Exposing the connection between puppy mills and pet stores, and encouraging adoption More>

Prev of 87 stories Next

Puppies Aren't Products

From Puppy Mill to Pet Shop

April 28, 2007 : 12:00 AM

The truth exposed about one large-scale breeder in Wisconsin

Click Here to read about a television expose, aired April 26th, including footage of Puppy Haven.

By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Network

Pet stores around the United States sell approximately 3,000 of Wallace Havens’ cute, tiny puppies every year. His kennel, called Puppy Haven sells pups to stores in New York, Florida, California and in major cities in the Midwest, supplying puppy-hungry customers with “designer” breeds of every possible sort, from Puggles, to Chugs, Bugs, Doodles and even his newest blend, the “Mini St. Bernard.” That’s a gross profit of $900,000 per year made by selling puppies to the public. Yes folks, this kind of breeder really is where puppies in pet stores come from

But things are not as idyllic at Puppy Haven as pet store customers would hope to believe. Anyone faced with a frighteningly cute little bundle in a pet store would like to believe that he or she really did come from a “good breeder”. But if the customer is staring into the face of a Puppy Haven dog, that little one’s mom and dad are still living at a facility designed for mass-producing pups; one with several USDA violations for unacceptable housing conditions; one that was suspended last August from the American Kennel Club for ten years due to unacceptable care and living conditions. Is this really the place pets should come from? Click here to learn more about Puppy Haven

Breeding for Profit=Puppy Mill
When customers ask salespeople at pet stores, “Where do you get your puppies?” Inevitably, the answer is “From breeders.” But what does that mean? It means they come from commercial breeders—breeders who are licensed to sell dogs “wholesale” to pet stores; breeders like Puppy Haven. It is also the definition of a puppy mill. Here are some statistics on Puppy Haven kennel:

-Keeps an average inventory of 1200 adults and 400 puppies
-Raises about 30 breeds, and 30 cross-breeds
-Is USDA-licensed as a broker and sells directly to pet shops in FL, CA, Milwaukee and Chicago (brokers are also licensed to breed)
-Sells pupies to pet stores for $300
-Sells a total of about 3,000 puppies every year
-Keeps 14 employees, some full and some part time

So no, the puppies in pet shops are not home-raised. They may have registration papers, but those say nothing about the conditions of where they came from, or of that puppy’s health (or that of his or her parents).

Pictured: Bentley, now grown up, but still with paralyzed back legs.Terri Woodcock, of Wisconsin Retired Breeders Rescue knows exactly where those puppies in pet shops come from. Several years ago she called up Puppy Haven and asked what they did with dogs who couldn’t breed anymore. Wallace Havens said Terri could take his castoff dogs for a flat fee of $50 apiece. In the past several years, Havens has called Terri every few months to say he has some dogs for her—usually six to twelve. These are the ones with congenital defects, sick moms and puppies, some can’t breed anymore, some are puppies the pet stores won’t take.

That’s how Terri took in a Labradoodle who needed $2300 in vet care to repair her ectopic ureters (she constantly dribbled urine before surgery), a Lhasa/Shih Tzu puppy named Bentley who had paralyzed back legs, and even puppies so riddled with bacteria and disease that they died soon after Terri got them to her vet. Click Here to read about the dogs Terri had rescued dogs from Puppy Haven.

Puppy Haven now has an area where people can come in and pick out puppies—straight from breeder to customer. This is the only area of the kennel that Terri has seen, and she said that, at least that section is not the horrific puppy mill scene that many are. But it is also set up just for visitors. Terri said, “It’s just a huge operation where the dogs are treated like cattle. They don’t get any socialization.”

Less Than 3 Minutes a Day
If Puppy Haven has 14 employees to care for 1600 dogs, that means that even if they all worked full time (though they don’t—some are part time), each would be in charge of 114 dogs every day. Calculate out that in a forty hour work week, those employees are working a total of 560 hours (which they aren’t since some are part time). That means that each day, in order to care for 1600 dogs, employees can spend three minutes on each dog.

That’s also assuming that every minute of the eight-hour work day is spent directly caring for the dogs—no answering phones, no lunch or bathroom breaks, no stopping for anything. Is less than three minutes a day enough time to spend on a dog?

Obviously not.

Pet Store Puppies from “Good Breeders?”
Click on the links below to see inspection reports from the USDA, courtesy of www.petshoppuppies.com. Violations are cited in red. Remember that Puppy Haven is still going strong, breeding and selling to pet shops at this very moment.

Report from July 13, 2004

Report from April 25, 2003

Report from August 7, 2002

Report from February 20, 2002

Report from May 3, 2001

Report from October 21, 1999

In August, 2006, Havens was suspended from the American Kennel Club for 10 years (the harshest penalty they can hand down) and fined $2000 for “Violation of AKC’s record keeping and dog identification requirements, and non-compliance with the AKC’s Care and Conditions Policy (unacceptable conditions, dog and/or facility).”

