The HSUS Investigates: Chicago land Pet Stores

The HSUS Investigates:
Chicago land Pet Stores
Where do pet stores in the Chicago area get the puppies they sell and what do the stores tell their customers.
about their sources? As the public becomes more aware of the breeding factories known as puppy mills, and
the often substandard and inhumane conditions for the adult breeding dog5 caged at these massive breeding
operations, pet st:ore.s
that still sell puppies are
concerned about a public
that is too well-informed
and, as the holidays
approach, are relying on
impulse buying and
consumer gullibility. A
similar HSUS investigation
in New York City just prior
to the 2011 holiday
shopping season revealed
a pattern of deception on
the part of shopkeepers
- ~-~-- --- anx~ous-t.oKeE!Powters--
from discovering that
their puppies were from
puppy mills.
HSUS investigators photographed row after row of cages at this Kansas puppy !Tlill
which sent shipments of dogs to Pocket Puppies in Olicago. - 2012/HSUS
This year's investigation demonstrates that the trend continues. Over three days (October 29-31, 2012), an
HSUS investigator and a local Chicago resident visited 12 Chicagoland pet stores to find out where the cute
li~le puppies in the windows were bred. The results of the investigation reveal a pattern similar to what we
discovered in the New York Oty investigation. Again and again, salespeople denied that their puppies came
from puppy mills, and most did not mrnply with a law passed in 2010 by the State requiring pet shops to "post
in a conspicuous place in writing on or near the coge of any dog or cat available for sale the information
requireti by subsection (a) of this section." 1 The information required indudes the price, age, health and
immunization history, and the name and address of the animal's breeder. (Our emphasis.)
HSUS researchers also reviewed hundreds of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI} documents obtained
through the Illinois open records law, which show the origin of puppies shipped to Chicago-area pet stores.
United States Departmtmt of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports for the puppy breeders were then
1
http:}Lwww .llga.gov/legislation/9Z/SB/09700SB1840.htrn_
©The Humane Sodety of the United States, Dec. 2012
Pagel
..
examined for violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, and Illinois Department of Agriculture files on the
pet stores themselves, which include complaints from the public and state inspection reports, were also
reviewed.
Chicagoland is rife with puppy sellers. HSUS researchers found 67, including brick-and-mortar pet shops, pet
groomers who .sell puppies, on-line businesses and a home and garden store that sells puppies.
General Findings
•
8 out of 12 stores visited appeared to violate the State's pet shop disclosure law; the other 4 storE!s
had information in binders but did not "post [the information] in a conspicuous place on or near the
cage of any dog or cat available for sale."
•
More than 2,000 puppies were shipped to Chicago-area pet stores during an approximate 6-month
period
•
More than 1,000 of the puppies shipped to Chicago-area pet stores came from Iowa - most through
huge puppy "brokers,n which are dealers that re-sell commercially-raised puppies and make it nearly
impossible to know who the puppy's breeder was.
•
979 puppies were shipped to Chicago-area pet.stores from Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio
•
One of the pet stores visited is also breeding puppies, with about 50-60 breeding dogs kept in the back
of the stor~ont in small, stacked wire cages. Puppy Parlor has been the subject of 19 complaints to
the Illinois State Department of Agriculture over the past two years, and was quarantined for a week
last year due to an outbreak of Parvovirus that killed at least 6 puppies.
Pet Stores Visited- Specific Findings
1. Collar and Leash Boutique -1345 N. Wells St., Chicago www.collar-and-leash.com
Breeder inform;ttion on puppies for sale was written on the back of cage cards but customers would
need to know to ask for the information, violating t.he law's demand for conspicuous placement of the
information. Two consumer complaints have been filed during the past 2 years with the Illinois
Department of Agriculture- one about dogs and cats in poor condition with no food or water; another
about a puppy with an injured leg who had not been treated by a vet (Oct 2011). St;tte inspectors
visited and said they found conditions acceptable, even though the inspector reported that the store
manager, .,Bob" originally told the inspector that the puppy with the injured leg had been seen by a
vet and then later changed his story when the inspector said he would be calling the vet to verify. The
inspector just warned Bob that in the future, injured animals needed to go to a vet. Certificates of
veterinary inspection show that the store buys puppies from J.A.K. Puppies, Inc., a huge puppy broker
in Iowa, but ioformation obtained from the backs of the price cards during HSUS's visit to the store
showed dogs originating from Wanda Kretzman I Clearwater Kennel in CUshing, MN. (video)- a
breeder with serious violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act on her USDA inspection reports for
many years. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection show that Iowa puppy broker J.A.K. PuppiE!S, Inc.,
0
Th~
Humane Socief¥ of the United States, Dec. 2012
buys many puppies from Kretzman. The most recent USDA inspection report for Kretzman showed 902
dogs and puppies at her facility and noncompliant items included dogs with swollen, inflamed or
bloody feet in need of veterinary care, beetles crawling in dogs' food and puppies shipped who had
not been seen by a veterinarian within a 10-day time period before shipping.
2
In numerous other
reports dated between January 13, 2010, and November 14, 2011, USDA inspectors noted puppies
overcrowded in shipping cages, 3 dogs with dental disease, hair los~, eye problems, soiled and matted
coats and a nursing mother dog whose uhip bones and spine were readily apparent indicating
suboptimal body condition,n temperatures of 90 degrees Fat 11:00 a.m., mold on the food in selffeeders, an accumulatic;m of feces with mold on it under the cages of 278 dogs, and strong ammonia
buildup affecting 827 dogs prompting the inspector to write " ..• and the undersigned inspector could
feel the ammonia burn the eyes and nose as well as began coughing after being in these areas for a
4
period of time.n Kretzman also shipped pUppies under 8 weeks of age, had expired vaccines 5, and
was cited for not having an adequ~e number of employees on staff to handle the 1,391 dogs and
puppies at her facility in January 2011, prompting the inspector to note, "Given the degree of
noncompliance present at this facility, this number of employees appears to be insufficient.n The
USDA also found dozens of dogs with overgrown nails and an accumulation offrozen feces hi t_he cages
of 505 dogS, noting, "The flooring of some of these enclosures were almost entirely cave red with feces
leaving little to no dean area for the dogs to walk or otherwise util_i~e the space.n 6 The USDA had to
inspect Kretzman's facility 5 times in 2011 alone and, among other problems, found a Pug an~ a Bichon
in neec:t of veterinary care for eye and skin problems. 7
Another breeder supplying this store..,.. Gary Simrnons in Amity, MO. -has serious violations of the Act
on his USDA inspection reportS, including a Boston Terrier and a Wheaton Terrier in need of veterinary
care for painful conditions. 8 Simmons had 60 breeding adults a_nd 49 puppies according to a June 18,
2012, count by a USDA inspector. Yet another puppy mill supplying this store- Clayton Yoder of
Kalona, lA. (stills)- had 138 breeding dogs according to his March 5, 2012, USDA inspection report.
Earlier reports for Yoder reflect dogs with matted hair and filthy enclosures. 9 Ray and Malinda Yutzy
of Princeton, MO -also supplying puppie:S to the store- were cited for Violations of the Animal
Welfare Act on their most recent inspection report and had 112 breeding dogs and 78 puppies at their
mill at the time. 10
No response was received from the store in reply to an email asking about its policy of buying puppies
from puppy mills.
2
USDA Inspection Report dated October i2, 2012
USDA InSpectiOn Report dated January 13, 2010
4
USDA Inspection Reports dated March 4, 2010 and August 10, 2010
5
USDA inspection Report elated September 14, 2010
6
USDA Inspection Report dated January U, 2011
7
USDA Inspection Report dated July 26, 2011
8
USDA Inspection Report dated May 16, 2012
9
USDA lnspettion Report dated May 24, 2010
10
USDA Inspection Report dated May 2S, 2012
3
© The Humane Society of the United States, Dec. 2012
Page3
Department of
Agriculture has
received 19
complaints
about~
Parlor over the
past 2 years- 5
from buyers and
others from
concerned
shoppers and
possibly from
employees of
the store as
allegations of
dead puppies in
the freezer
were made to
the ll_linois State
inspectors.
the back room of Puppy Pa~or (aka Pmuniill
photos were taken during''an O;utbreak of Par<mv•rm; which killed at least 6 puppies..
Dozens of breeding'dogs liv~ ~entire lives '""'h...,..
- 2011/IL Dept¢Asriculture
In October 2011, according to records of inspection and investigation
Agriculture, 105 dogs (60 adul~ and 45 puppies) at Puppy Parlor were
under quarantine due to
an outbreak of canine Parvovirus- a deadly disease often associated with ••n•»::amr~nnliving
conditions. At least six puppies died from the deadly virus but the store owlf1f"11\.mmt:•m
to sell
puppies until the mandated quarantine. The State's files also reflect numerous ~llnpl;ain1ts from people
who bought sick puppies suffering fr~ giardia, roundworms, malnourishment,
and
respiratory infections. Although the state inspectors have repeatedly rated
as "aa:eptable,n
the State's own documentation reflects complaints from the ptiblic about sick puppies kUI'chctseli,
malodorous and unsanitary conditions in the store, no h~ or hot water in the store; puj[)phi!S
food or water; overaawding, and puppies dying. Photos taken by state inspectors show nlllmarn••c
dogs in st_acked wire cages. Some of ttae dogs·are in cages that are only about the same IPn~uc:
bodies. In a photo (taken by a state inspector) of what appealS to be the back room area ufu:on:a~'7""'"c
®
Humane Societ;y of the United States, Dec. 2012
of breeding dogs are confined, cages are stacked three to four high and the dogs have barely enough
room to tum around.
The HSUS investigator observed puppies at Puppy .Parlor of various ages displayed in overcrowded
cages. On its website the store states: "We breed, and rehome pets, rescue, and have a relationship
with breeders that we have been associating with for over is years.• Certificates of Veterinary
Inspection reveal that Puppy Parlor buys from C01'!"ad Kennel in· Keota, Iowa whi~h has been cited for
violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act by the USDA, including dogs with matted coats and filth. 11
Conrad Kennels had 226 breeding dogs and 27 puppies on site according to its October 22, ~012, USDA
inspection report. The store also buys from Oleo Acres Kennel and J.A.K.'s Puppies, Inc., in Iowa- two
large brokerage operations that collect puppies froni miOs and re-sell them. J.A.K. buys many puppies
from Wanda Kretzman/Oearwater Kennels in Minnesota, who has egregious vio@tions of the federal
Animal Welfare Act reflected
on her USDA inspection reports (see Collar and Leash for more
information on Kr~tzman's violations).
In response to an email inquiry asking if the store buys its puppies from puppy mills, the store wrote:
"'No our pupp~s are happy and healthy come d1eck us out.• The HSUS has received multiple
complaints from consumers about disturbing conditions witnessed and sick puppies purchased at
Puppy Parlor.
3.
Pocket Puppies- 2479 N. Clark, Chicago www.pocketpuppies.com
The store 4~ not comply with the pet store di$closure law -information was not posted in a
conspicuous place but, rather, hac;l to be requested by the HSUS in~stigator. In 2012, The HSUS
received a complaint about Pocket Puppies alleging ttlat a puppy was sick and underage when
- .. -- purC:Ilasecr(ln2007)~TheTIIiiiois Departffi~nfOf AgricultUre lias receiYei:J complaints on Pocket Puppies
regarding noncompliance with the disclosure ~. unknowledgeable staff and puppies with suspected
worm infestation. The second compla,nant refe.renced a number of online puppy buyer complaints.
