SHAME ON MISSOURI GOV. NIXON!

Jay Nixon, Govenor of Missouri has signed the bill to undo Proposition B. A classic example of greed over compassion.

CALIFORNIA PETS PROTEST APRIL 16

Courage     Integrity     Tenacity

The Animal Defense Team refuses to be intimidated . After encountering this (see photo below) at the March 26 protest at California Pets Escondido, the ADT doubled its numbers and returned April 16 to protest at California Pets Escondido.  

There was a great amount of support from mall customers and the public. Many thanked us for being there and many told stories of sick puppies who had been purchased in puppy stores. We were able to distribute hundreds of flyers with information about puppy brokers, including the Hunte Corp., used by California Pets and the USDA. That information also appears elsewhere on this website. Thanks to the great group who joined the Animal Defense Team, standing in compassion for those who have no voice!

Important information from petshoppuppies.org about the transportation of puppies from the Midwest to pet stores like California pets:

Most pet shop puppies originate in the Midwest; however, most pet stores are located on the East and West coast. Have you ever wondered how tiny eight week old puppies, just weaned from their mother, are transported 1000-2000 miles to fill the pet stores where they will become a hot commodity for families looking to add the love of a puppy to their home?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses and inspects wholesale dog breeders and brokers, as well as those that make it part of their business to transport puppies in the wholesale market.

Pet store puppies usually originate at USDA puppy farms where the pups will be booked with a broker shortly after their birth. The breeder calls the broker and tells them what breed, color and size of puppies they have. The puppies are then sold to brokers (middle men) when they are 8 weeks old. Broker vans, cars, trucks and SUVs book an appointment with the breeders, usually meeting them in one centralized location in their area, such as a truck port alongside the interstate. The broker vehicle then moves on to the next stop, usually another truck port 20 miles or so down the road. The broker vehicle spends the day picking up puppies, and then transport them to the broker's facility.

After the broker books the puppies, shortly after their birth, they begin contacting pet stores they are contracted with and faxing them a list of puppies they will have available in the near future. The pet store places their order, and when the broker's pick-up vehicle arrives, packed full of puppies, the pups are settled in, checked by a vet, and held for a minimum of 24 hours, as required by USDA. The broker arranges the transport of the pups ordered by pet stores, and the puppies are then shipped to the pet stores that ordered them.

Broker facilities, like pet stores, range from small "mom and pop" type companies to very large corporations that deal in 800-1000 puppies each week. Smaller brokers normally work with just a few select pet stores, and often have a transport van that drives the puppies to the pet stores. The puppies are often in crates and on the road for several days before arriving at their destination. Some brokers use only the airlines (which are also regulated by USDA) and the pet stores have someone that drives to the airport to pick up puppies -- usually weekly. The larger brokers have their own transportation, such as large tractor trailer units that hold hundreds of puppies. Because these semi-trucks stop at dozens of locations along the way, puppies are often caged for 2-3 days, depending on their destination.

Once the puppies arrive at the pet store, they are either put on display almost immediately, or in some states, they are required to be quarantined for a short time before being offered for sale. For most puppies in pet stores, they have been shuffled around between dozens of hands and travel thousands of miles, exposed to hundreds of other puppies -- many sick with various diseases. All of this occurs between their 8th and 9th week of life. This stressful time, and exposure to diseases, often leaves pet store puppies with virtually no natural antibodies against viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Protest Outside California Pets in Escondido

From the Reader.com
Protest Outside California Pets in Escondido

www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/apr/19/stringers-protest-california-pets-escondido
By Jill Ballard
Published Tuesday, April 19, 2011

For two hours on Saturday, April 16, members of the San Diego Animal Defense Team protested outside the California Pets store, located in the North County Fair mall.

Jan Hatch, speaking for the San Diego Animal Defense Team, said that the activists want California Pets owner Joe Shamore "to stop selling puppies and go humane."

The activists handed out flyers to shoppers that alleged California Pets has received puppy shipments from puppy brokers such as the Hunte Corporation (Goodman, MO), Lambriar Inc. (Mahaska, KS), and Tracy’s K&J Pets (Fair Grove, MO). These brokers, which purchase puppies from kennels and mills for resale to pet stores, have all received citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the flyer.

The flyer also highlighted legal violations by the Hunte Corporation, such as having "trenches of dead canines on the premises," for which the company was cited in 2003 by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

To read the rest of the article, go to:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2011/apr/19/stringers-protest-california-pets-escondido/

Breaking News -- Missouri is asking for our help

The embattled animal welfare people trying to better the lives of puppy mill dogs in Missouri are now asking for our help. Please call Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon at 573-751-3222 or send him a message at
http://governor.mo.gov/contact

Suggested message:
Dear Governor Jay Nixon, I am writing to urge you to VETO Senate Bill 113.Please set the example and protect dogs from their miserable lives in puppy mills. Thousands nationwide are following this, and are waiting in anticipation for the outcome. I urge you to lead the way for change. Thank you

Scroll down on this page for background information

3/26/11 Interview with Joe Shamore, Owner of California Pets

JS: Joe Shamore
ADT:Animal Defense Team

Although this video is audible, because of the background noise in some parts, we have transcribed some of the discussion.

JS: I can guarantee you right now -- I don't use the Hunte Corporation.

ADT: You never used them as a broker? It's all over the internet.

ADT: Could you tell us for the camera if you've ever used the Hunte Corp.?

JS: No, I didn't say I'd never used them.

ADT: And could you tell me when you stopped using them?

JS: I stopped using the Hunte Corp. approximately  5 or 6 years ago.

TO CALIFORNIA PETS: GO HUMANE! STOP SELLING PUPPIES!

