Doodles needing homes

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I received this email from a  local forum I am a member of and thought I would pass it along.... just incase anyone in British Columbia Canada is interested. HOWEVER... please read my reply (the very last paragraph) as it issues a warning

Hello Vancouver Doodle Members, 

I received some sad news recently that the owner of Winsome Kennels (myminidoodles.com) past away and as a result they are shutting down the kennel. There a numerous members who purchased their doodle from Winsome,including myself. I received an email from Helga( former employee) who is helping Francis (widow) place the remaining puppies. They need to do this within the next two weeks. If you know of anyone interested in a doodle have them contact Hegla. Please read the following email from Helga which explains what is happening and how to contact her. 

(name removed for privacy)

Thank-you for your responding email. Francis (widow) thanks you very much for your condolences & words of support about the kennel. Stress had everything to do with Jamie's death. Sadly the kennel business will not continue. The property has been sold & the dogs & puppies need to be placed within two weeks or they will have to be surrendered elsewhere. 
Funds raised in the sale of the adult breeding dogs & puppies will go to Justin's (8 yr old son) trust account. Most of the breeding dogs are midi doodles (35 lbs) with great temperaments. I'll get an accurate inventory of the puppies tomorrow. Some pups are 5-6 months old & some are very young, all available at very discounted prices. Francis might even be into a foster the mom & pups situation where the foster folks can have the mom & pick of the litter?!? we're just putting any & all ideas out there...any feedback or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks again for your support. 

Please have any interested customers contact me via email or cell # 604 741-1835. 

warm regards, 

Helga

MY RESPONSE

While I really feel for the family, and of course the poor dogs needing homes, I feel I have to issue a warning about Winsome Kennels. I know some of you have dogs from there, and Im sure they are great dogs, but please be aware that many people consider Winsome Kennels a Puppy Mill - there have been many bad reviews, not just about the people breeding there, but the health of the dogs. No decent breeder breeds so many breeds (3 sizes of labradoodles and glodendoodles, rotties, wheatens, and wheaten/poodles). People have got dogs from here who have developed hip displaysia, yet they still bred the parents. testing is not done on parent dogs! Dogs are picked up sick/dying.

If you do take one of these dogs, please look at it as rescuing one from a shelter - where you do not know what health and behaviour issues the dog may have. They are not home bred (they are in dirty kennels) and therefore are not likely to be well socialized

Google winsome kennels puppy mill and you will find many bad reviews

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have to disagree with you; anyone who takes a dog or puppy from this despicable place should not look at it as rescuing one from a shelter. Make no mistake about it, you are buying a puppy mill dog from a puppy mill breeder. The money is going to the proprietor's family, not to a non-profit organization. It is an insult to those of us whose dogs were rescued from shelters to compare this to rescue. There have been many BYBs and failed kennels who need the money every bit as much, yet they have surrendered their dogs to shelters and private rescues, knowing their dogs would be carefully placed in loving homes. The fact that these people are still wanting to sell them is further proof that they are despicable. Every single person here can tell a sad story about financila problems or tragedies that have befallen their family or someone close to them. That's not an excuse to sell intact breeding dogs and sick puppies to the highest bidder.
Winsome Kennels in their heyday bred over 800 puppies a year; there is documentation of every genetic disease it is possible for a doodle to have in their lines. Including Jack's disease, Atopic Dermatitis. Those of us with atopic dogs will be happy to tell anyone who is interested in a dog from Winsome Kennels how many thousands of dollars it costs us to treat our dogs.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Well said Karen, very true.

[Ronnie & Emma]

i actually considered purchasing from this commercial breeder but then i backed out after i've been there and read the reviews.
i just put my heart out there for the family and the dogs. I agree that you really have to consider whta tyou are putting yourself into when purchasing these dogs..though you may be saving a life.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have been informed there are about 8 doodles of variuos ages at the vancouver SPCA, taken from the Sunshine Coast, most likely Winsome Kennels

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There was a big breeder dump of doodles at the Sunshine Coast SPCA about a month ago, also probably from Winsome.
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/canadiandoodles/forum/topics/many...