When Stevie was accepted into rescue at just a few weeks old it was obvious that something was seriously wrong with his eyes.

Due the location she was found - beside a busy carriageway - it is believed that Millie was dumped after a life of neglect. She was suffering from serious injuries to her leg and tail and she faced several months of veterinary treatment and care.

Missy and Cookie are 2 of the lucky dogs who this year have been helped by Molly Moos Rescue in Ireland to find new futures. This is a small rescue which relies entirely on donations and support from their community events.

When 7 year old Maya suddenly fell ill and collapsed, an emergency visit to the vet resulted in immediate admission to stabilise her. With costs rapidly rising an application for charitable assistance was made.

When Raiven left the breeding industry her adopters knew challenges lay ahead. They adopted her knowing she had a heart murmur and were not deterred. However, things became more complicated and a heart scan showed exactly what’s going on with Raiven’s heart.

It was a chance meeting at a dog event that brought our immediate attention to how Schnauzerfest could, and should help Bramble and Poppy. Both dogs were in need of essential dental work, which closely followed the expense of other unexpected veterinary treatment.

Anousha, Esther and Shimmi are in the care of Northumberland Dog Rescue. Veterinary treeatment will include neutering, dentals and for Anousha, removal of a mammary lump.

When 7 year old Luna developed diabetes it brought other health complications for her. Both eyes formed cataracts and these rapidly worsened, causing blindness. Luna’s vet recommended bilateral cataract surgery to help Luna’s quality of life.

When 6 year old Sherlock’s adopters contacted us it looked likely that an urgent blood transfusion was needed and more extensive investigations to identify the cause of his symptoms. His family had exhausted his insurance cover and other financial options in the weeks up to Sherlcok’s critical situation.

Alfie is around 8 years old. Not a lot is known about his life except that he most likely lived until recently in a puppy farm. All signs point to his life being one of deprivation and having never lived in a home. He is also blind.

Freya and Bree are elderly dogs who are in the long term care of Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Ireland. Both have multiple health conditions which are well managed through excellent veterinary care and medication. A Schnauzerfest Grant is supporting the monhtly costs of medication, to help MSRI get through the worst animal welfare crisis in their, and our history.

Enid has recently been adopted having left the breeding industry. Fortunately for Enid she has few of the issues which many dogs carry with them from that background and she is settling in well.

Rupert’s age is estimated to be around five. Not a lot of information on his background is available but it is known he was kept as a breeding dog. His shy and nervous ways suggest he was not treated kindly. He now has a good life ahead of him away from the breeding industry where dogs are treated as commodities. Rupert, like all dogs deserves so much better.

The rescue was faced with a difficult and upsetting situation when three schnauzers arrived with them. The dogs were in such an appalling state of neglect they were immediately admitted to the vet. Their coats were so badly matted they had to be completely removed under sedation.

When 13 year old schnauzer cross Tyson’s family gave him up to others to look after him, his world crashed. But, as is often the way, this turned out to be the saving of Tsyon. He has Cushings disease and s now loved, cared for and will be for the rest of his life.

Dee was in a council pound and attacked by another dog, causing serious injuries to her neck which became infected and infested with maggots. Her rescue sought immediate veterinary treatment as soon as she was in their care. There was a surprise waiting for everyone.

When 3 year old Snootsy began limping, his family were not prepared for the sad news to come. After investigations it was found that cancer was in Snootsy’s leg and to make matters worse, it had spread. This was devastating news for his family, made all the harder by existing serious health problems of Snootsy’s owner.

Winnie and Zoe lived in poor conditions before they had the better fortune to be taken in by Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Ireland. They had been used for breeding and it’s likely the conditions were typical of many low welfare breeding facilities.

Willow is a schnauzer cross whose life has been hard and neglectful. Her age is estimated to be around 6 years old and she has lived outside the whole time. When North East Terrier Rescue were asked to help her, she was due to be euthanised.

