1. Fern

Fern found her way home to Anoroc in 2005. A puppy mill rescue, she spent the first six years of her life in a rabbit hutch in a breeder's backyard with 250 other dogs. She had no human contact, little to eat, no vet care and was bred 12 times. The only times she was removed from her cage were painful experiences. Fern is now enjoying a pampered, spoiled life, keeps everyone in line, and proudly wears a charm on her bling-bling collar that reads "talk to the tail".

2. Dempsey

Dempsey came to us in 2004 after being found in a Dempsey Dumpster with seven other liter mates. She could not walk the first several months of her life and was extremely ill. After much encouragement, Anoroc therapy and the constant attention of our staff, Dempsey eventually walked. Since then she has proven her fighter’s heritage and races the other dogs up the steps with the defiance of a boxer. She is the rough and tough tomboy of the pack constantly challenging the rest with exuberant play. Her favorite junk foods are peanuts and potato chips. She loves motorcycles and was most likely a Harley babe in a past life.

3. Peanut

Peanut, a puppy mill rescue, came to Anoroc in 1994. She was found dehydrated, malnourished and very ill. She weighed one pound. There was little hope for Peanut's survival, the vets advised that she would not make it. But faith, a few days of bottle feeding and extra care has turned Peanut into the pudgy, ‘baby's got back’, senior of the pack. She is happily addicted to peanut butter, organic, dog biscuits. Which she demands several times a day. And is the most effective alarm clock known to man – her morning dog biscuit cannot wait past 6 a.m.

4. Cricket

Cricket our Yorkie affectionately known as ‘Dorkie’ (due to her tendency to walk into walls and trip over her own paws) is the most recent member to our pack. With Cricket it was love at first drool – our agency president stumbled upon her (quite by accident – or so she says) while walking past a rescue dog fair. As Deborah tells it, Cricket was in a crate, tongue hanging out, drooling. Cricket’s eyes followed all passer byes and watched everyone pick up the perfect dogs while she remained in her crate alone and ignored. Cricket could not hold her tongue in due to severe trauma to her jaw, most likely caused by a human. Deborah made the mistake of picking her up. Cricket proceeded to rest her head on Deborah leaving a large drool spot. Five minuets later she was in Deborah’s car and officially part of the Anoroc pack.

5. Sam

Sam came to Anoroc in 2006. She was skin and bones, had little hair, her back was hunched due to severe malnutrition. Sam was missing all her teeth but two due to extreme neglect. We know the least about her story but her eyes spoke volumes – this was one sad, scared dog. It took Sam a few months to feel safe and secure at first she would bite or rather ‘gum’ anyone who tried to pick her up. After weeks of good food, and TLC Sam gained weight and grew back her lovely red coat. Today she is a complete attention hog, has a ‘happy dance’ and loves to be held.

6. Roxie Hart

Roxie or affectionately known as ‘Roxie Bad’, is the complete rotten one of the pack. She is a total flirt, demands to be held all day long and has everyone wrapped around her little paw. Roxie’s life has been happy from birth and our only one that was not a rescue.

Please help stop animal abuse by learning more about pets for purchase. Interested in adopting a rescue? Visit petfinder.com to learn more. Also visit stoppuppymills.org to learn more about puppy mills.