Pa. begins 'puppy mill' crackdown

[Dawn]

I purchased 2 dogs from Gails Pups & Stuff.
1 - a yorkie, she had kennel kough for the first 4 months that we got her.
1 - a yorkie poo - that now has signs of patella luxation, that did not show up on our regular visits. the warranty from Gails is for 6 months from date of purchase, we just kit 8 months when the problem was diagnosed, I purchased the puppy who is now 10 months old for $599.00 and the surgery to fix the "genetic problem) is going to cost me anywhere from $1500 to $2400.
Any idea if there are any holes in the contract?

[Mature Woman]

Puppy mills are disgusting. Go to the SPCA and adopt a dog that needs a home. As long as people continue to buy from these mills, obviously, they'll remain in business.

I wish the government would sentence these freaks to the same conditions they put these dogs in - put in a wire cage for years and years. That might sound foolish, but it totally disgusts me.

[Kathy]

Did anyone every purchase a puppy from Gails Pups & Stuff in NJ? I looking to purchase one.

[lovaldgs]

Doesn't NJ have a puppy lemon law? Contact the Better Business for information to see if contract was legit. Did you call Gails with your problem? Did she breed them or does she just sell them from breeders. If she didn't breed them then she should contact breeder with the problems you had. Any good breeder would want to know some problems with their puppies. If not? Then they're NOT a reputable breeder!!

For selling a sick dog....e.g. kennel cough, did you get a health certificate when you bought her? Did you take her to your own vet right away within three days of purchase? If you did you would have written proof that this Gails sells sick dogs. Then you could file a complaint with local ASPCA. Have them investigate her facility. For the patella luxation that is a genetic problem and I don't think you would have much to stand on to get breeder to pay for that. Many dogs have genetic problems that don't surface right away, e.g. hip dysplasia.

Hope everything works out for you....good luck!

Dawn wrote:

I purchased 2 dogs from Gails Pups & Stuff.
1 - a yorkie, she had kennel kough for the first 4 months that we got her.
1 - a yorkie poo - that now has signs of patella luxation, that did not show up on our regular visits. the warranty from Gails is for 6 months from date of purchase, we just kit 8 months when the problem was diagnosed, I purchased the puppy who is now 10 months old for $599.00 and the surgery to fix the "genetic problem) is going to cost me anywhere from $1500 to $2400.
Any idea if there are any holes in the contract?

[Boston Lover]

Kathy wrote:

Did anyone every purchase a puppy from Gails Pups & Stuff in NJ? I looking to purchase one.

I would not purchase from them. We bought our dog their last June and he now has mange, which is genetic. They are buying dogs from breeders who should not be breeding. We have notified them of this problem we are having and asked for some help and info about the parents and have not received any responses.

[lovaldgs]

For those of you that do not know what a puppy mill is and where you should get your next dog, please watch OPRAH this Friday, April 4th. Bill Smith of Main Line Rescue of Pennsylvania is going to be on the show which is about puppy mills. He went under cover with Lisa Ling to rescue some of these dogs.

This rescue organization has done a wonderful job of going undercover and rescuing puppy mill dogs and is the organization that has put up billboards in PA regarding the horror of these mills. The latest billboard was put up in Chicago asking Oprah to do a show on puppy mills and she did. Please everyone watch it and support the effort to stop these mills.

[Amanda]

Has anyone dealt with Rippling Spring Puppies in Stevens, PA? I would like to look at a boxer from from one of Rosie's litter's but am a little unsure after hearing all of the complaints of puppy mills. I also saw Greenfield puppies listed but from reading above being they are in Lancaster I was extremely hesitant along with all the other breeds they had listed. My husband & I are looking for a boxer as a family pet. Thanks.

[lovaldgs]

Just surfed their website and I would be very wary of getting a dog from them. They are joined with a bunch of other breeders to sell their dogs and that is how many puppy mills operate. And it's not only Lancaster County that has puppy mills, all counties in PA have them so be wary!

Ask your vet for a recommendation of a good Boxer breeder in your area and don't buy over the internet or from a pet store, they are puppy mill dogs. Have you considered rescuing a dog? If you're set on a boxer there is a boxer rescue group. And on petfinder.org there are 200,000+ dogs who need homes. Surf petfinder.org and your heart will brake for all of them....

