NEW YORK ( 1010 WINS) – Seventy dogs and puppies rescued from an Arkansas puppy mill were making their way to New York to find new homes Monday.

North Shore Animal League rescued the Chihuahuas, Shih-Tzus, Papillions and Pomeranians after the commercial breeding operation was shut down. The Rescue Team was dispatched after getting an urgent plea from the National Mill Dog Rescue.

“Their fate was unknown so we wanted to help rescue them and help save 70 innocent lives,” Devera Lynn, Vice President of Communications for North Shore Animal League America, told 1010 WINS.

Upon arrival in Port Washington, N.Y. the dogs were to be thoroughly evaluated medically, behaviorally and socially, and be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

The animals will be available for adoption starting Thursday afternoon.

Among the rescued dogs are dozens of puppies ranging in ages from 8 weeks to 4 months, as well as adult dogs.

“Many of the dogs that you see in pet stores come from these puppy mills,” Lynn warns. “It’s a horrible situation and unfortunately the more people go to pet stores the more operators will continue to have these facilities running.”

Earlier this month, the Animal League also rescued 120 dogs from a puppy mill in Missouri.