BC SPCA overwhelmed with donations to help 66 dogs seized from Langley puppy mill

The B.C. SPCA has been overwhelmed by the public’s generosity after they put out a call for donations to help 66 dogs seized from a Langley breeder.

The charity has been inundated with blankets, towels, cushions, toys and other items to help the dogs that were taken in the B.C. SPCA’s largest-ever seizure.

Many of the dogs are in serious medical condition with some have missing ears and eyes, broken limbs, and infections.

Officials say many will have to undergo a lengthy recovery before they are able to be put up for adoption.

WATCH: SPCA seizes 66 dogs from puppy mill in Langley

1:59 Charges pending in Langley puppy mill seizure

The B.C. SCPA thanks for the community for its kindness, but says cash donations are still needed to cover the $75,000 in medical costs associated with bringing the dogs back to health.

Donations can be made through the B.C. SPCA website.

A woman who purchased a dog from the property owners said she had no idea what was going on there.

Two years ago, Langley resident Christine Hansen said she was looking to add one more dog to her family. After an online search, she said she found a local breeder.

“I got them from Family Kennels in Langley, of course not knowing anything about it at that time,” said Hansen.

Hansen says it was back in June 2014, she first met Marie Lawlor. Marie and her husband Glen own a property in Langley and run a website promoting the sale of Bernese Mountain Dogs. On Tuesday, Investigators with the SPCA came to the Lawlor’s property, seizing dozens of dogs. The agency said the dogs–32 adults and 34 puppies–had serious psychological and medical needs. Some of the animals had broken limbs, missing ears and eyes and infections.

Hansen said once she found the ad online, she contacted Marie Lawlor to purchase a puppy.

“She had the pen right by the house and then there was other buildings at the back, a big barn, I remember a big barn, but I never had a clue. There was no barking, no crying of dogs or puppies or anything,” said Hansen.

Hansen said they chose a dog, Summer, and took her home right away. However, she says the dog was ill almost from day one–not eating and suffering from diarrhea.

“One day I was sitting in the family room and I heard a strange noise and I got up to look and that’s when I found her with this rectal prolapse, which I didn’t know what it was at that time, so we rushed her to the vet,” said Hansen, adding the dog never recovered from the condition.

“Within the next week I think it was, my husband took her up to Harrison and the same thing happened, only so much worse. It was just–everything was coming out of her.”

Summer was 12 weeks old at the time. Hansen said the family made a difficult decision.

“She was 12 weeks old, it would have been her second operation and there was absolutely no guarantees that it wouldn’t happen again. It was just so much that had come out of her that he couldn’t guarantee anything and I said, you know, a little 12 week old puppy that’s that ill, she’s not going to have a good life. So we did, we put her down. It was horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible,” said Hansen

She then contacted Marie Lawlor, who gave her a six month old puppy, but Hansen said the dog was nervous and required more care than she could provide. They decided to return it.

The Society said anyone in the market for a dog has to be vigilant.

“You always want to see the property, you always want to talk to the owner, if you can meet the mother and the father of the animal all the better, but really, really do your homework,” said Jane Talbot, the SPCA’s director of regional operations.

Hansen admits she didn’t – but now wishes she had.

“Ask to see all the kennels, which I didn’t do. Check everything out when you’re there. Spend time with the breeder and all their dogs, insist on seeing everything that’s there and hopefully that will help, you know,” said Hansen.

An investigation into what was happening on the Lawlor’s property continues. The SPCA is recommending charges.

– With files from Amy Judd