Amanda wrote:

Has anyone dealt with Rippling Spring Puppies in Stevens, PA? I would like to look at a boxer from from one of Rosie's litter's but am a little unsure after hearing all of the complaints of puppy mills. I also saw Greenfield puppies listed but from reading above being they are in Lancaster I was extremely hesitant along with all the other breeds they had listed. My husband & I are looking for a boxer as a family pet. Thanks.

[Cara]

I would be careful about Greenfield puppies. I spoke to one of the breeders because I was interesed in a puppy. I asked if he could email me more pics, and he refused. He said he couldnt. Well why not if they were his pets like he said??I immediately got a bad feeling, and stopped there, I never pursued it any further. I dont know if its a puppy mill or not. I would just be careful.

[Sandra]

I feel that these "Puppy Mill" owners should be treated the same way they have treated these animals. Put them in a cage and let them freeze, go without food, water and just laugh and when they die let them just rot away in their cage.

[Kim]

My husband and I purchased our Yellow Labrador Retriever through a Rippling Springs breeder. We drove 3 hours to the outskirts of Lancaster and honestly I have to say that I was extremely comfortable through the entire process. The breeder was very nice. The parents of the puppies were both outside for us to see and were very healthy as were the 2 pups that were there. It was a lovely family as well that requested we stay in touch and send lots of photos. I have to say I did see Oprah's special and when they mentioned Lancaster my heart dropped. We did not see any signs of a mill. Good luck!

[Kim]

Amanda wrote:

Has anyone dealt with Rippling Spring Puppies in Stevens, PA? I would like to look at a boxer from from one of Rosie's litter's but am a little unsure after hearing all of the complaints of puppy mills. I also saw Greenfield puppies listed but from reading above being they are in Lancaster I was extremely hesitant along with all the other breeds they had listed. My husband & I are looking for a boxer as a family pet. Thanks.

We purchased our Yellow Lab through a breeder affiliated with Rippling Springs Puppies and had a great experience. The breeder was wonderful and asked they we stay in touch with them and send lots of pictures. The parents of our puppy were there also and were in excellent health. The puppies were beautiful. We've had our lab for 1 1/2 years and he is just perfect. He's been to the vet 2 times now and no problems at all. Good luck and just be careful.

[Denise H]

I have purchased a Golden Doodle from Deep Run Kennels, Dale Weaver. In defense of Dale, I will say that you can do your homework and breed great quality pups of different breeds and still be reputable. Most breeders even AKC breeders have more than 1 choice of dog. Ringworms are very common in pups, and littermates unfortunately share more than just being siblings. Spending quality time and home raising them means a lot to pups since they learn the most important things in life before they are sold at 8 to 12wks. My concern with my pup is the Entropion she has and pending surgery, and will see how good his health guarantee is, I will not give up my dog since I have fallen in love with her, and spent countless hours training her. It was clearly known she was to be breed able, this was not only made known by myself, but also the friend who purchased her for me. This all has left me confused, hurt, and in tears thinking that someone would take a dog back after you have loved and raised this pup to be one of your family members.

[Amanda]

Thank you lovaldgs & Kim for your responses!
We are also in NJ. My husband actually ended up contacting Rippling Springs and they gave him the name of the breeder that had the boxer puppies. He drove out 2 hrs away about a 1/2 before Lancaster. It was a private family that had the 3 adult boxers on the property and the one litter of puppies. No puppy mill in site. My husband said everything looked clean and didn't make him uncomfortable otherwise he would have left. I have to say our new pup is a wonderful energetic pup. And so far with no health issues, since we bought him to the vet to be checked. They gave us papers and they were registered with AKC.

[Denise update Hannah]

Denise H wrote:

I have purchased a Golden Doodle from Deep Run Kennels, Dale Weaver. In defense of Dale, I will say that you can do your homework and breed great quality pups of different breeds and still be reputable. Most breeders even AKC breeders have more than 1 choice of dog. Yes I would be concerned if it goes over 3 or 4 breeds at one time, that each breed is getting the attention it takes to produce quality dogs. Ringworms are very common in pups, and littermates unfortunately share more than just being siblings. Dale sent home wormer medicine for Hannah and she did have a clean bill of health at 12wks old. Spending quality time and home raising them means a lot to pups since they learn the most important things in life before they are sold at 8 to 12wks. Again Hannah's problems developed after 7 months of age with the Entropion. Dale and I did come to a respectable agreement where he would pay for Hannah's surgery, and for her to be spayed (Dale is standing behind the Health Guarentee). This will also protect his kennel from getting a bad name, because NO pups will come from Hannah or produce Entropion. I just hope that Dale will contact and keep in touch with the siblings of Hannah so this does not continue when and if they are breed. No one can say for sure when it will happen, or to which pup will have Entropion, but there are alot of breeds that carry this. Here are some sites that might be able to help...

