Over 800 dogs rescued from breeding kennel in central France

More than 800 dogs have been saved from a breeding facility in central France in the largest dog rescue ever carried out by the French animal protection association (SPA).

The rescue took place on November 3 and 4 at a kennel in Heugnes, Indre, after an investigation into suspected animal mistreatment and fraud at the facility.

The SPA worked with the gendarmerie nationale and the Brigade nationale d’enquêtes vétérinaires et phytosanitaires, the national brigade of veterinary and phytosanitary investigations, to remove the animals from the facility.

More than 20 breeds were reportedly found there, with dogs in different states of health and requiring individual care.

The operation saw the involvement of all 64 SPA shelters in France, with more than 160 staff and volunteers and around 90 vehicles deployed over the two days.

The dogs were taken to the association's shelters across France.

"They had to be taken out, reassured and transported to our shelters," said Tamara Guelton, the SPA's head of legal affairs for animal protection expertise, who led the operation.

"What mattered was that these dogs were safely taken to our shelters. This rescue, the largest in the SPA's history, would not have been possible without everyone's mobilisation," she added.

The SPA's director general, Guillaume Sanchez, also praised the teams involved, saying: "Taking care of more than 800 dogs in a single operation required extraordinary organisation. All our shelters responded, with remarkable commitment and professionalism."

Adopting a dog from a shelter in France

For people looking to adopt a dog, there are certain factors to take into account before making a decision.

In the first instance, be cautious when looking for animals online. Always check the organisation's identity and favour recognised animal welfare organisations with transparent adoption procedures.

France has several reputable animal rescue and welfare organisations including Les Amis des Animaux and the SPA. 

The first thing to do is visit the shelter and spend time with the dog, even arranging more visits if necessary, and ask the staff about its temperament, health, behaviour around children and other animals, and any specific needs.

It is important to take the dog’s needs into account, depending on its breed as well, such as how many daily walks it needs and for how long. Additionally, the time it will be left alone at home should also be taken into account, as well as holiday arrangements.

Adopting a dog is a big responsibility, and life will need to be adjusted accordingly to accommodate its needs.

Compulsory waiting period

Additionally, a legal certificat d'engagement et de connaissance (certificate of commitment and knowledge) is compulsory when adopting a dog, including from a shelter.

It must be issued at least seven days before the adoption and explains the animal's needs and the financial and practical responsibilities involved.

Prospective owners should also avoid rushing into a decision based solely on an emotional connection during a first visit. 

A dog may behave differently once it arrives in a new home, so it is good to discuss any potential difficulties with shelter staff beforehand.