On its website under FAQs the store SJYS: "We work with a select group small licensed breeders
across the United Stat~. Specific breeder information is given to the customer at the time of
orientation. Our breeders have a consistent record of providing healthy and smaller than average
puppies. We screen out any breeders that don't meet Pocket Pyppies standards.• In fact, Pocket
Puppies buys from puppy mills in Missouri and Kansas, some of which have serious violations of the
federal Animal Welfare A_ct documented on their USDA inspection reports. Among these megabreeders are Hazel Coleman in Lebanon, IV!O., with 98 breeding dogs and 45 puppies, and USDA
violations including matted dogs and filth, 12 and Tim Deters in Baileyville, KS., with 175 breeding adults
and 57 puppies whose USDA violations include dogs in need of veterinary care, failure to keep proper
records and filthY Pocket Puppies also buys puppies from Debra cannon in Miami, OK, who was
captured on videotape taken by an HSUS investigator in September 2009, spraying dogs in wire cages
with a strong stream of water to get them to "shut up.n cannon cages more than 100 breeding dogs at
u USDA Inspection Report dated July 13, 2()11
12
13
USDA InspectiOn Reports dated Jan 24,2011, October 17,2011 and March 29, 2012
USDA Inspection Report dated September 10, 2012 and Mard\28, 2012
©The Humane Society of the United States, Dec. 2012 ·
PageS
her puppy mill and has USDA violations on her most recent inspection report. 14 Pocket Puppies uses
the misleading term, "adoption,.. when referring to its puppy sales and displays puppies behind glass
on red velvet floor pads.
The store did not respond to an email inquiry asking for its policy on buying puppies frorrt puppy mills.
4. Happiness is Pets -1542 Ogden, Downers Grove www .happinessispets.com
Although the store did not post breeder information in a conspicuous place "on or nea:r the cage[s]'"
the information was available in a centrally-located binder. There have been at least 6 public
complaints filed with the Illinois Department of Agriculture over the past 2 years, including those
about sick puppies who tested positive for distemper, a puppy dying of pneumonia and a shopper who
complained that the puppies looked sick and had green mucus surrounding their noses and mouths.
Another complainant said that the puppies did not have food or water and that the cages were full of
feces. State inspectors repeatedly visited and said they found cOnditions acceptable.
5. Happiness is Pets -15 W. Golf Rd., Arlington Heights
Although the store did not post breeder information in a conspicuous place "on or near the cage[s]'"
t"'e information was available in a centrally located binder. The lliinois Department of Agriculture
received one complaint regarding a puppy who appeared to be thin and was shivering and other
puppies who appe;ued lethargic. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection indicate that other Chicagoland
stores in the Happiness is Pets chain bought puppies frorrt numerous puppy mills across the Midwest,
including Jerry Simmons of SJ'Ielbina, MO., who was required to use a licensed veterinarian to crop the
ears of his puppies after the USDA discovered that Simmons was doing it himself, 15 Neal Feldkamp of
______ M!~W!I,_!I'IO. _(~lls)~_.!/ho, accordil'!l to the USDA inspector, had allowed toenails on_ ~~n :::r~l!!~~-- ___ _
to grow out to the point where t_hey were "beginning to tum outward instead of downward," and who
had a litter of Shih Tzu puppies in one enclosUre which "had coats that were soiled with a brown grimy
.
~
.
organic materials. A build up on fecal material is a disease hazard to both the adult dogs and the young
litterS of puppie,s." 16 Les Kn~ of lacOna, lA. (stills), whose USDA license was cancelled in March 2010,
owns the property in Lacona, lA, but a new USDA license was issued to a Kristi Rath at that same
address in April 2010 and shows 75 dogs on the most recent USDA i11spection report, which also
reflects deficiencies in the dogs' cages that could cause disease or injury. 17 Victor Schwartz of S.
Whitley, IN (stills) also supplies puppies to the store but no USDA license could be located for
Schwartz. Pet shop disclosure forms in both the Downers Grove and Arlington Heights locations
indicated that dogs also came from Nick Menne of time Springs, lA (stills), a USDA licensed breeder
who had 317 adult dogs and 84 puppies on his most recent USDA inspection report. 18 Mennes has
been cited fur vJolatians of the Animal Welfare Act including mats and excessively long toenails on
u USDA Inspection Report dated February 2, 2012
15
USDA Inspection Report dated August 30, 2011
u; USDA I.J:t5pection Report dated September 29, 2012
17
USDA Inspection Report dated Jan 20, 2012
11
USDA Inspection Report date AugustS. 2012
©The Humane Societ¥ of tile United~ Dec. 2012
Page6
dogs, fecal accumulation in enclosures, insufficient space for dogs and filth inside the shed housing
dogs - including a pile of waste from the enclosures. ~.9
6.
Furry Babies-152 Stratford Square Mall, Bloomingdale www.furrvbabiesinc.com
The store did not comply with the breeder disclosure law- information was not posted in a
conspicuous place but, rather, had to be requested by the HSUS investigator. In Apri_l 2012 the store
was fined $500 by the Illinois Department of Agriculture for noncompliance with the disclosure law. In
the past 2 years, the State has received 3 complaints about Furry Babies noncompliance with the
disclosure law. In 2010, The HSUS received 2 complaints alleging that puppies from the Bloomingdale
Furry Babies chain Store were sick upon purchase. Botb puppies referenced in the complaints died.
Furry Babies' website states: "We specialize in pure bred puppies and designer breeds from breeders
that are hand-picked and USDA certified.• The USDA does not certify bret!ders- it licenses them,
meaning that the breeder must meet only min.imal standards for housing and care. Certificates of
Veterinary Inspection show tbat the Furry Babies chain has purchaseq puppies from puppy mills in
Missouri and Kansas, some of which have serious violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act cited on
tbeir USDA inspection reports. Among these breeders are Kathv and William Clarke in Yates Center,
KS, whose most recent USDA inspecl:ion report reflected dogs with severe tick infestation on their ears
and faces; a dog who had lost 15% of her hair and 2 Boston Terriers in need of veterinary care. The
report also cited the Oarkes for fa_iUng to provide clean, potable wat¢r to some of the dogs.
20
The
Oarke!s November 16, 2011, USDA inspection report reflected 11 violations of the minirnal standards
of the Animal Welfare Act. (All puppies frorn breeders mentioned here were sent to the Peru, IL, Furry
Babies store.)
__ _ _
__ ·--·· ______ lnJ~S-P.9J!.~~-tQ_an_~mi!U ifiQYiiY.r~ga_r_9ingJ~~ ~t~r~) pol!cy .i!~~!.~I:J!~Jtasil}gJli:!PPi~_!fo~ Pl11?PY ______ _
mills, the store wrot.e: uour babies come from good USDA licensed breeders or private breeders. They
are all hand picked by the president of our cornpany and are examined twice by the vet to make sure
that they are all healthy for their new family. [••• ] Our babies are not puppy mill babies and are very
well taken care of:
7. Furry Babies- 2352 Fox Valley Center, Aurora www .furrvbabiesinc.com
The store did not comply with the breeder disclosure law- information was not posted in a
conspicuous place but, rather, had to be requested by t_he HSUS investigator. Puppies at Furry Babies
are displayed in cribs and are perfumed. Set! breeder info above.
8. Alsip Home and Nursery- 20601 S. LaGrange Rd., Frankfort www .a lsipn ursery.com/pets
Although the store did not post breeder information in a conspicuous place uon or near the cage[sr
the informatiOn was available in a centrally located binder. There were 2 dogs being treated for upper
respiratory infections at the time of the store visit. One of the dogs -a very young Corgi puppy- was
one of many dogs the store bought from Herltaae PUppies in Iowa, a huge puppy breeder-broker. Alsip
19
20
USDA Inspection Report dated November 16, 2010
USDA Inspection Report dated Ausust 22, 2012
©The Humane Society of the United StateS, Dec. 2012
Page7
•
staff told the HSUS investigator that they only buy puppies from breeders with small numbers of dogs,
yet, on a recent USDA inspection report for Heritage Puppjes, the federal inspt!ctOr noted 458 adult
breeding dogs and 220 puppies on the property. 21 State inspection reports reveal a 2011 complaint
about a puppy purchased who was infected with giardia and a 2012 complaint about noncompliance
with the disclosure law. The State inspector was satisfied that the information in the binder "next to
the puppy play area" was acceptable to satisfy disd()sure requirements even though the information
was not posted in a conspicuous place on M near the cages as required by law. Alsip's website states:
"Alsip Home & Nursery is very careful to only buy puppies from sources that are Hcensed by the USDA
(United States Department of Agriculture) or from local'hobby' breeders that can be easily visited. The
USDA conducts regular inspections of these Hcensed estab6shments to ensure that the facilities are
clean, healthy and not overcrowded, and that adequate healtJ"t care is provided!• UnfortUnately, USDA
inspection rep()rts often cite puppy mills for being overcrowded, filthy and lacking veterinary care but
it does not mean that such inspections result in corrections and compliance. It is quite common for
years of noncompliance to be tolerated by the USDA before it takes action against a puppy mill
Alsip did not respond to an email inquiry regarding its policy on purchasilll puppies from puppy mills.
9.
Hi.lg-A-Pup ..... 4950 W.lrving Park Rd., Chicago www.letspetpuppies.net
The store did not comply with the pet shop disclosure taw- information was not posted in a
conspicuQUs place but, rather, documents had to be requested by the HSUS investigator which the
owner at first did not seem a~ to find. When the investigator arrived at tbe store, the owner was
photographing puppjes in their cages with artificial flowers for website advertisements. State
inspection reports show one complaint received over the past 2 yeai'S daimifll unsanitary and
_____ m_~_lodqrgus_~nd_iti_on~,_St_ate iJI~RectQ~ Yi~i1!!d_ -~Jlg_~-~.id_1l:ttN_fQ_I!nd~n_gjtj_Q_ns ~~!!P.!~_bl~ (&J1jfigt!!_~
of Veterinary Inspection show that the store obtains puppies from wbat appear to be unlicensed
breedersin Indiana. as they C()uld not be founa in the USDA breeder database- among them, Earl
Beechy, Harley Yoder, Lonnie Yoder, Martin MAler (video), Merlin Bontrager (stiR photos), Steve
Petershelm, and Vernon Beechy, all ofTopeka, IN., J. Yoder of Shipshewana, IN., Lyle Borkhoider of
Nappanee, IN., Mary MIDer of Kokomo, IN., and Susan Nawalskl of W'mamac, IN.
In response to an inquiry asking for the store's policy about buying puppies from puppy mills, the
store's representative wrote: "Yorkie puppies, Sire & Dam were both OUR dogs. Shih Tzu puppies.
Breeder, family raised in there [sic) home." No mention was made of the Migin of numerous other
breeds available for sale on the store's website.
10. Top Dots Puppy Store- 6919 W. Grand Ave., Chicago www.chicagotopdogs.net
The store did not comply with the pet shop disclosure law~ information was not posted in a
conspicuous place but. rather, had to be requested by the HSUS investigator. The store owner then
only produced puppy shot records, and iefused to name the breeders and, when pressed, the owner
said that he was the breeder, then changed his answer and told the HSUS investigator that the puppies
21
USDA lnspedlan Report dated Aupl$t 9, 2012
@The Humane Sodet;y of the UnitEd States. Dec. 2012
PageS
came from Indiana. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection from tJ'Ie Illinois Department of Agriculture
show that Top Dog bUyS some of i~ puppies from Joseph Miller- a USDA-licensed breeder in lndia.na
with 78 dogs and 45 puppies reflected on his Septembt!r 4, 2012 inspection report.
