Pa. begins 'puppy mill' crackdown

[wannapup]

Thanks! Unfortunately, most rescue groups in our area have pretty strict requirements such as vet references and mandatory fenced yards, etc.(Really, who can blame them with all the bad stuff going on with people using dogs for fighting, etc.,) Also, since I need a non shed breed because of my and my son's allergies, and with three little kitties, we need one that won't tear them apart! ;)

On a different note, I contacted cutebichons.com , as the website states specifically that the dogs are raised in her home - cute little inside photos of puppies, etc. When she responded, she gave me the phone number of "Daniel" for the puppies.(What the??) So I googled cutebichons and "Daniel" and guess what? I come up with Daniel Esh, who has been caught in a TON of citations and violations since the 1990's! He's been in court, fined, etc, etc.,- hundreds of dogs.

So I wrote back that my impression, based on her exact words, were that these were dogs in her home, and now she's sending me to a major puppy mill owner? No thanks!

We'll continue our search!

[Mary Jane]

If I read correctly in the New Era Salisbury had a request from a Mr. King to open a "dog Kennel" in Salisbury twp. Don't they have enough torture dens??????

[lovaldgs]

Wannapup....
Good background check on your part...wow that's how these mills are getting around all the bad publicity of the puppy mills out here...They use someone as a "front" with the saying of raised in home. ha...how they lie! And internet buying is not good at all since they are fronts for the mills...especially out here in PA. Everything looks good in their pictures usually with kids holding puppies and cute puppy pictures. They know how to get the public to buy from them...emotionally.

I understand your concern on strict requirements for rescue, but a vet reference is nothing to get...who takes care of your cats and your dog you just lost? Fenced in yards they all say but that can be gotten around if you promise to keep dog leashed and under your control at all times.

I would also suggest that you contact your vet and ask them for a reference for breeders in your area of non shedding dogs and try to find the Bichon Club in the area. They would probably have good recommendations of breeders too.

And this is to Mary Jane....agree 100% with the torture dens. Enough is enough. Its up to us to educate the public not to buy over the internet or from newspaper ads of puppies raised in PA. The more the general public knows of these horrible places the more they won't sell their puppies and hopefully the new regulations will get passed in PA. But the biggest lobby group against the new regs are the local farmers and the Pennsylvania Dog Breeders Club. THAT I don't get as I would think they want all dogs treated humanely!

LOVE ALL DOGS!!!!!!!!!!

[pares]

To answer the J&L Pets question that was asked before, I bought a puppy a while back from them. They are a Mennonite couple (Landis and Arlene Weaver) working out of their home. They only do small, non shedding breeds. In all honesty, I did not see the parents, but I didn't ask. I noticed much later that my dog's vet records have the name "Jay L Weaver" on them with a different address. I am not sure why, but it could be that he raises them and Arlene and Landis sell them, as they are family. They were extremely busy while we were there, but they gave us the attention we needed. they had at least one phone call and two other customers during the time we spent there. They are right on a main road - and their home is lovely. You play with the puppies right there in a gated area in the kitchen (or laundry room maybe.) They told me I could come any time, even that very day if I wanted to, but just let them know an approximate time (just no Sundays of course.) They told me they have many repeat customers and they gave me the phone number of their vet to call and talk to. When we got there (and we were late) someone else arrived to pick up a puppy and had a purebred dog with them that they had bought there a few years ago. The dog was healthy, happy, loved the puppies and they were absolutely in love with her. ALl this made me feel very comfortable, although in retrospect, after what I have learned, I should have asked more questions including where the actual kennels were. I didnt know the questions to ask at the time. So far, my puppy is healthy, and I will say that he was well socialized with children when I got him. The first thing he did was go to my six year old and plunk down in her lap. He was less interested in me. He follows the younger children around the house, and I believe he's clearly been with young children, as shown on their website. I would say if you are still looking for a dog and persue J&L ask exactly where the parents are and if you could arrange to visit them. I'm not being skeptical, just safe. The decision as to which dog to choose was not an easy one. Mrs. Weaver asked me to describe our family, household and lifestyle and she helped us decide which breed, and then which personality of dog to choose. She seemed very knowledgable and did mention her experience with housebreaking, so I would assume she has had indoor dogs in her lifetime.
Just be very careful of ANY of the "nextdaypets" type websites and as someone else mentioned, always google the person's name along with the word "Puppy mill" and see what pulls up.

[lovaldgs]

The fact that you didn't see the parents or where these dogs are bred says one thing. They didn't raise or breed these dogs, they just sell them for the breeder. It's not to say that they were bred in a puppy mill but all the signs point to that including a different address on vet papers you got. You were one of the lucky ones that got a healthy dog and maybe where they were bred is ok, in other words, clean and inspected regularly.

