More than 1100 dogs and puppies
will be spared continued misery in the largest puppy mill in the state by
Wisconsin Humane Society's recent purchase of Puppy Haven Kennel!
In a press conference on 18 July
2008, the WHS announced that it had purchased the assets of Puppy Haven Kennel
in Greene Lake Co., WI. Former owner Wallace Havens says he wishes to retire;
he is selling just the dogs and the equipment used in his breeding operation
but not the 20 acres of land the kennel occupies.
The more than 1100 dogs included
in the purchase will all be spayed and neutered before being released for
adoption. Many of the dogs will also need extensive dental work and
socialiazation before they can be placed in their new homes.
Reportedly, the
"equipment," including kennels and whelping pens, will be demolished.
For more details on this sale,
please see the links below.
 TMJ-4
News Report Video
Wisconsin State Journal
Report/Comments
WI Humane Society Press Release WHS FAQ
Many are ambivalent about the
purchase of a puppy mill by a humane organization. While very happy that over a
thousand dogs will be freed from a life of misery, some fear that a bad
precedent is being set and question what impact the influx of these dogs will
have on funding for and adoption at shelters overburdened with owner surrenders
due to the economy.
Best Friends: Rescue's Role in the Fight Against Puppy
Mills
One comment on the Wisconsin
State Journal story also asked if there were any "specific language in
this sale that prohibits this land from ever being used again for the breeding
of dogs."
Although we have some questions
we hope will be answered in the weeks and months ahead, we are EXTREMELY happy
for the hundreds of dogs that now have a chance at a life outside the walls and
cages of Puppy Haven!
I-Team Investigatioin: Inside Puppy
Haven Video
A Message from Bentley (pictured
above)
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