Tal and Nye, aged 10 years old, were taken in by Oldies Club when their owners could no longer cope with their declining health and the care they needed. A wonderful Oldies foster home is caring for the boys and they are doing very well. Their future is safe thanks to Oldies and in part, the support of a Schnauzerfest Grant

One morning in June we received an email with an urgent request to help find a home for 12 year Guy whose owner had recently died. The request came from a long time supporter who knows we’re not a rehoming charity, but hoped we could put our network into action and help.

When 9 year old Paddy’s owner contacted us for help it was obvious that circumstances were difficult, complicated and upsetting for all involved. She had made the difficult decision with her family, that Paddy’s best future was not with them.

Pippi’s care since adoption has proven unexpectedly costly for her adopter, as she has had a few health matters to address. She was also keen that Pippi be neutered and a Schnauzerfest Grant recently covered the costs of this.

10 year old brothers Bert and Ernie found their worlds turned upside down after the death of their owner. Fortunately All Dogs Matter rescue found a long term home for them together. It isn’t always easy to find homes for dogs in pairs, and when dogs are older, great homes are even scarcer.

When a rescue took in 3 adult females and 12 puppies, we quickly agreed to help with the veterinary costs such a large intake of dogs brings. We could only agree, because of your incredible support, thank you.

When Lollipop arrived in rescue her coat was so matted and filthy dirty it has to be removed under sedation.

Mario was abandoned at a vet practice, supposedly found as a stray. However, it was his owner who left him, having previously been asked by a rescue to wait while a foster home was put in place so they could accept him. This is the sad reality for more and more dogs as the cost of living crisis bites, adoptions are slowing and demand on rescues are rocketing.

When 8 year old Monty developed diabetes and soon afterwards suddenly lost his eyesight his owners were thrown into a situation they found difficult to manage. Monty struggled to cope with his blindness, even moving around the familiar surroundings of home was stressful.

When we were contacted to help diabetic Harvey, the circumstances were sad and complicated. His owner had died and before her death they were inseparable companions.

When 7 year old Bella’s adopters took her from the breeder, they had no idea that she had a mouth full of rotten teeth, most of which would need removing at a cost they could not afford along with her spay and other immediate costs. Insurance cover was in place but excluded the dental and spay.

When we were contacted by Cotton’s owner for urgent help, little did we know that what happened to Cotton was almost a mirror image of what Teddy was experiencing who we would hear about the following day. Two dogs in the same week with loss of eyesight caused by sudden onset of diabetes.

When 10 year old Teddy started bumping into things and a day or so later showed classic signs of diabetes, his owners suspected cataracts were causing his sight loss.

Bumble’s breeding days ended when she arrived into the safe care of Dogs Friends Rescue. Unlike many dogs from the commercial breeding industry, Bumble’s general health appears to be reasonably good. She will be spayed and have a dental before heading off to her new life.

When Pixie was a few weeks old we were asked to help secure her a safe future. Pixie has a congenital cataract which may, or may not require specialist intervention in future, or potentially loss of sight in the affected eye.

When Angel, Millie and Dolly left their breeder and arrived in rescue they were in a state of neglect. Their coats were filthy and matted, their mouths were full of rotten teeth and infection. It was clear no care had been given to them while they were making puppies for a lucrative, poorly regulated market.

When Nellie was taken in by her rescue, she left behind a life of breeding. One which has harmed her psychologically, causing her to be wary of humans and not understand they mean her no harm.

When Cilla started to drag her feet and have mobility problems a course of physiotherapy initially helped. However, just before Christmas she suddenly declined, almost losing the use of her back legs.

Puff and Pickles are breeding dogs but unlike many from the industry left it relatively unscathed as far as their minds and bodies go. Unusually, they are happy in human company and neither appear to have physical health problems. Supporting their rescue with routine vet costs to prepare them for adoption is the role of Schnauzerfest.

Whne Sukie and Trixie’s owner died they needed emergency help. Sadly a days old puppy who was found with them didn’t make it, but the girls are now thriving in their new home.