For anyone buying a dog in Pennsylvania get the name of the kennel and then go to this website to check out the kennel inspection reports etc.

http://services.agriculture.state.pa.us/Kenne...

Do your homework before buying a dog and especially see the parents and where they are bred!! Call vet on paperwork you get too!!

LOVE ALL DOGS!!!!!!!!!!

pares wrote:

To answer the J&L Pets question that was asked before, I bought a puppy a while back from them. They are a Mennonite couple (Landis and Arlene Weaver) working out of their home. They only do small, non shedding breeds. In all honesty, I did not see the parents, but I didn't ask. I noticed much later that my dog's vet records have the name "Jay L Weaver" on them with a different address. I am not sure why, but it could be that he raises them and Arlene and Landis sell them, as they are family. They were extremely busy while we were there, but they gave us the attention we needed. they had at least one phone call and two other customers during the time we spent there. They are right on a main road - and their home is lovely. You play with the puppies right there in a gated area in the kitchen (or laundry room maybe.) They told me I could come any time, even that very day if I wanted to, but just let them know an approximate time (just no Sundays of course.) They told me they have many repeat customers and they gave me the phone number of their vet to call and talk to. When we got there (and we were late) someone else arrived to pick up a puppy and had a purebred dog with them that they had bought there a few years ago. The dog was healthy, happy, loved the puppies and they were absolutely in love with her. ALl this made me feel very comfortable, although in retrospect, after what I have learned, I should have asked more questions including where the actual kennels were. I didnt know the questions to ask at the time. So far, my puppy is healthy, and I will say that he was well socialized with children when I got him. The first thing he did was go to my six year old and plunk down in her lap. He was less interested in me. He follows the younger children around the house, and I believe he's clearly been with young children, as shown on their website. I would say if you are still looking for a dog and persue J&L ask exactly where the parents are and if you could arrange to visit them. I'm not being skeptical, just safe. The decision as to which dog to choose was not an easy one. Mrs. Weaver asked me to describe our family, household and lifestyle and she helped us decide which breed, and then which personality of dog to choose. She seemed very knowledgable and did mention her experience with housebreaking, so I would assume she has had indoor dogs in her lifetime.
Just be very careful of ANY of the "nextdaypets" type websites and as someone else mentioned, always google the person's name along with the word "Puppy mill" and see what pulls up.

[MKD]

RRAY wrote:

Did you end up finding anything else about Greenfield Puppies? I have also been looking at their site and am interested in a Boxer. They have Health Guarantees on their dogs and are AKC registered...does that count for something? I have been doing tons on research on this place and cant find anything bad.
<quoted text>

I bought a wonderful black lab puppy from these people. My vet checked him out, he was in great health. The facilities were clean and the puppies were not caged. He is a great dog (10 months old). He has a wonderful disposition and is a pure lab. I would recommend these people!

[lovaldgs]

Glad to hear you got a healthy puppy and happy to hear that Greenfield does not use cages. Hope you got to see the actual breeding facility before you bought him. If they did show you the area where mother/father is kept and puppies are kept that is good and they're not trying to hide anything. Maybe they are one of the "good responsible breeders" in Pennsylvania. We need more of them and less of the "mills".

Enjoy your lab, they are great dogs!!!!

Love all dogs!!!!!!!!!!

MKD wrote:

<quoted text>
I bought a wonderful black lab puppy from these people. My vet checked him out, he was in great health. The facilities were clean and the puppies were not caged. He is a great dog (10 months old). He has a wonderful disposition and is a pure lab. I would recommend these people!

[Kat]

Boxer Seeker wrote:

Has anyone dealt with Greenfield Puppies in Lancaster, PA? I would like to look at a boxer from Betty Stoltzfus but am a little unsure after hearing all of the complaints of puppy mills in the area. My family is looking for a boxer as a family pet. Thanks.

Dont get a puppy from here!!!! Big Red Flag! all puppy mills from that site!

[Kat]

Stay away from green field puppies, lancaster puppies, sunnyfarm kennels bigtime.... no vet care given to these puppies they are all puppy mill dogs.

[lovaldgs]

Thank you Kat!!!!! I wasn't sure about Greenfield but had my suspicions. They sound like a clearing house for the dogs. e.g. they raise them in horrible conditions then send them to local people as if the local people raised them. I'm sure they're getting a fee too to do that.
Another way to dupe the public!!

