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Dogs Rescued From Puppy Mill Get A Second Chance

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Nearly 80 dogs recently rescued from a puppy mill in Oklahoma are getting a second chance.

The pups didn't even have names until North Shore Animal League rescued them last week, CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported.

"A puppy mill is a commercial breeding facility and the only job these animals have is to breed," Joanna Yohannan with the organization said.

Dr. Gerard Laheney said it's a life of neglect.

"The public sees the puppy in a pet store, it's very cute. They forget that their parents are somewhere off and being neglected," Dr. Laheney said.

Many of them, like Ranchero, are riddled with medical problems.

"That's basically from a chronic eye infection so that's something that wasn't treated in the past. He also has ear infections as well," Dr. Laheney said.

The medical issues are easily treated but often ignored and most puppy mill dogs spend their lives confined to cages.

"Once they outlive their usefulness, they're discarded. They can either be euthanized, they can be sold off again at auctions to locals who may want to try to get another litter out of them," Yohannan said.

The lucky ones are rescued and finally get the care and attention they need.

"They get it here from us," Anthony Angioletti said, a shelter employee.

The dogs who were rescued will be available for adoption at Citi Field on Saturday, along with cats who also need homes. Altogether, about 200 animals will be up for adoption.

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