In an email response to an inquiry about the origin of their puppies, Top Dog's representative wrote:
"No we do not purchase our pups from puppy mills. Many small breeds are bred by us and our
breeders alSo we work with few small licensed breeders/'
11. Puppies R Us,... 3404 N, Ashland Ave., Chicago www.puppiesrus.org
Although the store did not post breeder information in a conspicuous place "on or near the cage[sr
the information was available in a centrally located binder. State inspection records reveal a complaint
filed in 2011 regarding noncompliance with the disclosure law but the inspector considered the store
in compliance. A review of health certificates shows that the store obtains puppies from Indiana puppy
mills, including many that have serious violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act on their USDA
inspection reports. These puppy mOl operators include DeVon Troyer (Pine Creek Enterprises, Inc.) in
Middlebury, IN., whose USDA inspection reports sadly reflect dogs in need of veterinary care which the
inspector described as "a cavalier with eye discharge in both eyes, a sore between the toes of the rear
left foot and a severe ear discharge with thickened skin making evaluation of the ear canal difficult; ..,
a Shih Tzu ... found favoring t11e rear right leg. Upon exam, long nails were foUnd one of which was split
and broken into the quick at the base of the nan. This is a painful condition causing the dogs to limp. A
shih tzu ... is severely matter and needs to be clipped. The heavy mats cause disC()mtOrt and may
obscure sldn irritation issues; a dog-· was found with the right eye extremely bulged; A bUlldog ... was
found with diarrhea." 22 larry Miller (Railside Canines) jn Millersburg, IN., also supplies the store. He
... ___ ___ .b~.-~ ~gylt d_g8$Jmd 44p!Jppj~ Ql'llli~JTIQ~t r~em !JSPAJ~P.Q~~'\liCJI~!io!'ls Of1Jv,liUer'_sj~~iQ_Il __
reports include feces accumulation and bulldog puppies with •severe eye deformities" who had not
received veterinary care. 23 Marlin Bontrager in Rome Oty, IN, had 121 adult dogs and tn puppies at
his mill during the June 21, 2012, USDA inspection. Bontrager's USDA violations indude a sick, weak
puppy Who had not been provided veterinary care and overheated dogs panting in temperatures
exceeding 90 degrees. 24 Puppies R Us also bUyS from what appear to be unlicensed dealers in Indiana.
In a response to an emalled inquiry about the store's policy on purchasing puppies from puppy mills
the store wrote: "aD the puppies are from privet [sic} breeders. We give u all the info where the puppy
camefrom.n
12.
Pet Luv Center- 8057 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago http://petluvpetcenter.com
The store did not comply with the pet shop disclosure law- information was not posted in a
conspicuous place but, rather, had to be requested by the HSUS investigator. Its website states: "Pet
Luv Pet Center works only with reputable, licensed puppy breeders. This guarantees that your puppy
will be healthy and happy. We are happy to give you all of the details about where each puppy comes
22
USDA Inspection Report dated October :;, 2010
USDA Inspection Report dated January 11, 2012
24
USDA Inspection Report dated Jurie 19, 2012
23
©The Humane Societ}' of the United States, Dec. 2C12
Page9
.
•
...
from and answer any questions you may have.n In fact, a review of Certificates of Veterinary
Inspection reveal that its puppies come from huge lawa puppy brokers. One of the brokers Pet Luv
uses is Iowa puppy broker J.A.K. Puppies, Inc., which buys many puppies from Wanda Kretzman I
Oearwater Kennel in Minnesota. Recent USDA inspection reports for Kretzman documented 902 dogs
and puppJes at her facility. Noncompliant issues listed on federal inspection reports at Oearwater
Kennel included dogs with swollen, inflamed or bloody feet in need of veterinary care, beetles crawling
in dogs' food, piles of feces, and a dirty and understaffed facility. The HSUS investigator noted many
older puppies in the store- some as old as 5 months. State inspection reports reveal that in March
2012 the Bureau of Animal Welfare received a complaint from a person who had purchased a sick
puppy from Pet Luv. The complainant claimed that all of the puppies in the store were sick, covered in
feces, and had no water. An inspector contacted the buyer and learned that the sick puppy had been
returned for a refund.
The store did not respond to an email inquiry asking for its policy on buying puppies from puppy mills.
Conclusion
This investigation shows once again that pet stores are not usually truthful about the true sources of their
puppies. People who purchase a puppy from a pet store are almost always inadvertently supporting the cruel
puppy mill industry. The Humane Society of tile United States urges people who wish to add a puppy to their
family to consider adoption from a local animal shelter first. If dedding to purchase from a breeder, purchase
only from a breeder you have met in person after seeing how and where t_he breedi_ng dogs are living. For
more information on how to get a puppy, visit www.huma-nesociety.org/puppy.
C The Humane Society of the United States. Dec. 2012
PagelO
Petland_Napervill~ ~_Ad~ ~~achqwi~~
Public Testimony 7115/14
Naperville City Council Meeting
Hi my name is Adam Stachowiak and I am the owner on Petland in Naperville located at 720
South Route 59. Over the past few weeks Mike and I have reached out to many of you to talk
about our business and what we do at Petland. I also have a call in to Chief Marshall to discuss
with him his findings and help in any way I can in his investigation of the facts.
I wanted to clear up a few things that have come up in the past few weeks about current
legislation that is being considered at the state level. At the last council meeting it was
mentioned that HB4056, the bill banning the sale of puppies in pet stores, had passed the house
and was currently sitting in the senate. This is not entirely accurate.
When the bill was in the house it was an agricultural bill titled ''The Illinois Pseudorabies
Control Act." The bill passed the house in this form and was then assigned to the senate
agricultural committee. The text of the bill was gutted and the legislation to ban the sale of
puppies in pet stores was inserted in its pace.
Pet store owners of Illinois visited the senators in Springfield and explained the same things that
we are explaining to you now ... that this bill will do nothing to eliminate the existenc~ of puppy
mills. The feedback given to the sponsor, Senator Katowski, by his fellow senators was that the
bill would never pass as it was written, so the bill is currently being revised and still sits in the
senate executive committee. The bill has been amended from its original version and now
focuses on the number of violations a Commercial Breeder is allowed to have in order to sell to
a pet store in Illinois. The current amendment does not have any language in it to ban the sale of
commercially bred puppies in pet stores.
Also, at the last meeting we were asked about the number of customer claims we have at our
store. After looking at the numbers from 2014 we have written reimbursement checks to
customers for claims that amount to 1.1% of store sales. In 2013 our reimbursement checks
amount to 0.4% of store sales.
As you can see most of our customers do not have any issues when taking a dog home from our
store. We follow-up with every customer after they take home a puppy from us; here are some
of their comments just from this past month and a half.
Petland Naperville Customer Comments from 6/1/14 - 7/15/14
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Emily Boyle~ English Bulldog~ 6/28/14
o ''Everything went well and my son has fallen in love with our new puppy!"
• Deven Buchanan - Australian Cattle Dog - 6/22114
o "You guys were awesome and made sure we had everything we needed!"
• Elizabeth Escobar - Chihuahua - 7/8/14
o "The puppy is amazing!!! Everything was great, Mike was very helpful and we lU"e very
pleased with our purchase."
• Victor Fileppi- Boston terrier- 6/1/14
o "Everything witb 011_r pqppy is g()iQg gre~t. The pqppy is overjoyed and loving the
yard. The experience in the store was great and Jaime was awesome! She was very
sweet and very knowledgeable. We gave her a big bug when we left."
• Patrick Gloeckle- West Highland Terrier- 6/22/14
o "Store was great and everyone was nice and made sure we bad everything we
needed. This is a great service you guys have and I will probably be calling back
with questions since I haven't bad a dog in about 12 years."
~ Ryan Komoll- Shiba Inu --: 6/29114
o "The store was great! Michael explained everything very clearly about our new puppy."
• John and Wendy Kopanski- Cocker Spaniel- 6/21114
o "The store was great; everyone was helpful and made it a fun experience for us!"
• John Mertes- Bichon Frise- 7/8/14
o "The puppy is doing great! Mike was phenomenal! We loved the whole experience!"
• Ginny Rathell- Yorkshire Terrier- 6/2/14
o "The store is terrific and they ate a great group to work with! The people ate Why we go
there. They are very good people and I highly recommend this place!"
~ Lupe Romero- Shiba Inu- 6/4/14
o "The store experience was vety good. I went to another store and it was not as nice. I
would recommend Petland Naperville every time, Jaime was great and helpful."
• Kathy Teske- Dachchund- 6/22/14
o "Everything is perfect and the puppy is so wonderful. We were not looking for a dog, we
•
stopped in to
•
•
se~
hamsters, a,nd we saw our Pl1PPY instead and just feU in love!"
Heidi Vancil"'"'" Boxer- 6/15/14
o ''It was fantastic! We could not be happier! Everyone was so nice ru.Id Kayla took c~e
of everything we needed! Thank you!"
Chris Wonais- Puggle- 6/4/14
o "The Store experience was great. I was 100% satisfied!"
I hope you all can see that we already go over and beyond to make sure We ate getting the highest
quality puppies for our customers, and our customers are happy with our store, our puppies, and our
services. There is no justifiable need to consider additional regulation of ou,r industry and we hope you
dismiss these false accusations from animal activists. We all agree that "puppy mills;' are bad .•. that is
why we don't use them.
Orland Park dog debate to continue
THE
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14 May 2014 05:11
I Written by Tim Hadac I 9::s:21 I
The debate over puppy mills is expected to continue in Orland Park
Monday evenirg, nine days after a viilage trustee visited a commercial dog
breedirg facility in Indiana.
Our Local
Trustee DanieiT. Calandriello said Tuesday that he and "a friend
from law
schoor visited the Mi_ller famiiy facility near Goshen last Saturday at
Advertisers ...
the invitation of Ron Bemirg, founder and owner of Happiness Is Pets, 15647
S. 94111 Ave.
Berning had made the invitation to the three members of the Orland
Park Village Board's Public Safety Committee on April21, after activists
dismissed his photographs of commerdcil dog breedirg facilities with which
he does business as little more than "pretty pictures."
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··--.
The other two members of the committee, Trustees Patricia A Gira
and Kathleen M. Fenton, have not visited the facirlties.
Gira told The Regional News thi:lt she wanted to accept Berning's
invitation, but declined when she learned that she would not be able to
choose the facility and the date of the visit. She said that the most accurate
impression would be gained via an unannounced visit that would show a
facility in its natural, everyday
conditio~nd
not one where facility
management had advance notice and therefore an opportunity to "clean up"
and "hide problems."
Berning explained the situatiOn by saying that "many breeders have
been burned in the past, again and again, both by journalists who say they're
unbiased but aren't and by these so-called animal rights actMsts who pose
as journalists, lie their way into a facility, take undercover video, and then use
editing techniques to twist the truth into something entirely different.·
He added that he was attempting to convince more breeders to open
themselves up to visits and offered to take The Regional News on a visit to
the Goshen facility and several others.
Background
At issue is whether Orland Park should use its home-rule powers to
opt out of the COok County Companion Animal & Consumer Protection
Ordinance, passed earlier this month and set to take effect Oct 1.
The county ordinance is designed to strike a blow against puppy mills
by attacking the problem at the retail level.
"Puppy milr is a derisive term used by actMsts and others to
describe those large-scale commercial breeders that engage in sloppy and
even inhumane treatment of dogs and
The
~s.
new law's chief proponent, County Commissioner John Fritchey
of Chicago's North Side, has said that the ordinance will limit "the retail sale
of puppies and kittens iil Cook County pet stores to animals sourced from
shelters and other humane adoption centers." The measure also allows pet
shops to purchase dogs and cats from small-scale, hobbyist breeders.
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It was passed in the wake of a similar and stricter ordinance passed the
Chicago City Council by a vote of 49-1.
In Orland Park, the new county ordinance would drive 1-fc!ppiness Is
Pets out of business e~fter 28 years in the village, Berning has repeatedly
daimed.
Activists have mostly agreed, and some have taken to the Internet
and even the picket line in an attempt to drive Berning under.
Berning has repeatedly responded that his business is licensed,
regulated, inspected, law abiding, taxpaying and well established in Orland
Park, with hundreds of positive testimonials by satisfied dog lovers, many of
which are posted on his store's website.
