National Mill Dog Rescue is an organization doing amazing work – 10,000+ rescued mill dogs worth of amazing. The Peyton, CO based 501(c)(3) was established in 2007 by Theresa Strader, all because of one sweet, neglected little Italian Greyhound named Lily.
About Lily
Lily spent the first seven years of her life in servitude to breeders. Like many mill dogs, Lily was expected to produce lucrative puppies without so much as a veterinary checkup in return. Due to this horrifying treatment Lily suffered the effects of multiple health problems – from the degenerated roof of her mouth and lower jaw to tumors throughout her mammary glands. She was worn out, used up, and terrified of humans (justifiably so).
Finally, poor little Lily’s luck turned when Strader rescued her along with a dozen other abused dogs from a dog auction in Missouri. Strader, despite being a veteran of the dog rescue scene, vouches that the months after bringing Lily home were an eye-opening experience even for her. Yet even with her horrifying start in life, Lily thrived on the medical care and love she received and eventually allowed humans into her heart. She passed away in peace in the loving arms of family in May 2008.
It is in Lily’s honor that Strader and her team of volunteers have continued the work of saving these precious creatures from a caged life of fear and pain. Strader is determined that her sweet pup’s life of suffering will not be in vain, and thus far she has excelled at accomplishing that goal.
NMDR Facts
The rescue runs on 95% volunteer power. Volunteers number over 800, and the only paid staff are a veterinarian, three veterinary technicians, kennel cleaners, a rescue coordinator, an adoptions manager, a foster care manager, two part-time office staffers, and an accountant.
NMDR makes dog runs twice a month and takes in over 70 neglected animals each trip (half of whom are transferred to partner rescues nationwide). In 2011 Petco gifted the rescue with a Sprinter van to assist them in their dog rescue efforts.
It takes about 6-8 weeks to rehabilitate a mill dog, and the average age of the animal taken in by the rescue is seven years, although among the 100+ dogs available for adoption on the website, ages range from under a year old up to senior pets.
Adopting from NMDR
Strader runs a tight ship in order to ensure that her pups go to good, loving homes. While the adoption requirements are strict, this helps ensure that these animals who have already gone through so much don’t have to endure more suffering in life. Some of the non-negotiables include:
- Yard must be fenced (occasionally – rarely – we will place a dog in a condo or townhouse with a small outside area)
- Dog must be an inside pet (no outside dogs)
- Dog will not be chained
- Adoptive families must adhere to local pet laws and maintain routine medical care and treatment
- Safe collar with ID tags must be worn at all times
- If something happens that causes the adoptive family to need to return the dog, the dog must be returned to NMDR
The work that National Mill Dog Rescue does is heartbreaking, heartwarming, physically and emotionally demanding, and everything in between. But it’s paying off. In addition to the more than 10,000 dogs who have been given a new lease on life since 2007, the organization has received much media attention as well as being named one of the best non-profits of 2015 by GreatNonprofits.org.
If you are in the market for a new dog, please consider adopting one of their available dogs. There are things you can do to help, even from afar. Visit the NMDR website for more information.