Where does California Pets Get Puppies?


On March 26, 2011, California Pets owner Joe Shamore told the Animal Defense Team “I guarantee I don’t use the Hunte Corporation.” After questioning: “I didn‘t say I didn’t ever use them.” When asked when he stopped, he said “I stopped using them 5 or 6 years ago.” See the video above.
In fact, USDA records show California Pets received shipments of puppies from the Hunte Corp. in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Records for 2011 are not yet available. (source: petshoppuppies.org)

What the Heck is Hunte?

Pet stores that sell puppies commonly use brokers. “middleman” animal dealers that buy puppies from many different kennels and puppy mills for resale to pet stores. Major brokers include The Hunte Corp. in Goodman, Missouri, Lambriar Inc. in Mahaska, Kansas and Tracey’ K&J Pets in Fairgrove, Missouri. All have been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for multiple violations. California Pets has received shipments from all of them. (source:HSUS)

The Hunte Corp. alone processed at least 80,000 puppies through their assembly lines last year and ships an estimated 1500-2,000 puppies a week to pet stores all across the country.


The USDA has cited Hunte for keeping dozens of animals in too-small cages, repeatedly transporting underage puppies, and other violations. (source: HSUS) Their Southern Missouri Better Business Bureau rating is a D, based on an A-F schedule. (source: SM BBB)

They were cited and fined by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2003 with clean water and waste violations for having “trenches of dead canines on the premises.” The Dept. spokesperson said Hunte “was close to violating the state’s dead animal disposal law, that allows no more than 1,000 pounds of dead animals per acre.” (source:BostonGlobe.com) How many dead puppies does it take to reach 1,000 pounds?

In 2006, 60 puppies were killed in a Hunte truck fire. All pups were caged in a 40 ft. trailer-truck and had already been transported 1,000 miles at the time they died. Another fire within a few months jeopardized 94 pups.

IS THIS OK WITH YOU? WE DIDN’T’ THINK SO.

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO BAN PUPPY STORES!

TELL CALIFORNIA PETS, PUPARAZZI, PUPS AND PETS

AND ALL SAN DIEGO PUPPY STORES TO GO HUMANE AND STOP SELLING PUPPIES!

Recent HSUS Raid on Tennesse Breeder -- see the video!

Click on this link: The Cruelty Ends Here

Is This the Sweet Beginning You Pictured?

What is a puppy mill? Best Friends says "A puppy mill is any breeding operation that raises dogs for profit." Puppy mills are also known as commercial breeders. They are licensed to sell puppies wholesale to brokers and pet stores. Being one of the thousands of USDA licensed kennels does not mean the puppies are healthy or of quality. It means they came from puppy factories regulated by the US Department of Agriculture, just  like those for chickens or cows.

Following are photos of breeding females in USDA regulated kennels which meet or exceed USDA standards. These are the "quality USDA breeders" the pet stores brag about.

THESE ARE THE MOTHERS THE PET STORE PUPPIES LEFT BEHIND.

If you love dogs, you owe it to them to not support puppy mills.

Never buy a puppy unless you personally see

the kennel and mother dog .

It's as simple as that.

Missouri Puppy Mill Bill Repeal Update

APRIL 13 --Breaking News from Missouri:  Today Missouri Senate Bill 113, the bill to undo the voter approved Prop B, a crackdown on dog breeders, passed the Missouri House of Representatives. This was no surprise considering Majority Whip Jason Smith is the son of Mary Ann Smith, a puppy mill breeder who is included on the HSUS Missouri "Dirty Dozen" list. Governor Jay Nixon now has 15 days to veto the bill or allow it to become law.

What does that mean to the intent of Proposition B, which would give some basic humane protection to the dogs being bred in Missouri commercial kennels?

SB 113 is called The Canine Cruelty Prevention Act with  pups referred to as "dogs bred in large operations" instead of  "dogs in puppy mills."

SB 113 would remove Prop B's 50-dog limit, replacing it with no limit for kennels on number of breeding dogs .

SB 113 would remove restrictions on how often a dog could breed. Prop B limited all dogs to breeding no more than twice in an 18-month period.

SB 113 would remove the requirement that each dog be examined by a veterinarian annually. Instead,  dogs would need a "visual inspection" twice per year meaning a vet could visit and quickly survey a breeder's dogs instead of examining each one.

SB 113 would remove the requirement that dogs get "unfettered access" to an exercise area outdoors.

SB 113 would remove the requirement that dogs get continual water. Instead, breeders would be required to give the dog water every eight hours. Prop B mandated that the water be "free of debris, feces, algae, and other contaminants." The Senate bill removes that provision entirely.

SB 113 removes the requirement that the dog's living space be cleaned of waste at least once a day.

SB 113 removes the requirement that dogs have enough space to lie down and fully extend their limbs, plus a foot of headroom on top.

SB 113 removes the threat of a class C misdemeanor for any breeder in violation of the requirements. Instead, breeders would face criminal charges only if they're found in repeated violation -- or in violation of an "agreed-to" remedial order. It would also add fines of up to $1,000.

SB 113 adds a provision requiring "an impervious barrier" between stacked cages.  Prop B would have essentially outlawed stacked cages entirely so the dogs in lower cages would not be subjected to a constant rain of urine and feces from dogs above them.

Missouri's Prop B is a simple measure, setting basic humane standards for USDA commercial dog breeders. We believe it's only a first step. Now it turns out that it is far too humane for the Missouri legislature.

Cruelty to animals and factory farming of dogs for profit is not acceptable.

Help us stop it by stopping the demand for the puppies from commercial breeders.