Susie arrived with Hope Rescue as a stray, no owner came forward. Soon after arriving with Hope she had seizures and it was necessary to admit her to the veterinary hospital to stabilise things. Under assessment it was clear her dental health is poor and there could be other problems going on.

When 10 year old miniature schnauzer Colin’s vet said he needed complex dental surgery, his owners knew it was going to be a challenge for them to afford the estimated cost which exceeded £1200. Colin’s health and well-being risked compromise if his treatment was further delayed.

At approximately 5 years old, Betty’s life as a breeding dog has been hard. The lives of breeding dogs are mentally and physically abusive. Repeated pregnancies take a terrible toll on their bodies. Lack of human contact and living in an environment where it is all about surivival, leaves dogs like Betty with deep rooted, sometimes irreparable, trauma.

Shortly rehoming her, during Ella’s spay operation a serious complication was discovered. Her bladder was full of struvite stones. The situation would have been catastrophic if swift veterinary treatment had not been given. Unfortunately, Ella’s insurance would not cover what turned out to be an expensive and life saving intervention.

When Buddy’s owner became too ill to look after him and there was no hope of things improving, her family turned to us for help.

Dogs are coming into rescue in alarming numbers, and Esme, Vanellope and Dolly were three of several taken in by FOAW over a single weekend. Discarded by the breeding industry, the dogs will receive all veterinary care that is necessary for them to have a healthy future in their adoptive homes.

The founder of a Surrey rescue caring for twelve dogs who were found dumped in a field described it as one of the most traumatic in her many years in rescue. The UK is facing an animal welfare crisis which is set to worsen, not least because breeders are callously discarding dogs who are not making them money.

No dog coming from the rough end of the breeding industry, as Nadia, Gabby and Kenny have experienced, comes out unscathed. But some are more obviously traumatised and damaged. Of the three dogs, Kenny was the most pitiful.

Suzie is elderly, around 14 years of age. Unlike humans dogs stay fertile their entire life. Sadly for Suzie this has meant a long lifetime being bred from.

When elderly Indie arrived as a stray with her rescue in Scotland it was clear that something was seriously wrong. She had a large abdominal lump as well as signs of long term neglect.

When dogs are neglected for years, as Genny has been in the breeding industry, it takes a hard toll on their physical and emotional health. Schnauzerfest works to support rescues with what can be high veterinary costs.

River's life has been tough. For 10 years he was stuck in a breeding place aka puppy farm. Life as a stud dog in a puppy farm is unrelentingly harsh.

Romeo is a young dog who was found as a stray. He was quickly seen by a vet as it was obvious something was seriously wrong with his heart and breathing. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was suspected, which if left untreated, cuts a dog’s life expectancy short.

Pippa is an ex-breeding dog in long term foster. She has found it hard adjusting to life, not helped by needing cruciate surgery. It’s hoped that this will help her move on both emotionally and physically from her difficult past.

Chase was handed to rescue when he was a few weeks old. He was born blind. In his foster home he adapted to the world of darkness in which he went about his days. But, as his condition could be remedied, a Schnauzerfest Grant was made available to cover the costs of his cataract surgery.

When Elvis and Presley were found on a golf course, they were in terrible states with badly infected ears and mouths. The Dog Warden believed Presley to be a schnauzer cross. No owners came forward and once released their rescue reached out to us for help with the veterinary costs.

Monty and Mabel are dogs who have been taken out of the miserable existence in a puppy farm and given all the love and medical attention needed by their rescue, All Dogs Matter. Both dogs, like many who are caught up in the breeding industry have suffered major emotional harm as well as physical neglect.

When Peggy arrived at her rescue, newly out of a puppy farm she was petrified of everything. People were especially terrifying to her. All she could do was huddle in a corner with one of the dogs who was saved at the same time. When Sweep joined her in foster, they bonded straight away.