Public beware!!!!- of farms along Rt 23 in Morgantown, East Earl, Churchtown, and in Intercourse, PA advertising puppies. DEFINITELY puppy mills. Everytime I drive by these signs they have added another breed of dog. One farm, the one right in the center of the tourist area of Intercourse has no less than l0 breeds of dogs advertised on his sign. I have complained to the Dept of Dog Law Enforcement twice to have him checked out and so far no answer from them. Gee I wonder why? Could it be they don't want to upset these farmers and then they'd move out of PA and there goes the tourist dollar? Well you all be the judge on that.

In the meantime the poor dogs are suffering because of this attitude!!

I repeat, don't buy puppies from these farms and DON'T buy over the internet which are "fronts" for these mills!

LOVE ALL DOGS!!!!!!!!!!

[Laura]

Anyone buy a black lab puppy from Sam Stoltzfus in Gap,PA??

thanks.

[lovaldgs]

Laura,
What is the name of his kennel?

Love all dogs!

Laura wrote:

Anyone buy a black lab puppy from Sam Stoltzfus in Gap,PA??
thanks.

[Laura]

I don't know the name of the kennel. I found the name and number under Greenfield Puppies and that is why I was concerned. They only breed black labradors. Their names were Sam and Lena Stoltzfus in Gap, PA.

[lovaldgs]

Laura,

I would not buy from them!!!!! They are part of the Greenfield puppy group that are ALL puppy mills!!!!! If you want a black lab puppy start with your vet. Ask him/her for the name of a reputable breeder in your area. Also try the Labrador Retriever Club of America as they too would have good recommendations. All of us that are against Puppy Mills are at the point where we are telling people NOT to buy any puppies from any kennels in Pennsylvania. Most if not all are puppy mills and should be shut down.

You might want to go to a Labrador rescue group or petfinder.org . as they have young labs also. There are many labs waiting for homes. Just do a google search for labrador retriever rescue groups.

Good luck and hope you find your new dog!

Love all dogs!!!!!!!!

[Laura]

Thanks for the info! I will look into everything you suggested.

[elizabeth]

anyone hear of german shorthair breeder hammertown breeders thanks

[Chummer]

how about EZ Puppies in Narvon,PA? A friend of mine got a jack russell from them and it is a great dog. I was wondering if they still around or if anyone has heard about them?

[lovaldgs]

To Elizabeth and Chummer:

Hammertown breeder if they are in Narvon was inspected in Feb 2008 and dogs 6 months old were not vaccinated for Rabies and no other records on premises for vacination of other dogs in kennel. Bedding and kennels were dirty. Warning was given. Personally anyone that does not vaccinate dogs not a good breeder and for Rabies? Enough said.

EZ Puppies was inspected in April 2008 and given warning for dirty bedding, dirty water and cage floors need repair. Obviously these dogs are kept in cages on wire. Not good for any dog. This is a large kennel with an average of 286 dogs sold in previous year...sounds like a puppy mill to me and I would avoid.

LOVE ALL DOGS!!!!! And don't buy from Puppy Mills!!!!!!!!!!

[elizabeth]

where did you find the info on the inspection report on hammertown kennel in narvon. he had 8 adult dogs and one litter. very clean kennel and dogs.He said he has been in business since 1976 and only breeds pointers. gave 100 dollar deposit but am nervous when I saw he was Amish( saw Oprah )Are there any good breeders in lancaster county. Thinking about going to NJ to look for a breeder.Any suggestions?

[lovaldgs]

I found one kennel listed by Dept of Agriculture Kennel Inspection division for Narvon and it was Hammertown. But may not be the same one you've contacted.

Did you go to this kennel or are you doing this all over the internet or phone. You need to see the kennel and ask owner to show you everything especially where the pups are kept and how the parents are kept. Make sure you see at least the mother dog and if possible the father too. Are kennels clean and well kept with fresh water etc.

Ask to see health certificates, e.g. shot records and name of vet who gave them the shots. Then if all looks good, go ahead and buy the pup. But make sure you get some kind of health guarantee signed by a vet. A good breeder will also quiz you on what kind of home you're going to provide as they care about every pup they sell.

If you're still uneasy about this or did this on phone or internet then cancel the sale and call your local vet in your town and get the recommendtion from them of a good German Shorthair Pointer breeder. Do a google search for local German Shorthair Pointer clubs and they too could give you a recommendation.

And, not all Amish are puppy mill people. In fact there are some Amish that breed very good dogs because they concentrate on only one breed . The minute I see more than one breed, e.g. many different breeds and they sell l00's of puppies in a year, then I'm suspect they sell to wholesalers who sell to pet stores and just care about profit not the betterment of the particular breed they have and it might be a puppy mill. I live near the Amish in PA despite what my name says on the post so I have first hand knowledge of "bad breeders" in PA.

Good luck and hope you find the dog you want.

Love all dogs!!!