As one of the largest breeders in the country, Puppy Haven supplies many pet stores with puppies, including:

Petland

Puppy Paradise

Noah’s Ark Pet Center

These are only a few of the stores selling Puppy Haven dogs.

What to do with this information?

1. Never buy a puppy from a store, online or any place where you can’t see both of the puppy’s parents and where they were raised. Better yet, adopt pets instead of buying! Millions of healthy pets are euthanized every year (many are purebred and/or young). Check www.petfinder.org for hundreds of pets in your area who are looking for homes.

2. Support legislation to regulate commercial pet breeding (check www.network.bestfriends.org/truth) often for the most current information.

3. Tell everyone you know to never buy puppies from a pet shop, and to use extreme caution if buying a pet from a breeder. Remember that it is easy to misrepresent conditions in photos. Never buy a pet if you can’t see both parents and where they were raised.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Photo: Bentley, the dog with paralyzed back legs, as a puppy

Thanks to:
Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, a group dedicated to ending puppy mills in Wisconsin for fueling the news story and bringing the situation to the public.

Terri Woodcock at Wisconsin Retired Breeders Rescue for her work, input and all the pictures used in this article.

Pet Shop Puppies.com for providing inspection reports information about the Pet Stores that Puppy Haven sells to.

Mike Fry at Animal Ark Shelter for his mathematical skills and assistance with calculations.

Comments

August 28, 2008 at 2:10 PM
posted by: ahdorable666

PUPPY MILLS R WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....... AND PET STORES SHOULD TAKE BETTA CARE OV DA PUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...... AND, SHELTERS SHOULD NOT PUT ANIMALS 2 SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM
posted by: ahdorable666

the 1st pic is soooooooooo cute!!!! :)

July 31, 2008 at 1:31 PM
posted by: alex_d

I think that its unfair to automatically deem this place a puppy mill. I got my dog from there in May 2005 and went to their facility. I went through EVERY building on the grounds looking for any signs that the dogs were abused and saw nothing like that-to the contrary there were dogs in kennels that were getting indoor and outdoor exercise, in groups with dogs of their same size. They were well-fed and clean. Nothing like what was described in your story. I also corresponded with the owner, Wallace Havens and he is very much a dog lover and not the inhumane, puppy-mill businessman that he has been made out to be.

May 9, 2007 at 11:30 AM
posted by: kellio

Thanks for your excellent work, PuppyLawsuit! You set an excellent example to others on how to take a stand against pet stores, spreading the word about where those puppies really come from--because the average person has no idea.

I'd say the chances are excellent that the chain pet store in your area gets at least some puppies from Puppy Haven. They do supply Chicago pet stores.

May 8, 2007 at 12:30 PM
posted by: PuppyLawsuit

I applaud the work that Best Friends and 1000's of other people do in the efforts to educate and shut down puppy mills.

My wife and I recently got involved in this cause also as a local puppy store chained opened up in our town less than a half mile from our house. We spoke out at our city council, posted online and also held demonstrations in front of the store. What did the store do? They sued us! We (and our attorneys) believed it was nothing more than an intimidation tactic and recent events have led us to believe that this conclusion is correct. Read about it at www.puppylawsuit.com.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out that this small chain also bought from this Mill as they revealed that most of their breeders are out of state and we know they do buy from some in Wisconsin.

May 8, 2007 at 10:53 AM
posted by: Sherry9898

I don't think it is that clear to anyone. I don't know how much of my taxes go to support my county's shelters, but I'm sure my donations are far more. I believe more money comes from donations than taxes to help the animals in shelters. So many animal lovers donate to rescue and in fact fund the rescues they have started from their own pocket.

It IS a money issue for the high volume breeders but not for the general public. I spend 300% more for eggs that are from free range chickens as I know others do since the "certified humane" label is popping up everywhere. Stores that are selling organic and humane products are gaining momentum everyday. People don't mind paying more because they LOVE animals.

Such a small fraction of our tax dollars goes to fund the shelters; it really isn't an issue to most. If I were worried about my tax dollars being wasted, I would sooner protest the war in Iraq than lack of spay neuter programs. I spend my time on the animals because they are more to me than money.

People boycott stores that sell puppies because they have compassion for the dogs suffering at the mill and those who are dumped because they were an impulse purchase.

Shutting down the mills will CUT OFF tax revenue, by taking the "cash crop" of puppies off the market. So that argument doesn't hold weight in this situation. No, I have faith in the animal lovers. I have faith in my governor Ed Rendell who cares more about the dogs than the revenue coming from the mills.

The store we protest Pets Plus has been in business for twenty years. There are nine stores in the PA/NJ area and not once has anyone ever demonstrated in front of the stores. This is a new thing and it is making a HUGE difference. The people who join me aren't worried about taxes funding the shelters, they are concerned about the dogs.