An awesome foursome of dogs helped by collaboration between our charity and Starfish Dog Rescue. We knew that Starfish would be taking in a number of dogs who’d been saved from a terrible breeding situation. Their exact veterinary needs weren’t known, but we had it covered. Helping rescues which save dogs from the breeding industry is a prioty for Schnauzerfest.

Willow is a young schnauzer who arrived in rescue suffering with ‘cherry eye’. This is an uncomfortable condition which can lead to further complications such as corneal ulcers and conjuncitivitis. It can be cured with surgery and Willow is about to receive this.

Celeste and Lois are both dogs who have been used in the breeding industry but who are now safely getting on with their new lives. Neglect of the basic needs and health of dogs characterises the commercial dog breeding world.

Franki and Matilda arrived in rescue with what were assumed to be poorly hearts of unknown severity. Thankfully for Franki, after assessment her heart murmur was found to be low grade. However, Matilda’s problem was more serious. She has a congenital heart defect (PDA) and will require specialist heart surgery.

Just before Christmas Minnie and Pumpkin left the breeding industry. It’s clear both dogs have been overbred and unlike some, they arrived in rescue seriously overweight. This is not a sign of being indulged, it’s most likely they were fed cheap rubbish. Out of date pies is not uncommon food given to dogs in places like puppy farms.

South East Dog Rescue recently saved the life of Nllie when they took her in from the pound as an unclaimed stray. Nothing is known about her background, but it was initially thought she might be pregnant, thankfully that is not the case. She is extremely nervous and it’s clear life has been tough on this little dog.

Ava and Tilly have known the worst of life. Until they were rescued, their existences were purely about supplying puppies in the world of industrial dog breeding, aka puppy farming. Life for both dogs now looks a lot brighter as they recover and heal from their traumas in the safety of their foster homes.

When Starfish Dog Rescue took Mr Pip in from the pound it was clear things were not good for this elderly dog. His life had turned upside down and at around 13 years old, the upset was taking its toll. He was in a state of confusion and shock.

Maisie is an ex-breeding dog who has everything to learn about living in a regular home. One where nothing more is expected of her than the wish that she will grow to understand that she is loved and safe and that her world is a peaceful one.

Daisy was six months old when her owner asked the vet to euthanise her as she couldn’t be bred from due to a problem with her leg. It wasn’t clear what the issue was at that stage, but as she had no breeding purpose she was not kept.

When Tilly was adopted she’d received double cataract surgery whilst in rescue. She made good progress in her first year, gaining confidence. Then a major setback occurred. She suffered a detached retina in her right eye and lost sight in it. Now, seven years on from her adoption, Tilly is battling a further crisis with her eyesight.

When Inky arrived into the care of Arundawn Rescue she was 5 years old and had endured life as a breeding dog. Nothing more. She had not been loved, nor lived in a home, nor had a family to look out for her. She had however had many litters of puppies.

Sometimes when Schnauzerfest helps a dog it is in circumstances where outcomes are very uncertain, or an emergency presents. Charlie had a medical crisis culminating in the removal of one of his eyes. His remaining eye is developing similar problems and only surgery will offer any chance of saving it and giving him a partially sighted future. .

Taking 47 ill, injured and neglected dogs including several pregant femaies into their care after being saved from an illegal puppy farm was a major undertaking for Hope Rescue. The dogs all needed extensive veterinary treatment. Some had life threatening, untreated infections or injuries.

When 9 year old epileptic Alfie’s owner died his world became confusing and worrying for this friendly dog who loves company.

Starfish Dog Rescue took in Suzie and found that while she had lived in a home as a pet, her behaviour was more akin to dogs who had never known what it is to be loved or cared for. She was shutdown, wary of human contact and a shadow of the dog she should have been.

Mitzi’s body shows all the signs of having been confined to a cruel life of breeding. Her multiple health problems are being addressed and she is on a slow but steady recovery road from years spent supplying the lucrative puppy trade.

