Rescue has been bombed with dogs of all sorts from puppymills since COVID. Increased demand because everyone was staying home and was able to take care of a new dog. So puppymills increased production to fill the demands, and then people went back to work and to the office. Meanwhile the mills had increased their breeding stock and puppy production. Now with no market for their puppies, and too many breeding animals, the mills turned to rescues to pick up their mess. You would think that at some point the dogs would slow down on coming in, but that’s not been the case and each year we are seeing the numbers increase. That’s alongside people giving up their dogs as they returned to work.

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For years we have seen the numbers from the regional rescues of the BMDCA, but those numbers did not reflect the larger scale of Berners needing rescue throughout the country, especially in the mid-west and east coast states. Independent rescues like the Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition (BARC), Heart of Michigan BMD Rescue, Berner Friends Worldwide Rescue and the new National BMD Rescue Network, are picking up most of the dogs being dumped. They get calls from the “breeders” that say, “either you take the dogs, or we’ll shoot them”.

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They are also told they need to be gone in just days. So, these rescuers have to mobilize at almost a moments notice to try to get the dogs and then try to line up fosters for HUNDREDS of dogs each year. They have had to purchase transport vehicles that can safely carry multiple unsocialized, untrained, sick and malnourished dogs, all needing medical care and grooming. Many for the first time in their lives. They are often shut down and very fearful of everything. Most have never been in a home, many have never been on grass. They are covered with filth, matted and starving.

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These groups take them on what they have termed “Freedom Rides” to their new fosters. There is where their lives begin again. They are cleaned, vetted, and given a start to learn what Berner life is supposed to be like. Some stay shut down, not willing to drop their guard after a life of neglect as a living crop for greedy uncaring humans. But there is a light! And that’s the Berner rescues!

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To do that they need all our help. Regional and independent rescues need volunteers as foster homes, transport people, financial support, adopting homes, supplies such collars, harnesses, and groomers. If you can’t provide a service, please think about donating to one of those organizations. There is also the BMD Charitable Foundation that has the ability to assist all these groups and the regional rescues. Last year there were 996 Berners Berners rescued with a cost of just shy of $870,000. This shows that ALL rescues need funds to continue their work. So PLEASE consider donating. All (except the BMDCA) are 501c3 charities, so your contributions are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows. You can make donations to each at the sites above.