A key point of the debate is whet~r a commercial dog breeding
fa~lity
can operate safely and htirilanely. Many activists say it is impossible
and have branded sUch facilities as puppy mills that shOuld be forced out of
operation. Pet shop owners, commercial dog breeders, the American Kennel
Club, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture say otherwise.
The Village Board has three options, according to Calandriello:
Do nothing and allow the new county ordinance to take effect in the village;
Opt out of the county ordinance and preserve the status quo in the village;
Opt out of the county ordinance, yet craft a village ordinance that addresses
the issue by tightening controls on pet shops that sell dogs and cats.
Calandriello's finciings
"It is important for me as a trustee to research the issue and gather
as much information as possible to make a factual decision. There are many
parts to this decision. That is why I decided to ~it the handpicked breeqer
that Ron Berning sent me to, • Calanc(riell() wrote in an email to The Regional
News on Tuesday.
The trustee said that the Miller family facility "had about a week
notice of my visit. This breeder was still Onder construction. They had about
70 breeding female dogs, seven to nine breeding l'nclle d6gs at that l()(;(!tion
when I visited. However, there were no puppies at that time, which is
somewhat interesting."
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Orland Park dog debate to contime
Berning was not at the facility last saturdi:iy, but hi$ soris, Jonathan
and Justin, were. He explained on Tuesday that the laCk of puppies is due to
the f~ct that the f~ciiity is a "brand-new kennel still under construction.·
Calandriello wrote that he spoke with one of the owners of the
facility. "He talked about what the mill will look like in the future. Some
comments from the breeder stood out to me. First he said that he isn't
making any money right
now because he doesn't have any puppies to sell.
"Additionally, the breeder used to be a hobby breeder, four or fewer
breeding females, but because he saw he coulc:l make
breeder, he built the
money beirl! ~ bigger
new b~ul'J, • the tiustE!e added.
"The biggest thing that stood out from that conversation was the
breeder kept singling out one of the male dogs,· Calandriello said. "He said
he liked to use this male a lot to breed with female breeding dogs because of
his face. To the breeder it was attractive and profitable.
"I have never heard anyone talk about a dog and his offspring like
this before. It was as if the dog's face structure meant more money to him,"
he adc:led.
OtllE!r observations it'K:Iucled the .noise level i.nside the barn, the
trustee added. "It was tremendously loud in the barn, which had 22 cages
with only Mr. and Mrs. Miller staffing the entire mill.
"Since there were no young puppies, when that mill starts breeding,
with 70 female breeding dogs, there is a potential to have 350 dogs at tt1at
mi"li, which would be about four times the dog population I observed on
Saturday. That would be way too many dogs at that location," he added.
Regarding what he plans to say
at the Public Safety Committee
meeting on Monday, Calandriello wrote, "I plan to tell the committee about
what I saw on Saturday and tell them that we need to look at all the facts
regarding puppy mills. Staff has researched this issue, we all have
researched the issue and we listen to arguments from all side.
"Most importantly, I went to the puppy mill of Happiness is Pets
choosing -- the only one that I was allowed to see, and it was under
construction. After stating my observations, I will focus the conversation on
overan policy regarding puppy mills.
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"It is important to recognize that Happiness is Pets and their current
animal suppliers are only a part of thi$ pi@e because our actJons·will affect
etll anim_al retailers.
A~
the end of the day, it this an cOmes down to what is the
best outcome for Orland Park," he concluded.
fhe Bernings respond to Calandriello
Upon ~ming of Calandriello's observations and comments, the Bernings
reacted with anger and fi'LIStration, using words like "deceitful" and daiming
t~t
what the trustee t()ld The Regional News is significantly different from
several positive comments they said he made at the visit on Saturday.
They also were displeased with Calandriello bringing along an
unannounced, uninvited guest, especially when neither the gue$1: nor
Calandriello said the man's name, according to the Bernings.
Jonathan Berning told The Regional News that he and hi$ brother,
Justin, recognized the man as Christopher Mermigas, an activist attorney
who reportedly advised Cook County Coliil'ni$s_io~r John Fritchey on crafting
the new county legislation.
Calandriello did not initially 11Clme his companion to The Regional
News, but When pressed, said on Wednesday morning through a village
spokesman that it was indeed Mermigas, ''a friend from law school who has
some knowledge on the subject" but was not with Calandriello "in any official
capaCity."
The Regional News has learned that Mermigas is a CitY of Chicago
employee working for City Clerk Susana
Mendo~.
the cha"mpion of the city's
new ordinance that bans pet shops from acquiring dogs through commercial
breeders.
In contrast to his reportedly tight-lipped demeanor Sat4rday,
Mermigas, on his Facebook page, publicly
spee~k$
with pride about his
activism and writes that he is "fighting for oompanion animals, man's best
friend, because they cannot fight for themselves. All they want to do is love
you,
now we are giving them a vPice to show we love theiTI bad<.."
Calandriello has not yet responded to a question from The Regional News on
whether he or Mermigas made audio or video recordings of part
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•
visit to the breeding faCility.
Joriath!:l_n Berning ~jd it is ,;beyoi'ld ffiJi;ttat_in~f to learn that Calandrielio
repe~ed_ly described t_he breeding faCility a~ a "rnllr and offered a detaiied
respo~e.
He said that one reason that Calandriello did not see puppies on Saturday is
that the breeding facility owner "currently whelps (births puppies) in the
house, since a dog kennel is not a very conducive environment for newborn
puppies to be. A separate, more sterile environment is the best. Most
kennels, regardless of their size, have a separate whelping area. Mr. Miller
showed Dan a separate area under construction that will be the new
whelping area upon completion.·-·
T~
reason why the Millt;!rs "don't 'have ariy puppies to sell' wolJid be
si_nce hiS kerii"IE!I is rather neW, ~ has to wa_it tor his dogs to be
sexually mature to begin breeding them, which is what responsible
breeders-like the Millers--do," Berning added.
be~use
Berning continued, saying that "the 'cages' are 16 sq/ft with a solid surface
(no wire that is commonly shown ih 'puppy mills') cots or astro turf, and dog
toys. They have direct unfettered, 2417 access to outdoor runs and a 60
square-foot outside pen, and 77 small dogs in over 23 pens is less than 4
dogs per pen. Plus, they are building a 2,500 square-foot outdoor play area,
in_to which the dogs will be turned out five times a week, weather permitting.
So it's dear that the dogs have more than ample roorn. and tralikly will get
more exercise than many people's persoli;!ll dogs."
Calandriello's surprise at hearing the breeder make positive remarks about
one dog's face is nothing more than an indication of responsible, selective
breeding, which is "something puppy mills do not do," Berning said.
He addressed the t~ee·s co~m i:lbout the Kennel being ''tremendously
loud" by saying, "It's fairly obvious that dogs bark. Seventy-seven dogs can
make a lot of noise. especially when two strangers walk into their home."
Further, the Millers do not "intend to have more than 80 adult dogs," Berning
a(jqed. "I ~gree wit_h [C~Iandriel_lo] that 350 dogs is too many to havt;! tht;!re
and Dan was never told of intentions of that. Seventy females do not produce
350 puppies amually, not even close, especially with small dogs. For
example, [Miller] recently just had a Yorkie that had a litter-:-of one."
Berning said that he and his brother "had intentions of taking [Calandriello] to
three breeders total; however, since he misrepresented the identity of his
'buddy', we decided that Mr. Miller's [facility] would be the only kennel we
would take him to. That is also why we stayed near during the
conversations."
If the Public Safety Committee takes any action Monday night, their
recommendation would be expeqed to be considered by the full Village
Board at its meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday June 2 at Village Hall,
14700 S. Ravinia Ave.
(Editor's note: Please read The Regional News' latest editorial on this
important issue,)
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OWner's soil fuces assault charge after pet shop protest in Orland Park-...
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Owner's son faces assault charge after pet shop protest in Orland
Park
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BY STEVE METSCH smetsch@SOuthtownstar.com January 30, 2012 6:44PM
Updated: March 1. 2012 9:46AM
A Lemont man whose father owns a chain of pet shops was charged with assault Sunday after he confronted a woman in a group that
was picketing near the Orland Park location, police said Monday.
Jonathan Berning, 31, of 1 Cedar Court, was charged after police saw him approach a 49-year-old Naperville woman "in a threatening
and aggressive manner." Orland Park Police Cmdr. John Keating said.
The group that was protesting claims that Happiness Is Pets, owned by Ronald Berning, also of Lemont, sells puppies that come from
"puppy mills," or kennels where dogs are bred in unhealthy condit.ions. About 10 members of the Companion Animal Protection Society
began picketing outside the Orland Park store, 15647 S. 94th Ave., at 1 p.m. Sunday. Two dogs from the chain's other locations died of
distemper in recent weeks, according to proteStor Dianne Arp.
Arp is the woman whom Jonathan Berning is accused of assaulting.
"He was waving his finger inches from her face and yelling and screaming at her;" Keating said. "He ran at her in a threatening manner."
Arp told police she feared being hit by Berning, Keating said. Berning could be reached for comment
Arp said Berning had been watching the protestors from a pickup truck She did not know at.the time that he was the owner's son.
"They were filming us with camera phones. We didn't pay them too much attention," Arp said. "The guy in the passenger seat (Berning)
went into the store. The other guy started disrupting us by blasting on his horn. Then the first guy came out and was filming us. Then, for
whatever reason. he charged up the hill at me. raised his hand and stopped inches from my face. It scared me. He was screaming, and
the look in his eyes was frightening."
He was telling her, "You'd better make sure to back up what you're saying," Arp said.
The picketers were abiding by the law and on the public way, Keating said.
"Unfortunately, this individual confronted them in that manner," he said.
Berning is due in court at the Bridgeview courthouse Feb. 15, Keating said.
Ronald Berning could not be reached for comment Monday. Last week, he said the dogs' illnesses was "an extremely isolated incident"
and said he doesn't think the outbreak originated in his stores or with the breeders that supply them.
"We could not confirm the origin of the virus, however, we believe the likely source was a potential customer's own dog," he wrote in an
email last week.
The CAPS group plans to protest outside Happiness Is Pets again at a date yet to be determined, Arp said.
Contributing: Sun-Times Media
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j
AFfbS
Companion Animal Protectio!' Society
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are Puppy Mills?
Pet shops buy their puppies from brokers. These brokers get their animals from puppy mills. A
puppy mill is a commercial breeding kennel that mass-produces dogs in usually cramped,
crude, filthy conditions for resale. The constant confinement and a lack of adequate veterinary
care and socialization often result in animals that are unhealthy and difficult to socialize.
How do Puppy Mills operate?
Puppy mills operate like a business, except instead of car parts or shampoo, the "goods"
produced are puppies to be sold to consumers. this dog business is much like any other
business in that there are three basic operating principals; the increase of goods, the decrease of
costs, and the maximization of profits. In puppy mills dogs are bred for quantity, not quality.
As direct result, breeders, brokers, and pet stores ensure maximum profits by not spending
money for proper food, housing, ot veterinary care.
Where do Puppy Mill dogs live?
To save money on the cost of housing dogs, puppy mill kennels can consist of anything from
small cages made of wood and wite mesh to tractor-trailer cabs or simple tethers attached to
trees. Because of this ~e-shift housing, mothers and puppies often suffer from year-round
expostge to temperature extremes.
Bow m_any litters can a mother dog produce?
Fetll8le dogs are constantly bred and are often destroyed when they are no longer able to
produce puppies. Because of this continuous breeding, mothers and their litters often suffer
from malnutrition, chronic stress, and exhaustion. to save on costs, the mothers rarely receive
proper, if any veterinary care.
I got a puppy from the pet store, but she's really sick, what happened?