Henry is a young standard schnauzer whose owner approached the charity for assistance with the costs of neutering him following veterinary advice. Schnauzerfest is committed to promoting responsible pet ownership and where needed, to assisting those on low incomes achieve this.

Sooty is a schnauzer poodle cross with a topsy turvy past where he’s received no love and attention, training or socialising. Despite everything he’s an deeply affectionate, adorable dog who deserves, and is getting a second chance at life through the kind work of West Yorkshire Dog Rescue.

Megan’s elderly owner died. A friend stepped in but couldn’t manage her various medical issues, which include diabetes and blindness. Friends of Rescue took her in and will ensure she gets everything that she needs for a secure future.

Ella is a dog who was rescued from a backyard breeder. When she was taken in by Friends of Rescue (FOR) she was in a dreadful state: rotten teeth, infected ears and eyes as well as being severely underweight. It was clear she’d been bred from many times and at just 6 years old her body was worn out.

A few months ago Maggie was confined to a life of breeding. Her only value in the world was the puppies that her body could produce. It will never be known how many that was, or how much money she made the person who saw her as ‘stock’, only kept to produce more ‘stock’.

When youngsters Boris and Loki arrived into rescue it was clear to the experienced rescue team that both puppies were casualties of the ‘pandemic puppy’ upsurge in dog breeding and ownership. Boris in particular, at 15 weeks old had already had 3 owners. He had plenty of behavioural challenges, unsurprisingly.

When Scout was found straying it was clear her life has been hard and awful. Her coat was in a shocking state. Thankfully the Rainbow Rehoming Centre team kicked into immediate action and provided everything Scout needed.

Ivy is a dog who has known the worst of what the breeding industry means for today’s dogs. She lived in an Irish puppy farm and along with many other dogs was rescued in a large operation. See her transformation through the dedicated care of her rescuers.

When rescued Dido displayed common signs of having been extensively bred from while being neglected: extensive hair loss, missing teeth and anxiety around humans. Her ears are permanently damaged from repeated, untreated infections. She is also blinded by cataracts.

Nova was one of several dogs, all taken into rescue at the same time. All were in various states of neglect, having spent their entire lives up to the point of rescue, being confined in the grim conditions of a puppy farm. They had a variety problems but it was clear Nova also had serious eye problems. This affected how she engaged with humans in the new world in which she found herself.

At around 5 years old Millie was a breeding dog for most of that time. How many litters she has given birth to we can only guess at. Thankfully for her, those times are now over. She is living life comfortably, very much loved and as a cherished family member. As we believe all dogs should do.

Wherever she was confined, Clemmie’s days were dark, literally, for she is blind. Her blindness did not stop a breeder making use of her body, she has quite obviously had many litters. We were asked to help Clemmie at a stage where it wasn’t known whether her eyesight could be improved.

A Sunday morning email came in asking for our help. A terminally ill owner could no longer care for his elderly schnauzer. Saffron herself was struggling with health issues and the family were desperate to find a place of safety for her.

Dolly was discovered at a property attended by the emergency services. She was living with a large number of other dogs in awful conditions of neglect. All dogs were taken into rescue and given immediate welfare care. After weeks of rehabilitation and treatment Dolly was adopted by a wonderful new family.

Not many details are known about Nina’s life, but when rescued she was in a poor state including ear mites, a flea infestation, broken rib, and a large recurring abscess. This is all behind her now and focussing on her future, the new year will see her having cataract surgery which will further help her move forwards in her new life.

When Zena was taken in by the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre she was a confused, broken soul. Being totally blind, and having survived years in a puppy farm, it was no surprise she found everything utterly bewildering. Special care, gentle lessons in accepting love and kindness and generous amounts of time, patience and understanding were needed for this special girl to overcome her dark past.

Mungo has spent his life in a puppy farm. The experience will take time for him to recover from. While male dogs don’t have the endless demands of repeated pregnancies that females endure in puppy farms, their lives are just as miserable. Isolation, loneliness, neglect, everything is as bad for the boys as it is for the girls. Hormone driven fights are common. It’s a dreadful experience.

