CARING FOR DOGS IN NEED

Last week, authorities took nearly 200 dogs from a farm near Birch Tree described by those same authorities as a feces-covered Ozarks "puppy mill" where they said sick or unbreedable dogs were put in pens to die and where a large ditch filled with dead animals was found.

The dogs were brought to the Cape Girardeau Humane Society, where about 100 dogs were euthanized. The rest were made available for adoption. The owner of the dog-breeding facility says she is being "railroaded" by federal officials and that conditions weren't as bad as what have been reported. Ultimately, the truth probably will come out.

Regardless of the details of the case, dozens of dogs were put into the local Humane Society, where workers were plenty busy even before welcoming their new guests. With the help of volunteers, Humane Society staff members were able to care for the dogs and put the word out, hoping the animals wouldn't meet the fate of so many at the Humane Society: a painless death.

The response of the people of Southeast Missouri was overwhelming. Not only did donations of food and money come pouring in, but offers to adopt the dogs far exceeded the number of animals available. Would-be dog owners were put on a waiting list, allowing the Humane Society to select the best homes for the dogs.

Ideally, those who aren't able to adopt one of the dogs will chose to adopt one of the other animals at the Humane Society that are just as needful of a home.