Much like livestock, puppies are taken from their mothers at a young age and sold to brokers
who pack them into crates for transport and resale to pet stores. Both sick and healthy puppies
are packed into pickup trucks, tractor trailers, and/or airplanes. Puppies who are shipped like
commodities from mill to broker, from broker to pet store can travel hundreds of miles often
without adequate food, water, ventilation, or shelter. By the time the puppy has reached the pet
store, they have survived 1he unsanitazy conditions at pUppy mills and the grueling transport to
the pet stores, they have rarely received the kind of loving human contact that is necessary for
them to become suitable companions.
Why are so many of these pet store dogs ending up in animal shelters?
Due to inbreeding and over-breeding, unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders,
often passed on from generation to generation, are common. Pet shop customers can end up
with very high veterinary bills. Often these sick, unsociable, or maladjusted dogs are
abandoned within weeks or months of their adoption by frustrated buyers--furthering the
companion animal overpopulation crisis.
What ltappens to all of those breeds of dogs l see in the movies?
Some people impulsively obtain purebred dogs, even though they may not be ready for the
commitment that animal companions require. Movies, TV shows, and commercials have
. caused a jump in the popularity of certain breeds, yet very few potential dog caretakers take the
time to investigate the traits and needs of the breed that they are considering. Dog breeders see
this as an opportunity for a profit. When there is a surge in demand for a particular breed,
puppy mills try to meet that demand, but when Jack Rl1Ssell Lerriers don't tum out to be just
like Frasier's "Eddie" or St. Bernards don't act just like "Beethoven," rescue groups and animal
shelters become flooded with these breeds.
Doesn't the AKC (American Kennel Club) help consumers purchase good dogs?
The AKC, which opposes mandatory spay/neuter programs for purebred dogs, receives
millions of dollars from breeders who pay AKC registration fees. Buyers may be swayed by
talk of "papers" and "AKC registration," but these papers cannot ensure good temperament or
good health.
Ask yourself- do we adopt our children from commercial child-breeding facilities?
The answer and the decision is yours, but is it all that different to adopt dogs from puppy mills
or get cats from catteries rather than going through an adoption facility?
Wbat can I do to help?
Save A Life. Every year, animal shelters destroy millions of dogs - including purebreds and
puppies - and cats. PLEASE adopt a companion animal from your local shelter, humane
society, resctJe organization or veterinarian. You can also find animals to adopt at
www.petfinder.com, www.pet-ark.com and www.pets9ll.com
759 CJC Hwy, #332 • Cohasset, MA 02025 (339) 309-0272 • caps@caps-web.org • www.caps-web.org
.
P~
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·.
:.·:····· •.·. . .
·.-..;
·.
.
_-,.
..
Press. Release
Contact:
Wilfredo RodrigU.ez
CAPS Public Relations Director
Tel: 787-438-5765
E-mail: wilfredo@caps-web.org
Website: www.caps-web.org
Class Action Lawsuit Filed against Happiness is Pets
Customers take legal action with the help ofCAPS, which continl!eS
to protest HIP stores and collect consumer complaints
GH1CAGO, m. -A class action lawsuit was filed against Chicago area-based Happiness is Pets (HIP) on
Valentine's Day. 'I11.e s.n:;ty is utlfolding qUickly as more customers have come forward with complaints of sick
puppies since the first cases of distemper were reported last m<>ttth. With the help of the Companion Animal
Protection Society (CAPS), six unsatisfied customers, so far, have decided t9 seek legal action against HWs and
store owner Ron Berning's deceptive and fraudulent practices.
The puppies sold at all five of the Happmess is Pets stores come from Midwest puppy mills -commercial
breeding establiShments that mass-produce puppi~ for resale to pet shops. CAPS bas investigated some of these
substandard USDA-licensed facilities before and the majority engaged in inhumane pr@tices that violated
Animal Welfare Act (A A) regulations.
w
These puppies receive inadequate or sometimes no veterinary care, and typically live in filthy crowded cages ·
with often diity or insUfficient water. Mothers are bred at every heat Cycle. These puppies can cany a host of
health problems that ran.ge ~ genetic ailments - due to inbreeding and poor screening of parents -to more ·
severe and easily preventable viml diseases, like canine distemper.
The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, Jane Clifford, claims the puppy she purchased from the HIP store .in Mington
Heights showed signs of illness right away. Just one month after her purchase, the sick puppy required.
· eiqergency room medical care. The dog was diagnosed with kennel cough, urinary tract infection, ear infection,
breathing problems and general malaise. HIP typically buys directly from breeders (USDA" A"license) or
brokers (USDA "B"Iicense) who also breed and then transports them in their own truck to the stores. In this
inStance, mP bought directly from a facility in Iowa that just brokers puppies.
Clifford's paperwork bad the breeder's name but only the USDA license number and a post office boX address
for the broker. She was confused by this information and erroneously thought the broker bad bred her puppy.
CAPS examined her paperwork and explained the information. The October 2011 USDA inspection report for
the Iowa breeder, who had 81 adults and 47 puppies, had three pages of violations. The inspection report cited a
Pug with green crusty material around the eyes and Dog :# 163 with a mass the size of a baseball in the area of
the right mammary gland.
The puppy belonging to plaintiff Stephanie Castillo was diagnosed with microvascular dysplasia, a disease
passed on from one or both parents. According to the paperwork given to her by the HIP in Oak Lawn (now
closed), the Iowa breeder, who had 90 adult dOgs and 124 puppies at her USDA inspection in May 2011, was
the same breeder linked to at least one of the distemper cases.
Bryan Phillips - who initially took his story to the media and was featured in several local news segments bought hiS puppy at the NaperVille store and has repeatedly spent thousands of dollars in veterinary care.
Berning claimed that it was "an extrenl.ely ®lated inciden~" and in tum blamed the outbreak on "a potential
customer's own dog. Puppies get distemper
they don't haVe p8S$ive immunity from their mothers.
They are not safe from viral diseases, such as distemper until they receive the entire series of vaccinations. This
means that the breeders supplying puppies to HIP are not properly vaccinating the mother dog&. Phillip's dog
came from the same breeder in Iowa that supplied Castillo's puppy.
because
The stotes pmposely provide little information about the breeders and brokers, even to paying customers like.
Jessica Kernan -another plainti:ft in the lawsuit. HIP in Arlingto.11 Heights refused to give Jessica any additional
facts, even though she demanded more information about the breeder several times after her puppy was
diagnosed with kennel cough and loss of appetite. The Iowa breeder for Kernan's puppy had II 0 adults and 24
puppies at the USDAinSpeetioninOctober 2011. The June 2010inspectionreportfor-this breeder stated that
the feed pans bad wet rai:il soaked feed with standing water in the receptacles.
Li8sett Dzieglio and Mark Jillich purchased their puppy at the Naperville store. Within days, .the puppy started
showing pneumonia symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed with distemper. The June 20i 1 USDA ·
inspection report for their .puppy's Missouri breeder, who had 93 adul1;s and 30 puppieS; had four pages of
violations, including a ~uweiler with a swollen ear flap that was the size of a ping pong ball that that the
licensee was l1Q8W3re of and for which he had not consulted a veterinarian.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Clinton Law Firm in Chicago and seek a jmy trial. It is important that any
other person or persons in a similar situation come forward with their·SlOIY. "We seek relief for all persons who
were misled by liappiness is Pets as to the true health and breeding history of its puppies. 'ibis is the ~ce of
the lawsUit" said attorney Stephanie A. Capps. We encourag~ anyone whO has purchased a sick puppy from
Happiness is Pets to f'II'St fin out the CAPS online coniplaint form at www.caps-web.org and to then call The
Clinton Law Fin:i:t at 312-357-1515 or email attorney Stephanie Capps at sacappslaw@yahoo.com.
Founded by President Deborah Howard in 1992, the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is the only
national.nonprofit organizatiOJi dedicated ·exclusively to protecting CQII1p811ion animals :from cruelty in pet shops
and puppy mills. CAPS actively addresses the abuse and suffering of pet shop and p~ mill dogs through
investigationS; education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy
dog rescues, consumer assistance
and pet industry employee relations.
mm
759 CJC Hwy. :#332 · Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Pliorie: (339) 309-0272
caps@caps-web.org · www.caps-web.org
.
'enn '\tt study finds pet store puppies come with iu::reased risk 1Pen...
~Penn
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Current
News, ideas, ail.d conversations from the University of Pennsylvania
May 16,2013
Home » Latest News » Penn Vet study finds pet store puppies come with increased risk
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SbareThis
Penn Vet study fmds pet store puppies come with
increased risk
In the fJJ'St large-scale study of its kind. :emu researohers have found evidence that puppies purchased from pet stores
show~ increased prevalence for behavioral problems as adults.
·
The paper, published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, was a
collaboration between James Setpell and Deborah DuffY of the P-enn School of Veterinary Medicine, and a team of
researchers led by Frank McMillan, director of well-being studies at the Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. along with
Elmabrok Masaoud and Ian Dohoo of the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veteriruuy College.
A 2011 study oo-e\lthored by Setpell, Duffy, and McMillan showed greater psychological problems in adUlt dogs rescued
from colilmei'cial breeding facilities (also known as puppy mills). McMillan says he wondered what a similar examination
of pet store puppies would yield, given that most of the puppies in pet stores are obtained from puppy mills.
The researohers hypothesized that the turbulent early lives of doty; in coJJinlercial breeding facilities planted the seeds for
future undesirable behaviors. But the extent of the abnormalities in do~ souroed from Jarge-scale breeders was a surprise.
"The results are pretty dramatic," McMillian says. "The problems span so many different types of behaviors, and the
differences are rather extreme for some of the behaviors."
Not only did pet store puppies fare worse in 12 of 14 behavioral variables measured. they did not score better on any·
measme.
''I wasn't expecting the effects to be so .across-the-board bad," Serpell says.
Pet store puppies showed an increased risk of aggression toward their owners and other dogs, as well as a greater chance
of escaping. roaming, and running away. Neutered do~ fared somewhat better, but still showed a higher risk of aggressiot;l
than neutered dogs from noJKommercial breeders.
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6/2/2013 9:45PM
t'em \et study findS pet store puppies come witb ~rease4 riSk 1Pen..
.bt1p:/twww.upenn.ecm'pelliiiEWSicurrent/20 u-o5-16/latest-newSipen ..
Serpell says puppies that end up in pet stores often live a disrupted early iife and tend to be poorly socialized; he says they
are weaned and separated from their Jitters too early.
JobnDonges
James Serpell, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the Penn School of ~terinary
Medicine.
Furthermore, he says "bonehers;, collect puppies and take them to a holding center where they are mixed up with puppies
from other mills. From there, the puppies are distributed to pet stores.
Previous research suggests that another factor contributing to psychological problems found in commercially bred adult
do@$ may be the high stress their mothers experienced while pregnant. The mother's stress may play a role in improper
fetal brain development, McMillan and Serpell say.
For their study, the researchers utiliZed Penn '\kt's C-BARQ database to compare a wide array of psychological and
behavioral characteristics of 413 pet store puppies with 5,657 dogs from small-scale, private breeders.
The C-BARQ, a 15-min.ute online survey, is currently the only behavioral assessment instrument of its kind to be
extensively tested for reliability and validity on large samples of dogs of many breeds. Wrth more than 20,000 completed
responses, the database is a gold mine of information about dog behavior that is sought by researchers from all over the
world.
Until the causes of the differences detected in puppies from pet stores can be specifically identified and remedied, Serpell
and McMillan say they cannot roooiJliDend that ~s be obtained from pet stores.
Originally published on May 16, 2013
Copyright© 2013 Penn Current, Office of University of Pennsylvania
Office of University CoiinnU.nicatio~ 200 8ansom Place East,
3600 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. PA 191 ()4..61 06
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EApt.s
Companion Animal Protection Society
CHICAGO AREA RESCUES
IZI
4PAWS4U4EYER
West Chicago, n..
630-293-8772
www.adoptapet.com/adoption rescue/69457.html
A Caring Place Humane SOciety
P.O. Box 2481
Darien, n.,
630-375-7976
www.acaringplacehs.org
A.D.O.P.T.