To live in a puppy farm is an experience no decent person would ever wish on a dog. It is an existence devoid of even basic kindness. To live in a puppy farm and to be blind is unimaginably hard. Confusion, fear and loneliness dominate. This was Teddy’s life until recently.

Just before Christmas Teddy arrived into the care of Hope Rescue in Wales. He was seriously ill and without Hope securing him immediate veterinary treatment he would have died. With complications from critical urinary tract issues, Teddy was admitted to hospital where he stayed several nights. At one stage it was touch and go whether he would survive.

Jingles is in the care of Friends of Animals Wales having been given up by her breeder. She cannot tolerate being handled at all, and will be staying in her experienced foster home until progress has been made with building trust and assurance that humans mean no harm.

Standard schnauzer Duke arrived into rescue in Cornwall when his owner’s health deteriorated. He suffered with a number of painful, infected skin lesions, probably caused by stress, neglect and diet. With dedicated help from his rescuers and veterinary treatment over several weeks, Duke is soon to head off to his new home, a far healthier and happier boy.

Eleven year old Wolfie and her sister, 4 year old Otta have lived with a family which sadly has experienced major upheaval. On arrival into rescue the most urgent thing was to tidy up their matted, uncomfortable coats. Post groom the sisters were perfectly happy, they have a good future ahead of them as soon as their veterinary needs are met.

Life has been harsh to Ollie. He lived in a shed for 9 years and when surrendered to rescue, his ears were so infected and infested by mites they were completely closed up, his mouth was full of rotten teeth and it was clear he was in severe pain.

A few weeks ago Nancy had no name, no life, no love. She was only valued for the puppies that her neglected body could produce for the puppy farmer whose ‘property’ she was. Nobody will ever know for sure what Nancy’s life to this point has fully entailed but it’s clear that little in it has been good.

Dolly has just started the best chapter of the story of her life so far. From now on, it’s going to get better and better. For Dolly has just been adopted having left a world that none of us would like to imagine - a Welsh puppy farm. She joins schnauzer sisters Elphie and Maggie, and 3 pet hens in Yorkshire for what promises to be a wonderful life.

Trevor is an 11 week old miniature schnauzer who sadly has been born with a cleft pallet. He was reared by a breeder who decided they couldn’t afford treatment. Luckily for this little fellow he was signed over to a rescue and since arriving in his foster home last weekend, Trevor’s doing very well. He requires 2 or 3 operations to fix his cleft palate. With his whole life ahead of him he not only needs this surgery, he absolutely deserves the best care possible.

Five year old Willow, an ex-breeding miniature schnauzer has not had a great life. No dog saved from a puppy farm has much of a life before they’re rescued. For the few like Willow who survive long enough to be rescued, life can be bewildering, scary and completely alien. For Willow, it has been all this in the few months since being rescued and made even more challenging because she has poor vision due to cataracts in both eyes.

For years Gracie had no name. She had no life. She existed in a puppy farm as ‘stock’ for a puppy farmer. Her only worth was the puppies that her body could produce. That was until the volunteers of Puppy Love Campaigns found her. But it was to be some months before they could take her to safety.

In September, Bella arrived into the care of the Friends of Animals Wales. She had been saved from a life of breeding in a puppy farm. She brought with her all the trauma of that life, plus health problems with included eyes damaged by cataracts.

In early March, an elderly, stray schnauzer was taken in by Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. He was in a poor state and it was clear that he had several health conditions. He wasn’t microchipped and his owners were not able to be located. Bleakholt has many decades experience in providing excellent rescue and sanctuary for vulnerable animals, Teddy was in safe hands.

Esme arrived with Ember into rescue 3 days ago. She’s around 3-4 years old and has lived her whole life in a puppy farm in Wales. It’s clear to her rescuers that she’s been bred from repeatedly and it was thought she might be pregnant. The good news for her is that following a scan yesterday, this is not the case. Her days of delivering puppies are over for this sweet soul.

