MISHAWAKA ― They pull at your heartstrings - dogs rescued from puppy mills. And this weekend you can help some of them by giving them a new home.

A local rescue group is having a doggie debut. You may remember a few weeks ago more than two dozen border collies came to Mishawaka from a puppy mill in Tennessee. They were dirty and scared, but now they are vaccinated, micro-chipped, spayed and ready to find a home.

They have spent the past couple weeks in foster homes, and on Sunday, 25 adult border collies will be available to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pet Refuge on West 6th Street in Mishawaka. You will be able to play with them, read about their personalities and fill out an application to take one home.

Keep in mind, these dogs have been through a lot ― from not knowing when they were going to get their next meal, to living in a cage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And before you even think about adopting one of them, you need to know what you're getting into.

“Border collies are high energy dogs,” said Linda Chandler with Pet Refuge. “So if you think he's just going to lie on the couch and look at you, that is not going to happen. You need to be a very active person - a runner, jogger, have a big backyard.”

Again, if you want one of the dogs, they are making their public debut from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Pet Refuge in Mishawaka. You won't get to take one home right away, because Pet Refuge will check your references and match dogs with homes they think are appropriate. For more information, call Pet Refuge at (574) 256-0886.