420 Industrial Dr.
Naperville, n..
____ _ _ __ ___ _ ___63.~3_SS_-2.229__ ~ ___ __ ____ __ ___ ___
www .adoptpetshelter.org/pages/default.asp
Almost Home Foundation
P.O. Box308
Elk Grove Village, n..
630-582-3738
www.almosthomefoundation.org
American Animal Rescue
P.O. Box 3511
Oakbrook, n..
www .aarsociety.org
Andenon Animal Shelter
1000 North La Fox St,
South Elgin, n..
847-697-2880
www .andersonanimalshelter .org
Animal Heartline Humane
P.O. Box 4401
Naperville n..
630-341-3411
www .animalheartline.org
759 CJC Hwy, #332 • Cohasset. MA 02025 (339) 309-0272 • caps@caps-web.org • www.caps-web.org
Anti-Cruelty Society 157
West Grand Ave.
Chicago, n.
312-644-8338
www .anticruelty .org
As Good As Gold- Retrievers
P.O. Box 5460
Woodridg&;ll..
630-588-0115
www.asgoodasgold. org/contact.html
The Buddy Foundation
65 W. Seegers Rd
Arlington Heights, ll..
847-290-5806
www. thebuddyfoundation.sc 102.info
Cat Guardians
932 E. St. Charles Rd.
Lombard, n.
630-543•3395
www.catguardians.org
Cbicagoland Dog Rescue
P.O. Box 91927
Elk Grove Village, ll..
847-259-6458
www. chicagolanddogrescue.org/aboutus.html
City Of Aurora Animal Care
600 S. River St.
Aurora, n..
630-897-5695
www.aurora-il.org/operations/animalcontroVindex.php
Dupage County Aniolal Control
lZO N. County Farm Rd.
Wheaton, n..
630-407-Z800
www.dupageco.org/animalcontroVindex.cfm
Four Paws Foundation
P.O. Box 8260
Bartlett, ll..
630-289.,()4 78
759 CJC Hwy, #332 • Cohasset, MA 02025 (339} 309-0272 • caps@caps-web.org • www.caps-web.org
Great Lakes Lab Rescue
205 Butterfield Rd. #60 1
Elmhurst, IL 60126
708-572-4552
y_<0¥>y:....greatlakeslabrescue. org
H.E.L.P.
P.O. Box 972
St. Charles, IL
877-364-2286
www .helpinganimals.org
Hinsdale Humane Society
22 North Elin St.
Hinsdale, IL
630-323-5630
www. hinsdalehumanesociety. org
Humane Haven Shelter
333 Walnut Circle
Bolingbrook, IL
630-378-4208
www.hhas.org
Kindness, Inc.
P.O. Box 1482 Elgin. IL
847-888-2750
www .elginarea.org/kindness
Magnificent Mutts
155 N Wolf Rd.
Hillside, IL
www.magnificentmutts.org/aboutus.html
Naperville Humane Society
1620 w. Diehl Rd.
Naperville, IL
630-420-8989
www. napervillehumanesociety. org
PACT Humane Society
P.O. Box 841
Downers Grove, IL
630-375-7017
www.pacthumanesociety.org
759 CJC HWy, #332 • Cohasset, MA 02025 (339) 309-02n • caps@caps-web.org • www.caps-web.org
PAWS Chicago
1997 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicagoll..
773-244-7853
www.pawschicago.org
Precious Pets Almost Home
P.O. Box 152
Lemont n. 312-409-2516
www.petflnder.com/shelters!IL239.html
R~ch Out For Animals
Hoffman Estates, n.
847-830-4576
Rover Rescue
P.O. Box 4074
Aurora, n.
630-897-7454
www. roverrescue.org/message/message.php
Second Chance Pet Adoption
P.O. Box 91916
Elk Grove Village, ll..
630-415-2978
www .secondchancq>etadoption.org
Second Time Around Rescue
P.O. Box 68224
Schaumburg, ll..
224-392-2584
www.petfinder.com/shelters!IL388.html
St. Francis Pet Adoption
441 Catalpa Ave.
Wood Dale, ll..
www .saintfrancispetfoundation. org
The folloWing shelters accept animals other than dogs and cats. Such as reptiles, birds, pocket pets and
barnyard animals (goats, pigs chickens, etc.)
Strays Halfway House
P.O. Box 68811
Schaumburg, ll..
630-351-3150
www.strayshh.org
759 CJC Hwy, #332 • Cohasset, MA 02025 (339) 309-0272 • caps@caps-web.org • wiNw.caps-web.org
..•
West Suburban Humane Society
1901 W. Ogden Ave.
Downers Grove, IL
630-960-9600
wwvv. wshs-dg.orglwshs
Will County Humane Society
24109 West Seil Road
Shorewood, IL 60404
(815) 741-0695
www. willcountyhumane.com
FIND ANY BREED AT www.petfinder.com
759 CJC Hwy, #332 • Cohasset, MA 02025 (339) 309-0272 • caps@caps-web.org • www.caps-web.org
STOP PUPPY MILLS!
HAPPINESS IS PETS SELLS SICK AND DYING DOGS FROM PUPPY MILLS. PICTURE BELOW IS FROM
THEIR MAIN BREEDER, STEVE KRUSE, STONEHEDGE KENNELS IN IOWA.
THIS FACILITY HAS OVER 1000 DOGS THAT LIVE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES IN CAGES.
Laverne Whetstone's puppy mill:
Lavern WhetStone,
.
. _ .
Riv~r 1]5en~
..
Kennels & Outback Enterprises
. . Middlebury, IN
.
.
1n June: ·2o1owheistO'rl~\N~~-cit~Ci·toi'not.s~l<in9'v~felinaiY~r~tof'an· a~imaflllat:·Wis·irft>airl"and·
suffering. Once t()ld to seek veterinary. care by the USDAJns~brdt\e kennel had a non-prt1~sslonal
remove t_he me!llb~ane ofa d~g with cherry eyes. This. could b~ ccmsldered torture. A,s of February 2011,
the USDA has o116ngoing investiga~on Photo~cred.its: Elkhart County Zoning
THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING ON ALL HAPPINESS IS PETS LOCATIONS. PLEASE
VISIT WWW.CAPS-WEB.ORG FOR ALL THE INFORMATION ON THIS PET STORE CHAIN. IF
ANYONE HAS BEEN SOLD A SICK OR DYING DOG
FROM HERE, PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSiTE AND
.
FILL OUT A PET STORE COMPLAINT FORM. THANK YOU!
I,~
1
Examiner. com
More distemper cases confirmed in
puppies sold at Happiness is Pets
By Kathy Mordini, Chicago Pets Examiner
Dakota was purchased by
Bryan Phillips and his
girlfriend from Happiness is
Pets and has been diagnosed
with distemper.
Credits: Bryan Phillips
More canine distemper cases have been confirmed for puppies sold through several Happiness is Pets locations in
suburban Chicago. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), there have been four confirmed
cases and three other cases of puppies with distemper symptoms but no confirmed diagno~is because either the
puppy died or they are awaiting test results. The puppies were purchased at three different locations - Naperville,
Downers Grove and Arlington Heights.
The HSUS became involved after Bryan Phillips alerted the organization via email after his puppy Dakota was
diagnosed. Kathleen Summers from the organization says that Dakota is still being treated but that the other three
dogs with confirmed cases have since died. She also confirmed that a vet tech from a suburban animal hospital has
reported that six puppies with the disease have been euthanized. The HSUS has been working to get the word out
because outbreaks are not common and they want to make sure all sick puppies are tested
Highly contagious
"We received other reports of sick puppies being sok:t by Happiness is Pets stores with similar symptoms, so we
began to suspect that more puppies may be involved,· says Summers who is Director, Outreach and Research, Puppy
. ~-.Mills ~~ign_for the HSUS. "We worried that some of the sick puppies might not getting tested for distemper
because it's a some~t ~hbonmon disease.
we felt itwasmake-the inforniatiOri" public. bur
so
imPortanfto
hope is
that this will help any infected dogs receive treatment as soon as possible and also contain the spread of the
disease."
"Canine distemper is potentiaDy deadly and is highly contagious to other dogs,· says Kristen Strawbridge, the HSUS's
IIUnois State Director in a press release last week. "We need to get the word out to the pet-loving public who may be
inadvertently exposirg tJ"ieir pets to this virus by coming into contact with one of these puppies at the dog park or
handling or purchasing a puppy from the Happiness is Pets.·
other agencies involved
The HSUS has contacted the state veterinarians office and the Illinois Department of Agriculture states that they are
now investigating the situation. Summers says they hope the
Po department wiD taJ<e the measures necessary to
prevent any further spread of distemper. In the meantime, Dakota's family has separated her from the other dogs in
1of2
1/28/201210:40 PM
the house and the investigation continues into the origin ofthe outbreak.
Potential origin
"At this time, the cases appear to be tinked to several different breeders in Iowa. It is possible that they were all
transported on the same truck and the disease may have spread that way,· adds Suriil'i"'ei"S. ·we urgently want to
gather more information on any breeders who might be finked to this outbreak so we ask anyone who has purchased a
sick puppy to fill out our complaint form online. We wiD continue to look into this and share information with the proper
authorities."
"Because we've been watching and investigating the practices of Happiness is Pets for so long, we know that it's
coll'itnon practice for them to move dogs from store to store,· says Ida McCarthy who has organized protests outside
the Lornt:srd location of Happiness is Pets for the Companion Animal Protection Society. CAPS has done undercover
operations at puppy mills and has been able to shut down one of the larger puppy miJJs in the country. "Who knows
how many dogs in how many stores may be effected.·
Ronald Bering who owns several of the Happiness is Pets locations did not return phone caDs. However, in an
interview earlier this week in the NaperviOe Sun, he denied that the outbreak originated in his store or at the puppy
iritis that suppiiect the dogs. He blames potential customers who bring their dogs in for meet and greets with the
puppies.
Petstore protests
CAPS wiD be hok:fing another protest on Sunday between 1
to 3 p.m outside the store at 15647 S 94th Ave,
Orland
Park. McCarthy also encourages people who have purcllased sick dogs from Happiness is pets to go to their wetsite
and
fill out a complaint form. McCarthy first became involved after she was given a ctog purchased by a couple from
Happiness is Pets ahd she did more research on the dog after it developed some health issues.
If you have purchased a sick puppy from Happiness is Pets or any other pet store, please contact the HSUS to fiR out
a complaint form online. You may go here to fill out a complaint form for CAPS.
Do you volunteer or worlc rot a shelter or rescue that has programs you'd IIIce to promote? Do you V¥Orlc In a
pet-releated business that has an Interesting story to tell? If so, contact me at kathypetexam@qmail.com.
Enjoy this attide? ReceiVe email alerts when new arflde?S become available. Just dlclc on the subSCribe button
above. You may also follow me on Twitter, Facebook or read my bloq.
28,2012
Kathy Mordini
Chicago Pets Examiner
2of2
1128/2012 10:40 PM
THE HUMANE SOCIETY
OF THE UN11ID STATES
JANUARY 19, 2012
Puppies Infected with Distemper Linked
to Two Pet Stores in Illinois
The HSUS Warns Pl)blic About Potential Disease Outbreak Stemming from Naperville and Downers Gro~e,L9C~ions of
Happiness is Pets
The Humane Society of the United States has received confirmation of two cases of canine distemper in puppies recently
purchased from a pet store chain in the greater Chicago area. The HSUS urges consumers Who haVe recently handled or
bought puppies from the Happiness is Pets Naperville or Downers Grove stores in the past two month$ to be vigilant for any
sign of illness in their dogS. If a health concern arises, a veterinarian should be immediately consulted an(:! told about possible
exposure to the virus.
