Animal Rescue Corps rescues 86 dogs from Missouri breeding operations

Operation Eclipse gives surrendered animals a path toward recovery and placement

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national nonprofit animal protection organization, assisted National Mill Dog Rescue with the transport and care of 86 dogs surrendered from commercial breeding operations in multiple locations or counties across southern Missouri. Two kittens also joined the transport back to ARC's Rescue Center outside Nashville. The effort was dubbed Operation Eclipse after ARC's team arrived in Missouri during a stunning lunar eclipse.

The dogs, including poodles, mini Australian shepherds, doodles, dachshunds and English bulldogs, appeared to be in generally good physical condition but will be receiving complete veterinary exams, grooming and time to adjust to receiving physical care and contact which is unfamiliar to them. Most are shy and uncertain during this transition, but ARC staff expects them to come around with patience and care.

The two kittens arrived with more serious medical needs. One had undergone surgery to remove an injured eye, while the other was found abandoned and partially blind. Both had been rescued by an ARC contact in Missouri and joined the transport back to ARC's Rescue Center in Tennessee.

"Some of these animals came to us needing little more than basic care and some time to learn that they are safe," said Tim Woodward, executive director of Animal Rescue Corps. "Others will need more care for medical issues that have gone unaddressed like dental disease or tumors that need to be removed.  The ones that need our patience and understanding the most are the adults who have spent their whole life isolated and not understanding why. Our job is to begin to earn their trust and write over their past experiences with new positive ones."

The planning for Operation Eclipse began as ARC continued caring for over 100 animals from several recent large-scale rescue operations. Immediately before departing for Missouri 47 dogs and one cat left ARC's Rescue Center headed for ARC's placement partners and the next step of their journey to a home. The Rescue Center, vehicles, caging and crates all had to be cleaned, sanitized and reset before bringing in the additional 88 animals. The logistics, trained volunteers and resources necessary to carefully coordinate the safe handling, transport, medical and daily care for large groups of animals is extensive

"There is never a day when there aren't more animals who need help," Woodward said. "You finish one rescue knowing another call may come tomorrow, but you keep making room, finding solutions and doing everything you can to say yes. These animals deserve that chance, and we're going to do everything in our power to give it to them."

More information about ARC's work and how to support its ongoing rescue efforts is available at animalrescuecorps.org/.

About Animal Rescue Corps

Since 2010, Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection nonprofit organization, has provided large-scale animal rescue for communities that lack resources to address abuse. In addition to emergency rescue, ARC offers education and shelter relief. ARC's mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals. In 2025, ARC Executive Director Tim Woodward was honored as a CNN Hero and selected as one of five finalists for the CNN Hero of the Year award. To learn more about Animal Rescue Corps, visit animalrescuecorps.org/.

SOURCE Animal Rescue Corps