MONTREAL - An anonymous dog breeder based in rural Quebec has handed over 23 dogs to an animal rescue group.

The canines arrived in Rosie Animal Adoption Centre in Pierrefonds slightly unfed and somewhat unwashed but otherwise in passable shape.

"They're not extremely thin. I've seen much worse. They do have some health issues that's for sure," said Patricia Ledoux a volunteer at Rosie Animal Adoption.

The dogs were tended to immediately and lined up to be spayed, neutered and vaccinated in preparation for adoption.

Unlike in other puppy mill stories the donor, located about two hours past Quebec City, was under no pressure to surrender the dogs and appeared to have done so for the good of the hounds.

The group promised him anonymity in return.

"He is a backyard breeder who originally had 75-plus dogs," said Ledoux. "He had 45 that I saw today plus seven or eight puppies."

It appears he won't be raising any more hounds.

"He signed a surrender form over to us and was willing to give so that's one that's going out of business," said Anne Dubé, Director of Rosie Animal Adoption.