·canine distemper is potentially deadly and is highly contagioUs to other dogs, • said Kristen St~e~wbridge, The HSUS's lffinois
state director. ·we need to get the word out to the pet-lovirg public Who may be inadvertently exposing their pets to this virus
by coming in contact with one of these puppies at a dog park or handling or bUying a puppy from the Happiness is Pets
Naperville or Downers Grove stores. •
One of the puppies confirmed to have distemper was purchased in Deceri'lber and is still recovering under a veterirfclrian's care.
The second was purchased in early January and has since died. Caseworkers with The HSUS' Puppy MillS Campajgn are in the
process of reviewing additional unconfirmed reports regarding sick puppies purchased from Happiness is Pets.
The HSUS urges anyone who has recently purchased a sick puppy from a pet store, or whose dog has been exposed to such a
puppy, to inspect your dog for any signs of HitleSS. Signs of canine Distemper may include fever; lOss of appetite, eye and nasal
discharge, or respiratory distress and diarrhea. ConsumerS Who have bought sick puppies from pet stores may report the
problem to the JL state Department of ,4griculture as well as to The HSUS here.
Background:
• Unfortunately, if the outbreak is 6nked to puppy mill sources, it would not be the first Distemper outbreak of its kind. Poor
veterinary care standards at puppy mills that sell to pet stores may be to blame.
• For example, in December 2010, the Associated Press reported that approximately 1,200 dogs at a puppy rhill in Kansas were
euthanized by state authorities after puppies who had been shipped from the facility to pet stores in Wyoming t~ted pOSitive
for Distemper. The owner of that facility, Jeff Fortin, had a history of documented Animal Welfare Act violations for unsanitary
conditions and inadequate veterinary care.
• The HSUS recommends never purchasing a puppy from a pet store because many of them come {rom puppy mills, where
sanitation problerrs and disease outbreaks are common.
·
• The HSUS urges people who want to get a puppy to consider adoptirg from a shelter or rescue group first. If deciding to buy
from a breeder, potential buyers should always visit the breeder In person to see that the dogs are treated humanely and
ensure the puppies and their parents are living in spacious, clean areas. For more information, see humanesocietv.orgtpuppv
Media Contact Jordan Crump, 301-548-n93, jcrump@humanesocietv.org
1of2
1/28/2012 1:40PM
•~~~~---~vvvvvvv_V_VV~TVVVV¥VVVV~VVVVV~
HAPPINESS IS PETS
CLASS ACTION LAWSUUT
If you or anyone you know purchased a
puppy from Happiness Is Pets and have
vet bills from treating your sick or dying
dog's conditlon(s)
JOIN THE LAWSUIT
HERE'S HOW
• Go to the Companion Animal
Protection Society's (CAPS) website
www.caps-web.org
• Click on the "Investigations" tab
• Click on "CAPS Complaint Form,"
complete and submit
• Once the form has been submitted,
call The Clinton Law Firm at
312-357-1515 or email our attorney
Stephanie Capps at
sacappslaw@)yahoo.com
• Complete the form regardless of
whether the dog is alive or has been
cured of Its Illnesses
Questions? We're here to help:
Ida McCarthy 63()..479-4673
Kristen Kaminski 815-690-4996
Dianne Arp 630.334-0426
-~~~~vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
HAPPINESS IS PETS
A BREED APART
July 15, 2014
Naperville City Council Public Testimony
Re: Proposed puppy sales ban
Good evening,
My name is Jonathiln aerning; my address is 1592 W. Ogden Ave in NaperVille. My family has owned and operated
Happiness Is Pets since 1987 and we have been in operation in Naperville since 2003. I would like to take a few
mornents this evening to discuss the health protocol we currently have for our puppies:
•
We rE!ceive our puppies from breeders at 8 weeks of age. Prior to the puppies entering our store, they are
seen by the breeder's veterinaricm for a physical examination to ensure they are in good health.
•
Once the puppies arrive in our store they are seen by one of the veterinarians we work with. Once again,
they are given another physical examination to ensure they are healthy and fit for sale.
•
Once a puppy is sold, the customer has 7 days to bring their new puppy to any of the 8 veterinarian offices
we work for a free examination.
Ultimately, a puppy is seen 3 different times by 3 different veterinarians by the time they are about 10 weeks old.
Unfortunately, dogs, just like humans can become ill. In the rare event a puppy becomes ill while in our store, the
puppy will not be available for sale until he is recovered from his ailment. If the puppy has a minor ailment, like
kennel cough, we will treat the puppy in the store with oral medication, following protocol prescribed by one of our
veterinarians. If the puppy does not show improvement after a few days, we will bring him to the veterinariiln anc:J
have him treated there until he makes a full recovery. It is only after he is completely recovered that he will be
made available for sale again. Also, any and all medication and/or
hospitalize~tion
that was administered is disclosed
in writing on the puppy's Pet Record prior to the time of sale as well.
In the less than 2% chance that a puppy we have sold is diagnosed with a life threatening congenital defect within 2
years of the puppy's date of birth, we try and give the customer as many options as possible to help suite their
needs. The majority of the time the customer elects for our assistance in covering the cost of corrective surgery,
most of the time resulting in no out-of-pocket expense to the customer. Since many of our breeders have their dogs
genetically tested for the most common congenital defects appropriate for their breed, we are seeing less
congenital issues than ever before. However, unfortunately, issues can still arise and all you can do is stand behind
.. ..
;
the health of your puppies in the event something does happen. I think, rather, I know, pet stores do that better
than any other source of puppies in the state.
Jonathan Berning
(630) 947-3854
jonathan.berning@gmail.com
'
Enos J\71nler 32-A-0477
I
LaGrange Veterinary Clinic
Rodn'!J L Bauermeister, D. VM.
Robin P. Bollinger, D. V M.
1005 North Detroit Street
LAGrange, IN. 46761
Hilary C Reinhold,D. VM.
Phone # (260) 463-2157
Fax# (260) 463-2165
To ¥{hom it may concern:
I have worked with Enos and Lucy Millet for the last 3 years. During this time they have
worked to build a strong breeding program. They are selecting for high quality puppies by ilsing
OFA certified and AKC registered breeding animals.
Enos and Lucy are building a very nice kennel that allows the dogs to be both inside and
outside on solid surface at all times. Environinental enrichment is provided in the fotrns of a
variety of toys and time in a large play yard with a variety of different obstacles to play on and
atoUnd. A puppy socialization program is used to ensure that puppies are healthy and ready for
the new environment when going to their new home.
As the attending veterinarian, I art1 at the Miller's kennel 2-3 times per year and see any
animal in the clinic if there are health concerns between visits, A vaccination and deworming
protocol has been set up for their kennel to help insure the health of the puppies as well as the
adults. Dental cleanings are done on the breeding_patents a.S needed to maintain good oral
health. All of these things allow the Miller's to ensl.lre they are providing quality puppies and
have healthy breeding parents.
Sincerely,
,1
'<b
t2 e
~ - ' OvYl)
Hilary Reinhold D.V.M.
Devon Troyer 32-A-0367
LaGrange Veterinary Clinic
Robin P. BoUingtr, D. V.M
1005 Nort.h Detroit Street
LiGran.!f, IN. 46761
Roi:Jney L Baitermtitier. D. V.M.
Hilary C Rimhold,D. V .M.
PhtJm # (260) 46)-2157
Fax# (260) 461-2165
To whom it may concern:
I have worked with Pine Creek kennels for the last 6 years. They are very dedlcated to
the health ai)d well being of their dogs as weil and raising quality puPPies. Over the last 6 years
we have worked together to im:ptove llll ~peds of their professional breeding program.
These improvements include having veterinary behaviorist Dr Roland tripp working oil a
socialization and enrichment program for puppies as well as adult dogs; designing and builc:ting a
brand new building tlult allows ~11 the dogs even more available space; the choice to be either
inside or outside and on solid surfaCe flooring at all times; and access to a variety of both toys
and surfaces to rest on. Play yards are also being de_si~ 1g1d built to allow even more
environmental enrichment for the dogs.
P:todueing only the most high quality puppies has also been an import.ailt part of Pine
Creek kennels. All ofthe parents have OFA certified hearts and patellas. Breeding animals ate
selected from the highest quality parents with everything including personality taken into careful
accc;>unt:.
As their yeterinarian, I am ~t the kennel once a month to address any health oon~. If
there is a health concern that cannot wait for the monthly kennel visit patients also come iilto the
clinic for c~. Several times a year we also provide dental care for anjmals in need of dental
cleaning or tooth extraction. This goes along with a very complete schedule of vaccinating and
deworming to ensure the good health of all of the dogs.
Sincerely,
~-
.-.
,_')
Hilary Rt;jnhold, D.V.M .
.
--
-
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plan1 Health Inspection SeMce
Inspection Report
PINE CReEK ENTERPRI86S INC
Customer 10: 324955
Certfficate: 3J.A-G367
Site: 001
PINE ()RE!fl<
14885C R 20
ENTa;RPR~SBS INC
TWJe: ROUTINE •NSPECTJON
Date: 21 April2014
MIDDlEBURY, JN 46540
No f'Ofl~mp'liant items idenlilied during tllis inspection.
Exit interview conducted wi1h facility representatiYe.
tr:rF:J L!HH.
~6~
r: I
Prepared By:
-----
-------------------
-------
LORI E LINN. A C I
'ntre:
- -
USOA, APHIS, Animal Care
O.te'!
lnsJ)I~ctor
21 April2014
1080
Received By:
Date:
tftre:
---
-
21 April2014
~
lh:::}• ~ o:rl•:•!l
F' ~ }• 0:01 ~
E:·:t·l ~;J:l-; rl •:O!l hrrt·
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U.s d-. ·?•:O~ii -·J:llln -.}=oli ~li -.J: ~ i olo)olQU•:O -,d..:; ilJ:' =E:·::i:·l-;J:l-· tlo:o!l }• d.!
L~Vern
Whetstone 32-A-0370
NCJRTHSIDE VETERINARY CLINIC
Or. Steven T Knight
Detroit
800 N.
LaGrange; IN
~6761
26(1/lt63--'7(105
WhestorH~
Kt.mm:~l
s~
owned my Lc3vern Whr:?tst.one
1s a high quality
k~nnel.
The ::'i0·-75 .:mi.mals an::> h(.;ust<?r.J
constructed facility
irt a n.1c:r.:!nt.ly
is well lit *"d
venti.l<lted. Thet~e are adequate inside c~ges
with individual acc@9$ to.outside runs.
The autcmat~c watering systen and heatod floors
m~ke for ex~ell•Mt breeding conditions.
Mr. Whetstone
i~
A
th~t
cons~ient1ou5
br·~eder.
His
in exce ll~::.ar'• t. c:oncl it: ;i. ''".
Hr::! is
diJ.:lgent with on::~vfc:linq vac::c:in,"iti.~ns and needed
<'In 1 ma ls
111-~ .
vete•- in;;\l"Y
Thi~
kenh~l
in over 45
e.~n'.i!
..
h~~
y~ars
to
b~
111
Dr. Steven T. Kniqht
the best I
pva~ti~e.
/
j::: ·,,: ·J ul
)
100/100~
I
hav~
be~n
in,
...
~
-
~,USDA
United S'lates Department of Agriculture
Anirtlal and Plant Health lnspaclion Service
Inspection Report
tAYEJir.i JAY WHETSTONe
Customer I0: 325019
Certificate: 32-A-8370
Site: 001
lAYF.JIN JAY WHETST~
LA GRANGE ENTERPRISES
2995E 150N
Type: ROlJTfNE INSPECTION
Date: 25 June 2013
LAGRANGE, IN 46761
No non-compliant ijtems identified during this inspecti011.
Exit intennew conducted with facility representative.
Prepared By:
LORI E LINN, A C l
Titre:
USDA. APHIS, Artimal Ca:re
Date:
lnsl)lactor 1080
25June 2013
Received By:
Date:
25June 2013
;,
.