Ember is a year old and has already had at least one, possibly two litters. Together with Esme, she’s been recently lifted from the grim reality of a Welsh puppy farm. Ember has bilateral cataracts. Her vision is poor, she’s been badly traumatised by what life has meant for her so far, but now she’s safe. She has a future. She will have everything she needs in order to live a great life in due course.

Elsa is a miniature schnauzer whose detailed background is unknown. What can be deduced is that her life has been complicated and undoubtedly involved producing puppies many times over. It’s quite possible she once lived in a regular home. But somewhere along the way she was bought by an unscrupulous breeder who saw the money to be made from this sweet dog.

Penny is four years old. She arrived at Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre will a bad lesion on her leg. She also has double cataracts, infected ears and a poor mouth. The result of life in a puppy farm.

Wispa has spent her life in a breeding kennel, probably a puppy farm. She certainly hasn’t been cared for. But, despite this, she is a happy, waggy dog, eager to get on and enjoy life. She does have significant health issues, namely problems with both back legs, with one stifle worse than the other. She is currently being assessed by a specialist to decide whether surgery is her best option. This will be costly, but donations will ensure it is possible.

Topsy’s is a difficult story, one that’s thankfully rare when it comes to DBARC’s schnauzers. Eight years ago Topsy arrived at DBARC in serious need of help, having been rescued from a puppy farm. Over a period of months she was given all the necessary veterinary care needed to get her new life off to a good and healthy start. This included restoring her eyesight with cataract surgery. She was fostered by Janet and loved by the whole DBARC team during her stay at the centre, before being adopted.

Roll on 8 years and Topsy is now around 12-14 years old. And she is back at DBARC

Schnitzel lived for several years in a puppy farm. The deprivation of this kind of life is something most humans cannot imagine our beloved dogs living through.

However, Schnitzel did and was rescued from it, landing into the safe care of the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre shortly after the October weekend of Schnauzerfest Walks. However, things did not go as expected for this sweet soul.

Meg arrived at the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre in a state of fear and confusion. She had been saved from a life of breeding in a puppy farm. Her fear of humans is typical of dogs who have been starved of human affection, regular, normal human contact and been subjected to the awfulness of living in a breeding shed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For a dog like Mara, from a puppy farm background, they are faced with a lot of challenges adjusting to living with humans. When the dogs are blind, this adds enormously to those challenges. Restoring Mara’s eyesight is one of the biggest gifts she can have, ready to head off to her new life with. This is what donations to Schnauzerfest achieve.

Pansy and Dennis arrived at the same time at DBARC. Both had eye problems but the extent of their vision wasn’t known for some time. While Dennis was a live wire from the start, despite years of ordeal in a puppy farm, Pansy was far more reserved, timid and wary of human interaction. Both had a long road ahead, but it was a road DBARC made as bright as possible for them both.

Buddy was born and raised at DBARC when mum Lara was saved, pregnant, from a puppy farmer. Just as he was about to head off to his new family and the rest of his life, disaster hit. It was found that he had been born with a cleft palate. If left untreated this would seriously compromise his health.

While their mum clung to life having undergone emergency surgery, Clara’s ten puppies faced an uncertain future. With no mum to feed them, it was down to Janet and her small team of volunteers to save their lives. With feeds needed every 2 hours and each feed taking that long, this was a mammoth night and day task that the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre faced.

At the end of January an 8 year old miniature schnauzer arrived at the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre, having escaped life as a breeder in a puppy farm. It’s unknown how many litters in those 8 long years she would have produced before being discarded by the breeder, but judging by the poor state of her, it was many. However, unlike the other dogs who arrived with her, she seemed a good weight, if anything, plump.

Konnie arrived at DBARC with an obvious fear of humans which brought out difficult behavioural issues. Having lived a life of neglect and abuse it was no surprise that she had problems adjusting to the kindness of humans. But, the DBARC team were sure there was something else going on.

