It takes many things to choose to save a life.  Heart. Soul. Resilience. Resources. A strong stomach. And money, all the while knowing you are doing the right thing. The team, comprised of staff and volunteers that make up the Animal Rescue Corps, under the leadership of Founder and President Scotlund Haisley, are the very embodiment of those aspects, choosing to go into hauntingly horrendous places to rescue animal upon animal from neglectful, dangerous conditions.  This summer is proving to be no different than those past, but they continue to work diligently to thwart and destroy the efforts of those who do not appreciate animal life, only what they can get monetarily through endangering countless lives working puppy mills.
In course of just under a week, ARC conducted three significant rescue operations in Tennessee counties, saving the lives of more than 100 animals in the process.
The first rescue, dubbed Operation Dire Straits, was conducted on June 2, when ARC assisted the Sheriff’s Department at a puppy mill in Morgan County.  They were expecting dogs, rescuing 20, but unexpectedly found a donkey, miniature donkeys (4), ponies (2), a potbellied pig, roosters (3) and a hen.  All-in-all, 32 animals were taken.  The owner of the property, who claimed to be an animal breeder and did not live a the location, was arrested. put into custody, and charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty following violations cited by law enforcement of both state and local animal cruelty laws.
On June 7, ARC was called out to Gibson County by the Sheriff’s Department, to another despicably atrocious breeding location for their second rescue, Operation Summer Saves I.  This time it was mostly small breeds, 48 in total, that were rescued.  Sadly, two dogs were found dead, one of them still inside a cage with two others.  The property owner, a breeder and seller of dogs, stated she was aware of the dead dogs and had been so for some time. She was subsequently charged with 50 counts of cruelty to animals.
The third effort, Operation Summer Saves II, happened June 8, this time in Macon County in conjunction with the area Animal Control Officer. Â The Lafayette property owner surrendered five cats and 13 large breed dogs. Â The mostly husky and husky-mixes were rescued from pens, chains, and found running loose through what was presumed to be run off from a septic system. Â Rescuers had to take extreme precautions for their own health and safety donning protective equipment. Â The rescued animals suffered conditions ranging from being covered in mud and feces to parasite infestation among other issues a due to their extreme neglect.
To say the situation of these poor animals was criminal just barely scratches the surface of what their horribly tragic reality had been prior to the rescues by ARC. The absolute compassion and dedication of this amazing organization is doing what they can to save animals and stop puppy mills is astounding.  And they won’t stop until puppy mills are eradicated.
Learn more about Animal Rescue Corps by visiting their website or Facebook page to see how you can help stop the horror of puppy mills and animal cruelty.
Animal Rescue Corps website – www.animalrescuecorps.org
Animal Rescue Corps Facebook page –Â www.facebook.com/AnimalRescueCorps/?fref=ts
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