Posted on 07/19/2008 4:01:29 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
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 Friday.
The action appears to be an unprecedented step in the campaign by U.S. humane societies 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, about 90 miles northwest of Milwaukee, will close after selling its dog breeding business to the Wisconsin Humane Society for an undisclosed amount that Humane Society board member Tony Enea called "pennies on the dollar." 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."
Victoria Wellens, executive director of the Wisconsin Humane Society, said at a news conference Friday that new programs will be developed to help the dogs taken from Puppy Haven become more socialized and adoptable.
"None of these dogs has had a toy or been cuddled," Wellens said.
While in operation, Puppy Haven sold about 3,000 dogs a year. The dog breeds included pugs, beagles, poodles, miniature schnauzers, Shih Tzus, American Eskimos, Yorkshire terriers and mixes known as "designer breeds."
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 reinspection. He sent in his reinspection 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 U.S. 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 on wet floors, freezing with no temperature control in the winter."
Havens, speaking from his home in Kingston, said he sold the Puppy Haven assets to the Wisconsin Humane Society because he is 72 years old and "I'm ready to retire."
"I've been dealing with the Wisconsin Humane Society for years, and they have helped our sick puppies. They are very good about finding them homes," he said. "Some folks are good with dogs and not with people, but the society is nice to people and animals. They don't run us down."
When asked about past complaints about the conditions at Puppy Haven, he said: "Our dogs have been better taken care of than in a home. They have a run and food all the time."
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. Some of the dogs will be available for adoption in a few days.
The Wisconsin Humane Society is asking for contributions to help pay for the costs of the dogs' care and adoption.
Doesn't pass the smell test to me. And it's not necessarily dog poop I'm smelling! ;)
I know you’re out of town, but I’m pinging you for when you get back. I know your dislike of the Humane Society runs quite deep. ;)
A different way to look at it would be that this is the capitalist approach to erasing suffering from the world. Instead of trying to bring the old man up on charges and seizing his breeding stock and having a big trial, etc., they came to an amicable agreement with him and bought the animals, which will now get good homes. Is there a problem with that?
Which is worse? Letting an existing dog suffer or buying it and giving it a good home?
I refer to those that think buying a dog from a puppy mill is perpetuating the existence. I guess it is but we have a wonderful dog because of it.
Wait for Girl Angler’s return. She’ll tell you stories about the Humane Society seizing personal property and animals that will make your head spin.
They’ve closed down and confiscated animals from much smaller operations. This guy was a coup for them.
By buying the puppy you perpetuated the existence and growth of “puppy mills”.
1,100 dogs ?
This dosn’t sound like just some small time breeder?
How? The dog already existed.
Which is worse? Letting an existing dog suffer or buying it and giving it a good home?
I refer to those that think buying a dog from a puppy mill is perpetuating the existence. I guess it is but we have a wonderful dog because of it.
I'm very happy that your puppy mill puppy worked out well, for you.
The one that I bought before I found out what a puppy mill was, didnt,work out so well, for me.
The pet shop got their money, and I got a problematic dog that turned out to be very sick, and because of the conditions it was bred under, had extreme separation anxiety, causing massive headaches for me.
It sounds like you don't think 'puppy mills' really exist.
Are you kidding!!! GET EDUCATED!! Do you have any idea how much misery these places breed. Dogs in cages all their lives. Extensive foot problems from walking on wire their whole lives. Females bred twice a year until they are completely used up and thrown away. End stage heartworm, mammary carcinoma. Matted, lice ridden fur!!!! And this is the tip f the iceberg. The breeder should be shot!
You’re in Wisconsin-send a donation.
http://www.petshoppuppies.org/
How? The dog already existed
The number of 4,000,000 is given as those companion animals euthanized in the US per year. You can get any dog you want from a shelter or rescue group. If people would so this the puppy mills would go out of business from lack of demand. Greedy, inhumane breeder would lose their market.
“Are you kidding!!! GET EDUCATED!! You’re in Wisconsin-send a donation.”
I’ll be polite, even though YOU are incredibly RUDE.
Every animal I own has been “pound found.” Not to mention the DOZENS of cats and dogs that have been DROPPED OFF ON MY FARM over the past 15 years because the morons in the city next to me think that every cat and dog would just LOVE a Country Life. Where’s the Humane Society? They’re well funded. It’s 2008. People have never HEARD of them? Why don’t they advertise more? Send your money to them, so people quit dumping their animals on ME!
Make your own d@mn donation.