Martha (aka Berry) arrived at DBARC with several other schnauzers who had been saved from puppy farms. They arrived a few weeks ahead of Schnauzerfest 2018 and all had multiple health needs and some were obviously blind.

Only Bronwyn will truly know the horrors she endured at the puppy farm, however the evidence of what it’s left her with are seen everyday. The resistance to walk through doorways, not approaching her family if they’re stood full height; cowering if anyone gets too close; noises we all take for granted that frighten her and make her run off to her safe place.

After a chance meeting in 2015 on a Dorset beach and hearing about Schnauzerfest, Anne and Steve adopted puppy farm survivor Bella in 2018.

River arrived at DBARC with extreme problems. At one point it looked unlikely that she would survive. It took months of specialist care, diagnostics, surgery and rehabilitation for her to be well enough to go home to her new life.

When Twinklet arrived at DBARC, nobody could have guessed that the dog who had just been saved from death after being dumped in a field with dreadful injuries would become quite the starlet she eventually did. Twinklet has become iconic for the work and dedication of the DBARC team and the successful outcomes that collaboration with Schnauzerfest brings.

Meme is described by her adoptive mum Kim as a little ray of sunshine. Despite coming from a rough life in a puppy farm where no love and little care would have been available, Meme from the moment she arrived at DBARC showed she had every intention of enjoying the life she now had to its fullest.

In the middle of Schnauzerfest 2016 we heard about a poor little schnauzer who’d clearly had a terrible life. She was blind and terrified. Through a great team effort involving a network of volunteers, Ginty arrived into the care of DBARC in the hope of having her sight restored.

Sitting there was a miniature schnauzer with a deep, gaping, badly infected hole in her throat about the size of a golfball. To have a wound that deep and infected meant she’d been neglected for a long time. Lacey was going to need some serious surgery and help to recover from this.

Ola, aka Ollie arrived blind at DBARC. She’d spent her life breeding puppies and many of those puppies will without doubt also lose their eyesight in future. We can only hope they are in safe and loving homes.

Daisy has suffered a tremendous amount of neglect and abuse in her life. This has left her with a terror of humans and behaviours which reflect this. She is highly averse to human interaction and while being cared for by the DBARC team would allow nobody by Janet, manager of DBARC, close to her.

In the lead up to the Schnauzerfest weekend we were contacted by someone in Scotland who wanted to know if she could do something special for Schnauzerfest. And so began a transformational few days for what has been an astonishing year for Schnauzerfest.

Two little puppies were taken in by DBARC. Both had been born with one fused back leg each (as a result of indiscriminate breeding). On the expert advice of the veterinary staff, both boys had their damaged legs amputated.

Mildred, a tiny scrap of a pup was surrendered to DBARC in the autumn of 2015. She was only around 5 or 6 weeks old and very poorly. She was lucky to be alive and the care given to her by the DBARC team and continued by her adopter Debbi was life-saving.

Dolly Dot arrived at DBARC with an obvious neurological condition. It was decided that for her best interest she would stay with a DBARC volunteer so that whatever happened in future, DBARC would be there to support her.

Tilly and Nora arrived together blind at the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre early summer of 2015. Both stayed in the expert care of Janet and her team for a few weeks and received specialist cataract surgery before going off to live a wonderful life on the south coast of England in August that year.

George was born blind with cataracts and micropthalmia, which is tiny eyeballs. He was operated on and initially it was successful. The surgery was complicated and specialist due to the size of his eyes. He could see for the first time ever in his life and although his vision was limited it was lovely to see him play ball.

When Trixie arrived into foster care with DBARC manager Janet, she was distressingly thin, emaciated and had obviously been seriously neglected in her life.

It’s very rare that a rescued puppy farm dog arrives without multiple health problems, usually requiring extensive (and expensive) veterinary care. The most dramatic being the dogs with little or no sight but others like Martie who have serious orthopedic issues. These always require treatment before they can go on to live good lives.