http://www.consumeraffairs.com /pets/lemon_intro.html
http://cbs3.com/local/Pennsylvania.Puppy.Lemo...
http://www.pet-abuse.com/
Good Luck All ...

[Denise Glade]

We bought our boxer puppy, Piper, last July through Rippling Springs. Their web site describes their breeders as "back-yard" breeders, which to me now means they are not qualified breeders at all, but indeed puppy-mill providers.

Our beloved Piper was diagnosed today with Boxer Cardiomyopathy, which is an inherited disease and one that a qualified breeder would screen for prior to breeding.

She just turned a year old last week and her prognosis is not good. Boxer Cardiomyopathy can cause sudden death, and even with treatment, the life expectancy is greatly shortened.

We are heartbroken, so please beware before you get into this same situation.

[Denise Glade]

We bought our boxer puppy, Piper, last July through Rippling Springs. Their web site describes their breeders as "back-yard" breeders, which to me now means they are not qualified breeders at all, but indeed puppy-mill providers.

Our beloved Piper was diagnosed today with Boxer Cardiomyopathy, which is an inherited disease and one that a qualified breeder would screen for prior to breeding.

She just turned a year old last week and her prognosis is not good. Boxer Cardiomyopathy can cause sudden death, and even with treatment, the life expectancy is greatly shortened.

We are heartbroken, so please beware before you get into this same situation.

[Denise Hersh]

I am sorry to hear the problems you are having Denise Glade, I hope what I post below may help you, Florida has very strict and the best lemon laws protecting purcharser of dogs. Did you contact the breeder and inform them of the problems, do you have a Health Guarentee, follow the link below and this should also help you. If you contact the breeder 1. let it be known you are not returning this pup because you are already attached, and this pup will live its life out in a loving home with you. 2. Tell the breeder what you expect for reimbursement within the guidelines of your puppy lemon laws, and if your not satisfied then tell them you are filling against them with consumer protection, under puppy lemon laws, you will contact other agencies, and the best one to contact is the IRS.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/lemon_fl....

[lovaldgs]

You were lucky and I'm very happy for you...enjoy the pup! But remember and this is for all who buy dogs from PA....beware! What doesn't look like a puppy mill might very well be. And a big issue that buyers do not realize - having AKC papers does NOT guarantee health, personality, etc.. All those papers do is guarantee that the dog is a purebred. And AKC is very much silent on the puppy mill problem. Why? They get a fee for every puppy that is registered with them. A huge portion of their operating budget depends on these registrations. No wonder they are silent on shutting down puppy mills. Big income loss!!
And these puppy mills? They advertise that the dogs are AKC registered....sooooo??????? Duping the public for sure!!!

Amanda wrote:

Thank you lovaldgs & Kim for your responses!
We are also in NJ. My husband actually ended up contacting Rippling Springs and they gave him the name of the breeder that had the boxer puppies. He drove out 2 hrs away about a 1/2 before Lancaster. It was a private family that had the 3 adult boxers on the property and the one litter of puppies. No puppy mill in site. My husband said everything looked clean and didn't make him uncomfortable otherwise he would have left. I have to say our new pup is a wonderful energetic pup. And so far with no health issues, since we bought him to the vet to be checked. They gave us papers and they were registered with AKC.

[lovaldgs]

All my posts show that I'm from different parts of the country each time I post. Very strange how Topix works.

I live on the border of Lancaster County, PA and drive by signs selling puppies etc.....I have adopted a puppy mill breeder too and have investigated many of them through our local rescue group. So if I show anger or frustration at these operations, I'm sorry but they have to be shut down!! Forever!!!!!

My wish is that the public is educated enough that they don't buy from pet stores or internet no matter how appealing the ads seem or how cute that puppy in the cage in pet store is. Remember you buy one? Wholesaler replaces it with another one from a puppy mill.....just continuing the vicious cycle. It has to stop!