Our Amish breeders do not send unsellable puppies to the shelters. I wish they would. They kill them themselves. They have no problem killing the dogs themselves, which is why the auctions have become so popular. Many of the rescue groups go in and BUY the old breeders for just a few dollars just to save their lives. See poor Shrimp who would not be alive today if Bill Smith did not get him out. He never would have made it to a shelter. http://mainlinerescue.org/animals/335

It might be a money issue for some, but I have faith that animal lovers alone can fight this. FIRST by not EVER buying from a store that sells puppies and SECOND by writing to your legislatures, public officials, and newspapers to let them know we want compassionate people making the laws. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and when we speak out enough times, we will be heard.

May 5, 2007 at 4:48 PM
posted by: rescuerCalifornia

The only things that can really shut down these puppy mills is to get the RIGHT information to the people and create a public outrage. Shelters that won't implement life saving programs and beeders who continue to profit off the suffering and death of dogs and cats are able to do so because the public is largely being kept in the dark about what is going on. People must understand that every tax payer is paying to keep these breeders in business. Whether it's the unsellable dogs and cats breeders take to shelters that are killed at the tax payers expense or the ones that are dumped by the owners at the shelter later on that they've bought from the breeder, it is the TAX PAYERS who are picking up the tab for these breeders and in essence subsidizing this deplorable "business". Tax payers should not only never have to subsidize another person's business but tax dollars should never go towards something that is only contributing to overpopulation problem and creating more problems for communities. There are millions of purebred dogs and cats that are taking up cage space in shelters which means other dogs and cats will be killed early from a lack of space. Citizens who want to publicly protest this need to speak out as tax paying citizens first, animal lovers second, and make the point that is is NOT as much an animal issue, although pictures and accounts of the animals suffering shouldn't be swept aside, but the main point is this is an absolute rip off of the tax payers who are unknowingly helping these breeders stay in business. The breeding industry have their own lobbyists and have many politicians in their back pockets. But one thing they can't come up against is the outrage from the tax paying public who will not only say their dollars should never go to help the breeding business again but their money should go instead towards spay/neuter and foster programs which will help bring an end to the senseless killing of millions of dogs and cats in shelters each year. The public have almost become immune to seeing animal activists protesting outside fur shops and so this issue must be argued on the behalf of the tax payers. There's nothing wrong with being a tax payer who is also an animal lover but this issue will be ignored by the public if it's only seen as an animal activist protest. So to all the tax paying, animal loving citizens out there, speak up and let your voice be heard!

May 2, 2007 at 1:41 PM
posted by: Sherry9898

This Saturday I will be in front of a local pet store that sells puppies. I have been there with a determined group of people every Saturday for the past 6 months.

Do not assume everyone knows where the puppies are coming from. YOU can be the voice of those dogs stuck at the mill. Don't be afraid to EDUCATE the public at the point of sale.

Check with your local police department, gather your friends, make some signs, and get prepared with literature and information about pet store puppies and then STAND UP for the voiceless.

Every Saturday I leave with a great feeling of accomplishment. As well, I have met some wonderful people who are as outraged about puppy mills as I am.

We have a website where people can get all kinds of information and contact us with questions. nppmwatch.com We ARE making a difference and every week we get LOTS of drive by support.

Be ready with answers to the questions you will hear: "How do you KNOW those puppies are from a mill?" "What is a puppy mill?" "How can I find a good breeder?"

And at this point I feel the most important message you can send is to BOYCOTT the stores that sell puppies. Don't spend a dime in a store that profits from the misery.

April 30, 2007 at 5:01 PM
posted by: scratchtopaz

This is such an informative story! It's outrageous that this is a drop in the big bucket of dogs for profit - 30 breeds and 30 designer breeds. And a warehouse full of dogs, it's time the public took the profit out of commercial breeding, and it's stories like this one that illustrate why no one should buy from a pet store or internet.

April 30, 2007 at 5:09 AM
posted by: driftingwind

I adopted a small little Jack Russel that came from a puppy mill, it took her over a year to learn how to play and develope trust in us. She is the sweetest little dog, and the love I now see in her eyes tells me all I need to know. She lives the life of a pampered queen, how I wish I could do that for them all.

April 29, 2007 at 10:25 PM
posted by: sufidog

This is a really informative breakdown of what puppy mills and pet stores are all about. I agree that this info should be blasted all over the place! Great story- horrible topic.

April 29, 2007 at 5:12 PM
posted by: ruthy92

May I suggest that everyone who can post a LINK to this page on dog forums, boards, comment sections- especially those with people who don't understand the puppy mill situation and who buy dogs from pet stores and websites and classified ads.

Not to mention send it to journalists, editors, anyone.

This is the only way to stop this. Educate the supposed "dog lovers"

April 29, 2007 at 4:24 PM
posted by: Bboy

I'm so gald to see all the work to try to shut these puppy mills down! Terri was so kind to rescue Bentley and so many like him. I'm so lucky be be the one who was able to adopt him. But for everyone of the puppies that are saved, there are the hundreds,and thousands who are not. It will only change when people are made aware of the facts. These puppies bought in these stores come from the puppy mills. People, please , get to know the breeders. You will want to see the mother and fathers so you can learn all you can about your new addition to your family.