dogs have had minimal veterinary care and limited socialization with humans. Nevertheless, the great majority are amazingly forgiving and resilient. Once they receive the medical care they need and learn the trust of a loving hand, most are ready to move on to lifelong homes. The average time they spent with us last year was only 11 weeks. In many shelters that would be considered a long stay, but for a population of dogs that has endured such prolonged neglect, it is a relatively short time to heal.

About 20 percent of our dogs do suffer deeper physical and emotional effects from their former lives. These dogs may require extensive veterinary care and/or psychological rehabilitation. Nurturing them often takes many months. We are deeply committed to these dogs and are entirely successful in their restoration to health and eventual placement.

Within this group of seriously affected dogs are those whose grave lack of socialization in their former lives causes them to bite. They are in desperate need of security, consistency and, above all, love. They could rarely be given a chance in a conventional shelter setting, but thanks to our intensive rehabilitation efforts, we are able to give them the time and expertise they need to find their courage and learn to trust.

Our most effective tools for highlighting our available dogs--as many as 150 at any given time==are our website postings and social media platforms. Our volunteers and staff post exceptional photos and videos along with detailed biographies to introduce our dogs to the public. In addition to our own site, we post on petfinder.com, adoptapet.com, allpaws.com and petango.com.

We adopt an average of 60 dogs a month. We are extremely careful in placing our dogs. Potential adopters are screened through an online application that includes questions about lifestyle, expectations, home environment, pets past and present, family members and more.

Applicants who are not deterred by the need to housetrain, leash train, and deal with fear responses or special needs move to the next step--a comprehensive phone interview.

If they appear to be a good match, counselors contact the veterinary references and request photos of the fenced yard and close-up photos of the gates. If at any point a counselor questions the suitability of an applicant, a home visit is scheduled.

Overcoming the behavioral challenges of some puppy mill survivors is certainly not for everyone. Our adoption process helps us and our applicants make the important decision as to whether one of our dogs is the right fit for them. Our goal is to ensure that, through our very best efforts, we are selecting only the finest permanent, loving homes for our dogs.