Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO Breeding Forum => Breeding Questions & Information => : KatysTank July 20, 2008, 07:05:15 PM
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I can't even imagine 1,000 dogs but this is a major victory for dogs. This is one of the largest mills in America.
Dear Companion Pet Lovers:
Some good news from WI (see news story below).
It's my understanding the owner of the puppy mill is no longer allowed to breed any more puppies or adopt any out, or "rescue" any. The Wisconsin Humane Society is now in the process of spaying/neutering/ vaccinating/ microchipping/ vet checking and treating those who need vet care, as well as temperament and personality testing of these precious dogs who never were cuddled, played with, or socialized with humans, and lived their entire lives in cages or kennels, and ate very poor/cheap puppy food. So far, WHS had been successful in adopting out 300 of these puppies, and they will continue to bring more of these puppies into their shelter each week as space opens up. They will also work with the puppies and adult dogs in getting them socialized and ready for adoption.
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Cell: 614-271-8248
Columbus Top Dogs (Shure Pets)
http://www.columbus topdogs.com/
http://www.banohiod ogauctions. com/
FRIDAY, July 18, 2008, 3:02 p.m.
By Jackie Loohauis-Bennett - mailto:jloohauis@journalse ntinel.com
Humane Society to buy, close puppy mill
The Wisconsin Humane Society is buying one of the largest dog breeding facilities in the nation, and plans to close the kennel and find new homes for the more than 1,100 dogs there, the society announced today.
The action appears to be an unprecedented step in humane societies' campaign against puppy mills.
"We have not heard of this ever being done by a local facility," said Cory Smith, program manager of animal sheltering issues for the Humane Society of the United States. "You see these places and it's heartbreaking. So when you know that people are making a living by this, this approach seems like a logical step -- to use financial means to get the animals out of there."
Puppy Haven Kennel in Markesan will close after selling its dog breeding business to the Wisconsin Humane Society for an undisclosed amount. In a statement, the society said the kennel's owner, Wallace Havens, was "willing to substantially discount the sale of the business because the dogs would be retired and placed in good homes," and that he is planning to retire.
Havens was unavailable for comment about the buyout.
Puppy Haven sold about 3,000 dogs a year, according to the statement. The dog breeds included pugs, beagles, poodles, miniature schnauzers, Shih Tzus, American Eskimos, Yorkshire terriers and mixes known as "designer breeds."
Wallace Havens was suspended and fined by the American Kennel Club in 2006 over conditions at his kennel, according to Daisy Okas, a spokeswoman for the AKC.
"AKC inspected Mr. Havens and found some dogs that were in overcrowded conditions, dogs with matted/dirty/ neglected coats and a dog that had been injured with no evidence of receiving veterinary care. Also, he had issues with missing, incomplete and incorrect records and problems identifying some dogs," Okas said in an e-mail. "We gave him the opportunity to correct these problems and request a re-inspection. He sent in his re-inspection request, but then canceled the day the inspector was driving out to conduct the inspection. Therefore, AKC suspended him. Suspension means he can't register dogs with us."
The Humane Society of the United States also received complaints against Puppy Haven and Havens, according to Kathleen Summers, deputy director of the society's Stop Puppy Mills Campaign.
"I have had complaints about him from local shelters that say he would discard his leftover breeding stock when they couldn't breed anymore," she said. "He would bring them to the shelters and it was clear they had spent their whole lives in a cage. There were hundreds of dogs in wet floors, freezing with no temperature control in the winter."
The Puppy Haven dogs will be transported to the Wisconsin Humane Society over several months and will get medical treatment before being put up for adoption.
The Wisconsin Humane Society is asking for contributions to help pay for the costs of the dogs' care and adoption.
The Wisconsin Humane Society is located at
4500 W.Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee,Wisconsin 53208
Their shelter is open to the public Tuesday-Friday from 10 am until 8pm, Saturday & Sunday: 10 am until 5pm
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Also here is a link to the kennels actually website. Look at the kennel pictures. It is soo sad:
http://www.puppyhavenkennel.com/
Here is the news video:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/25628139.html
Also, the buy out video:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/25628004.html
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Okay, I'm a bit confused.
Why would the local humane society "buy" the business when they could have just shut it down? Why pay the guy for bad behavior? They said themselves they've received complaints and some of the dogs were in poor conditions.
I'm glad the dogs are out of there but I'm just baffled by why they would spend money buying these dogs when they will still have to pay for vet care and the like. ???
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Okay, I'm a bit confused.
Why would the local humane society "buy" the business when they could have just shut it down? Why pay the guy for bad behavior? They said themselves they've received complaints and some of the dogs were in poor conditions.
I'm glad the dogs are out of there but I'm just baffled by why they would spend money buying these dogs when they will still have to pay for vet care and the like. ???
I do not think they had enough bad stuff proven to shut them down for good. This kennel had been USDA inspected, had problems found, but never had their licensed pulled. Hard to call animal abuse when the Feds say its ok just try better for next time.