puppies of westport - the reality
It costs nothing to get an independent voice before completely believing the person who has a vested interest in you handing over a credit card. This group is interested in saving lives and ending cruelty. If you were buying a new car, you'd do research. We recommend you take the time to do the same for your puppy purchase. We know they look cute when you see them in stores (and they are!) but please consider the conditions for the parents.Before you shop at the Puppies of Westport store, please contact us. Take the time if you care about animals. If you still choose to shop at this store after we provide you with documented facts on the puppy mills these dogs come from, so be it.
the facts
Puppies of Westport claims that it does not buy puppies from the three largest brokers in the country, yet the breeders it uses sell their puppies to these very brokers (Hunte, Lambriar and Tracy's K&J Pets) as well as to Puppies of Westport.
Puppies of Westport claims it buys dogs from an exclusive set of breeders but those same breeders often supply stores all over the United States. These breeders alone are used by Puppies of Westport and All Pets Club, a pet store in Wallingford, Ct:
- Cheryl Diel
- Charles Feldmann
- Dorothy Fisher
- Kae Sherrill
- Rhonda Slagley
- Melva Verene Sparkman
Meanwhile, breeder Joyce Norton (Knox City, MO) sells her puppies to Puppies of Westport, Puppy Love in Danbury, Ct., AND Claws N Paws Plus in Norwalk, Ct.
Video Evidence
Allison Hedgpeth dba Lonewolf Kennel – Iberia, Missouri
Dog Auctions are held almost every weekend in the Midwest. These auctions must be seen to be believed. Several are shown on the following PetShopPuppies.org video, including excerpts from an auction held at Lonewolf Kennel in Iberia, MO on April 19, 2004
The owner of Lonewolf, Allison Hedgpeth, claimed on the auction flyer that she was retiring from the business, but four years later is still breeding and brokering. A total of 129 dogs and puppies were sold, 18 different breeds.
In addition to interior and exterior views, this video shows the heart-breaking auction of a Golden Retriever mom and her pups that day.
Hedgpeth sold 20 puppies to Puppies of Westport from between Dec. 2006 and Oct. 2007.
Meet another breeder used by Puppies of Westport. The breeder, Liz Kuk, of Kuk’s 160 Kennel in Caulfield, Missouri, publicly claims to be “following all the laws and regulations.” The kennel sold two “designer” mixed breed puppies to Puppies of Westport in January 2007. She goes on to say, “I love and care for all my dogs and puppies.” USDA inspection reports tell a different story. She received her USDA license (43A4621) in 2005.
From Kuk's January, 2006 USDA inspection report:
The outdoor wire enclosure containing 2 Boxers has inadequate shelter, thus protection from the cold. The weather at this time of year (winter) is variably cold, windy and rainy. One shelter is a plastic barrel, but the dogs are taller than the barrel. The other is a transport carrier and it is not large enough for the dogs to turn about freely. There is old hay in the barrel, but only dried leaves in the transport carrier. There is no wind break at the entrance of either shelter. Shelters must provide adequate protection from the weather so the dogs will remain healthy.
From Kuk's March, 2007 USDA inspection report:
Outdoor facilities - The smaller gauge wire covering the welded panels has sharp points where the wire was cut. The dogs are in contact with the sharp points as they jump about and can become injured. For the health and well being of the dogs, the sharp points must be removed or covered. This affects 6 adult dogs.
Water receptacles in 5 of the outdoor enclosures have green residue on the inner surface. The residue may be harmful to the dogs. Water receptacles must be kept clean and sanitized. This affects 15 adult dogs.
Ms. Kuk’s animal inventory count for March, 2007 was 55 adult dogs and 40 puppies.
She “loves and cares” for all her dogs and puppies? You decide.
Breeders, Mike and Melanie Moore in Kansas shipped four pups to Puppies of Westport in March 2007. Another puppy was shipped by the Moores to Puppies of Westport in February 2008, according to publicly available documents.
The facility run by the Moores has had repeat violations related to sanitary and safety conditions.October 2006 inspection:
The Moore’s kennel inventory in March, 2007 was 180 dogs and 44 puppies.
Breeding conditions exposed
The video below shows Carole's Puppy Palace in Pocola, Oklahoma. As you'll see, it's far from a palace. This breeder (Carole Glenn) sold four puppies to Puppies of Westport between August and September, 2007.Meanwhile, Puppies of Westport's Web site says the following: "We understand the concern about 'pet shop puppies' and have worked very hard to establish relationships with over 150 private breeders that meet our high standards."