It never CEASES to amaze me the ANGER that comes from ‘animal advocates’ here on FR.
OK. I’ll “see” your rudeness and “raise” you:
And just what do YOU do to prevent the abortion of HUMANS each and every day?
Priorities, My Dear. Priorities!
LOL! Is that code words for dog barks and poops on the floor?
Get real, it's a dog.
You want to blame someone else because you found it difficult to get your dog to adjust to your home life.
No you can't. Most people want young, purebred puppies. There's nothing morally reprehensible about breeding animals to fill the demand.
By buying the puppy, she gave them reason to stay in business and continue to abuse the females.
Oh great! A mind reader. What am I thinking now?
Check out the website and see real suffering. I owe you nothing.
Then go to a reputable breeder. Most people never check. That is the problem.
Well, when you buy a puppy from a pet store you are funding the mill that produced it. You can spin it anyway you want to and I’m sure you love your dog but have you ever thought about the dog’s parents who are still stuck in the mill producing over and over again until they are too sick or old to produce anymore?
They don’t get out. They live their entire lives like that. That is what you are funding when you purchase a pup from a pet store.
It’s easy to think about the dog you can see. And even easier to forget about the ones you can’t.
>By buying the puppy you perpetuated the existence and growth of “puppy mills”.
How? The dog already existed.
Because they made a profit. When they can’t sell dogs anymore they will move on to another way to make money. Simple economics.
No. Get real, it's a dog.
You want to blame someone else because you found it difficult to get your dog to adjust to your home life.
You speak from complete ignorance, and it shows.
If I don't tell you will you come over and beat me up?
Another use of quotation marks is for emphasis. I was emphasizing the notion that I didn't know about "puppy mills". Get it.
And, get over yourself.
Is that from every pet store? Are there only "puppy mills" and private breeders?
Because they made a profit. When they can’t sell dogs anymore they will move on to another way to make money. Simple economics.
Like I said the dog already existed. What would happen to all the puppies if no one bought them?
That’s right - many people do want young, purebred puppies, not some indeterminate mixes. You can only find out what they are via DNA test AFTER adoption, and adopter pays for that of course.
It’s rare to find purebred puppies at a shelter (other than pit bulls) and the rescues around L.A. usually make your life a living h*ll even before you get a dog, IF they decide you are worthy. They insinuate themselves into every area of your life and make the most ridiculous demands.
I adopted a plain old shelter dog, and she is no end of trouble after three months and settling in. She is three years old and turns out to be a very difficult mix that will cost me dearly on my insurance if she bites someone. Lately, she has taken to nipping at anyone in her path and is also very dog aggressive. She is German Shepherd and Chow Chow and SharPei and Tibetan Spaniel. I had the DNA test done. Everyone at first thought she was just Chow and Golden Retriever. HA! I should be so lucky to have a dog with Golden Retriever in her.
I have spent tons of money on vet bills and behavior lessons with a very good trainer and so on. I am still not sure I can keep this animal and the trainer said there’s a chance she cannot be rehabilitated and he will recommend I re-home her somewhere else.
I have heard these stories many times now — going in, I was totally naive and had no clue about how these various groups work.
Around here, by the way, the rescue group workers prowl the shelters daily looking for the best dogs, pay the small fees; then “adopt” them out for hundreds of dollars more. Interesting little business they’ve got going, isn’t it?
Incorrect. Even Wikipedia gets this right:
Emphasis (incorrect usage)
Quotes are sometimes used incorrectly for emphasis in lieu of underlining or italics...
By the way, when you said, "If I don't tell you will you come over and beat me up?" what were you talking about?
The belligerence in your posts. Your challenges to what I posted.
You have an interesting story, and I wish you the best of luck with your dog! Sounds like you got every stubborn breed mixed into one.
When we adopted our current dog, we guessed that he was an ACD/Retriever mix. Perfect for four little kids, right?
After a month he lost all the extra weight and we realized he’s most likely an ACD/Pit Bull mix. Not so perfect, after all.
The last dog we had, we bought from a pet store. We went to a ‘rescue’ place and the workers were so arrogant, so rude & condescending my husband refused to stick around and fill out any paperwork.
We drove to the pet store from there, picked out the cutest little poodle puppy ever and took him home, no fuss at all.
“The Humane Society of the United States”
In our area, the MSM always includes a quote from this wacko group even though they have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with any animal shelter (also named “Humane Society”) in our area. I wonder if it’s the same in Wisconsin.
Otherwise I think this is a good final solution for this business. It’s better than letting him sell it to someone who will keep it going.
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