' '':
Alvin Brerinen1an 32-A-0402
-
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Heal1h Inspection SeMca
USDA
~
Inspection Report
Customer I0; 327345
Certfflicate; 32--A-G402
Site; 001
AI. VIN IIIAENNEMAN
3404CR65
IBUTl~R.
T}fPe; ROUTINE INSPECTION
Date: t8 September 2013
IN 46721
No non-comptiam items idenlified during ttlis inspectiorl.
Inspection and exit interview oonduct.ed wilh facilit)' represerJtativ.e.
Regulated activity may be conducted from this location.
L1=1F:J LIHH,
.!J.
1:: - I
- - -------
11tre:
USDA, APHIS. Ammai Care
Date:
II'ISPI~or 1080
18 September 2013
Received By:
Date:
ntre:
18 September 2013
---------~----
------
-~
liG]::• ~ dloll F' ~ p •:•l r E::·:t•blP tl•:<ll hH]::, / /''"'"''- -,]::,}ll.:.; Us d -, ·~·:• 1 ?/ ··Jlll1nl_,,; ~Ji -,1 ~ / d_,:.lt'lUo -,J.s /lF'~E::·::t:·hll <tl•:•ll ]:,:if
-----
------~~-~----
---
David Miller 32-A-0432
-
United States O~rtment of Agriculture
USDA
Animal and Plan! Heallh Inspection Service
Inspection Report
3&16
Certificate; 3Z..A-G432
Customer 10:
Site: 001
DAVIO AND STeVEN MUfA
DNSKENNEl
592SW600S
Type: ROLITINE INSPECTION
Date: 29 July 2013
TOPEKA, IN 46571
3.6
{a)(2)(ii)
PFIJMAAY ENCLOSURES.
(2) Primary enclosures must be oonstruelled and mmained so that they:
(ii) Protect the dogs and cats ftom injury;
One pen in the whelping building hu a carpet section for the il'l$ide portion of the pen. The carpet has been
Shredded and has an area where many long threads are laying across lhe pen. The loose threads can easily
tangle and inju:re lhe dog and puppies. The threads also are a danger shoUld lttey be ingested.
CaJpet used in a primary enclosure should be maintained free of loose 'ltlreads, so ttlat it does not pose any risk
of injury to the animalS.
COrrect by dose of business July 29, 2013.
Inspection and exit interview conducted wilh tacili'y repteserdalilte.
Prepared By:
LORI E LINN, A C -, -lUte:
USDA. APH 1s; Anlmai Care
Date!
lns,~em•or 1080
29 July 2013
Date:
29 July 2013
Title:
lJ:G}• ~ o:tlo:•ll
--
P ~P o:olt 1:::·±·1-<Jl-<tlO:•fl htt}o / /\1;"i1cW
-
<]:•h,l~ l~
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------~------
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- -
- - ----
It was the fourth store in Los Angeles to
concede to investigations and protests by CAPS
over a period of eight months. Other stores no
longer selling puppy mill dogs include Elaine's Pet
Depot, Elite Animals and Pets of Wilshire.
Elaine's Pet Depot, part of a chain in the U.S. and
Canada, offers rescue animals for adoption. On
the basis of our efforts against Elaine's, the entire
Pet Depot chain no longer sells dogs or cats.
Protests
CAPS sponsors protests inside a large shopping
mall against the largest pet store chain in the Los
Angeles area. The ftrst protest was a landmark
demonstration for the California animal protection
movement because pet shops that sell puppy mill
dogs inside shopping malls generally had been
im:m~e to the increasing public outcry over the
puppy mill issue. The California Constitution,
which is more expansive than the federal version,
protects our rights to protest inside a mall - a de
facto public forum under California case law.
Further, California case law protects the rights of
protesters to call for a boycott of a specific
business within a shopping center or mall.
How You Can Help
Join CAPS
Write your senators or representatives and ask
them to address the USDA's failure to enforce the
Animal Welfare Act (AWA): www.house.gov;
www .senate.gov
CAPS is a national nonprofit 50l(c)(3)
organization. Founded in 1992, CAPS is funded by
member donations and foundation grants. There
are on.ly a few foundations that provide grants for
animal protection work, and funds are very
limited.
If one of your Congressional representatives is
on agriculture committees or the House Committee
on Government Reform, ask him or her to call for
oversight hearings on APHIS/Animal Care's
failure to enforce the AWA:
www .agriculture.senate.gov
www.agriculture.house.gov
www .reform.house.gov
Distribute this brochure and our pet shop fact
sheet ("Why You Shouldn't Buy That Puppy in the
Window"), both available at our website or from
CAPS.
Contact us about how to get an ordinance
passed in your town that bans the sale of pet shop
puppies and kittens.
Ask local and national media to do stories on
pet shops and' commercial dog breeding and
brokering facilities,
If you currently work for a pet shop or puppy
mill and would like to provide information about
conditions, contact CAPS. All information is
confidential.
Adopt a companion animal. Every year, animal
shelters destroy millions of dogs - including
purebreds and puppies - and cats. PLEASE adopt
a companion animal from your local shelter,
humane society, rescue organization (some
specialize in a particular breed) or veterinarian. In ·
addition, many pet supply stores, such as
PetSmart® and PETCO, sponsor adoption days.
CAPS led landmark protests inside the Westside
Pavilion Mall in Los Angeles where a targeted
pet shop is located.
You can also ftnd animals to adopt at
these websites:
www .petfinder.com; www .pet-ark.com
www .pets91l.com; www .adoptapet.com
You can sign-up and donate on-line at
www .caps-web.org. You can also call or write us
for membership information. Basic membership is
$20 a year, although we gladly welcome taxdeductible donations of any amount. You can sign
up for The CAPS Communicator, our online
newsletter, at www.caps-web.org.
CAPS needs your support
to continue its extremely
important work. Please help
ensure that CAPS is there
for companion animals particularly those dogs
suffering in pet shops and
puppy mills - by giving as
generous a donation as
possible. Your help is vital.
© Companion· Animal
Protection Society.
All rights reserved.
~lp
ee..,onien i\nimal
€•m••nien i\nimal Aekclien SedefJ<'
Founded by President Deborah Howard
in 1992, the Companion Animal Protection
Society (CAPS) is the only national
nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively
to protecting companion animals from
cruelty in pet shops and puppy mills.
CAPS actively addresses the abuse and
suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs
through investigations, education,
media relations, legislative involvement,
puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance
and pet industry employee relations.
CAPS defines a puppy mill as a
"commercial breeding facility that
mass-produces puppies for resale through
pet shops, the Internet or individuals."
/.,
~
'
(ilP~
'
'ffiliJ!II
J!Ch,t,u-
759 CJC Hwy. #332
Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Phone: (339) 309"0272
Email: caps@caps~web.org
Web site: www.caps-web.org
Se<i<f;,<'
Two-tier cages with soiled trays at a
USDA-licensed facility in Iowa
USDA's Failure to Enforce
the Animal Welfare Act
The Companion Animal Protection Society is
celebrating a major victory - one we have been
working toward for many years!
USDA-licensed facility in Iowa. The dogs on the left
are crammed into a pen. An Akita and English
Springer Spaniel are pushing through rusty metal
fencing with sharp points.
How CAPS Began
In 1989, CAPS president Deborah Howard was
stunned by the cramped, unsanitary conditions at a
Docktor Pet Center. She joined forces with Robert
Baker, then the foremost puppy mill investigator in
the country. They generated two "20/20" exposes
and articles in People and LIFE magazines
showing the horrors of pet shops and puppy mills.
As a result of their efforts, Docktor Pet Centers,
who refused to do business without the sale of
puppies, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
in February 1993. CAPS became a 50l(c)(3)
in 1992.
Since 1995, CAPS has visited approximately
1,000 puppy mills, most of them USDA licensed.
Our investigations revealed that the USDA has
been extremely negligent in its enforcement of
Animal Welfare Act (A WA) regulations. These
regulations apply to commercial dog and cat
breeders and brokers who sell to the pet shop
industry.
In late May, 20 l 0, the Office of Inspector
General (OIG) for USDA released a scathing
69-page report of an audit and investigation
conducted between 2006 and 2008. This audit and
investigation was prompted by a meeting that
CAPS and Crowell & Moring attorneys had with
OIG officials in May 2006,. The complete OIG
report is available on our website at www.capsweb.org.
We hope, in large part owing to our efforts, that
USDA's APHIS/Animal Care program will
implement significant changes with respect to
enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.
CAPS will continue to share its investigation
findings with USDA.
Consumer Education through Media
To raise awareness about the pet shop and
puppy mill industry, CAPS has generated stories
with the following media: CNN, 'Dateline,'
'20/20,' 'Hard Copy,' Reader's Digest, LIFE,
People, The Philadelphia Inquirer (two front page
articles), CBS Chicago (Kathy Bauck investigation
and criminal case), ABC Boston (Bauck), FOX
News (Chicago and Boston) and numerous local
television news stations and newspapers.
Overcrowding, worn wood and rusty wire at a USDA. licensed facility in Minnesota.
CAPS Investigations: CAPS vs. Bauck
How a Small Nonprofit Brought Down
a Large Puppy Mill
In 1997, CAPS began investigating Kathy
Bauck, the owner and operator of "Pick of the
Litter" in Minnesota. Bauck, one of the largest
USDA-licensed dog brokers and breeders in the
country, sold thousands of dogs to pet shops and
Internet buyers across the country.
A CAPS undercover employment opportunity
of six weeks revealed Bauck's facility held 900
adult dogs and approximately 400 puppies. The
undercover video shot by the CAPS investigator
showed dogs sick, wounded and emaciated.
Following Bauck's appeal, APHIS's response
to her appeal, the Judicial Officer's Order and
Decision in December 2009 terminating Bauck's
license and a subsequent termination stay based on
Bauck's federal appeal, the USDA officially
terminated Bauck's license in August 2010.
While it is unfortunate that Bauck was allowed
to keep her license during this year-long legal
process, CAPS is proud its determined efforts were
key in assuring Bauck will no longer be able to sell
to pet shops and other dog breeders and brokers.
Watch "CAPS vs. Bauck, How a Small
Nonprofit Brought Down a Large Puppy Mill"
on Vimeo, YouTube, CNN iReport and the
CAPS website.
Pet Shop Campaigns
Dead mother Cocker Spaniel in whelping box
at the Bauck facility in Minnesota
Based on the evidence collected by the CAPS
investigator, a jury convicted Bauck on March 24,
2009 of four misdemeanor counts of animal
cruelty and torture. However, the judge sentenced
her on only one of the counts; she received a 90day sentence, reduced to 20 days; a $500 fine,
reduced from $1 ,000; 80 hours of community
service and one year of probation.
On August 13,2009, the USDA/APHIS filed a
Motion for Summary Judgment requesting the
termination ofBauck's license. CAPS believes this
judgment was due in large part to our
organization's petition for rulemaking mandating
automatic termination of license upon an animal
cruelty conviction .
West Hollywood Ordinance
Following a CAPS undercover investigation of
West Hollywood pet shops and a protest of nearly
six months targeting Elite Animals, the West
Hollywood City Council passed an ordinance
prohibiting the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops,
with an exemption for the adoption of shelter and
rescue animals.
The media covering CAPS and the West
Hollywood ordinance included The New York
Times; Los Angeles Times; ABC, NBC and CBS
affiliates in Los Angeles; and About.com. In fact,
media throughout the U.S. and the world (even
New Zealand) covered this compelling story. Our
work has inspired other towns and states to
consider similar .Jegislation.
Humane Stores
Aquarium & Pet Center in Santa Monica,
California, signed a legal agreement to convert to a
humane business model. In late October, this pet
store, in business for more than 20 years, decided
to stop selling puppies from mills. Aquarium & Pet
Center now works with rescue organizations to
promote adoptable animals from the Los Angeles
municipal shelter system.