Breeder or Puppy Mill

[Chris & Boys]

With the info on Almost Heaven posted the other day I wondered........how many kennels does a state allow a breeder to have? Where is the line drawn between breeder and mill operator? Do they just consider it a mill if the dogs are mistreated? What is the limit of dogs a responsible breeder should be breeding?

[Jeannine]

A lot of people spoke about that long time ago... But like in your own Country Politicians are very slow to make good laws when their pockets are full of those people's money...
In my province, we do have a lot of little farm villages and there too people are not very educated about those subjects.
I cannot tell you how many puppy mills that were closed in the last ten years but just to re-opened in another village or little town because no laws protect the animals there. Is it not what Skip Eckart is doing in PA?

Both our Countries are very similar regarding this manner and I'm not proud of that. The only way we have to protest is to scream loud and sign as many petitions and send letters to the editors of newspapers to make it clear to our Political representatives in the Parliament that we will not accept that anymore.
I now live in a little town in Ontario and just few weeks ago the SPCA shut a dozen "little" puppy mills because of new law. We are now the best province in Canada regarding the protection of the animals. So my friend, the war is not finish yet, we just win a few battles and we do have to continue to do our best in my and your Country.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

PA does require a license to own so many dogs, you can find this information at the PA Dept. of Agriculture, the most dogs that I have been told you could own without needing a kennel license in PA was 5 dogs, but this also can depend on your city dog laws. Allentown and Bethlehem PA is 5 dogs, Bucks County is 5 dogs, Emmaus Pa is suppose to be 5 dogs, so I don't know where they get 25 from. As for what is considered a puppy mill, Almost Heaven breeds Doodles and Mixes, Boxers, Poodles, Dobermans, Chihuahua, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Pit Bulls, Shih Tzu's, and Yorkies. I personally feel anyone who breeds more than two to three types of dogs at one time should be considered a puppy mill. There is no way you can research and keep up with breed standards with all these breeds even to perfect one breed. Almost Heaven kennels also breeds Cats, they have Birds, and Monkeys, along with all the dead Guinea Pigs they found there. Problems with PA's kennel license is you can get a license for 500 or more dogs...sky is the limit. Pa laws have a long way to go before they or any state will put puppy mills completly out of business, and why we need every dog lover, owner to write to your Congressman and get Federal Laws that protect the breeding of our animals where kennels are concerned. I do understand that there are Breeders who do not want this, because the laws could harm them as well, but if we stand together we can get laws written Federally that will protect the good kennels and put an end to the puppy mills.

Below is the link for the Pa. Dept. of Agriculture and you can research the dog laws in PA, you can also research kennel inspection by clicking on 2nd link and fill in any kennel name in PA, not sure if this will work, but if you go to the site for the Dept. it will.

http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?a=3&...

Click here to enter the Kennel Inspection DatabaseBureau of Dog Law Enforcement

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Pennsylvania Taking Action to Protect Dogs, Improve Kennels

Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed into law legislation that will help Pennsylvania to rid its reputation as the ‘Puppy Mill Capitol of the East.’

House Bill 2525, now Act 119, will greatly improve the treatment dogs receive while in commercial kennels. Under the old law, dogs could spend their entire lives in cramped, stacked cages with no opportunity to exercise and very little care. But no more. Now, dogs will benefit from larger cage sizes without wire flooring, and mandatory exercise periods and care by a trained veterinarian.

These improvements will help to ensure that the pets families one day welcome into their home will be happier and healthier.

Pennsylvania Kennel Inspections

You can now view dog kennel inspection record online, and print a copy of the actual inspection form.

Note: you will need to enable pop-ups to view kennel inspection reports

Click here to enter the Kennel Inspection Database

Toll-Free Dog Law Tipline
Call 1-877-DOG-TIP1 (1-877-364-8471) to offer confidential tips about unsatisfactory kennels.

Pennsylvania Kennel Applications

Please note that it is the kennel owner’s responsibility to complete the application independent of the Bureau. While we are happy to answer general questions, kennel owner’s who are uncertain regarding answers to specific questions may wish to consult with a professional who is skilled in providing assistance in such matters.

General questions regarding the application can be directed to Ms. Bernadette Miller at [phone].

Kennel owners who desire to voluntarily close their kennel should feel free to consult with the Bureau / your dog warden for help in re-homing kennel dogs. We are very willing to provide assistance in locating opportunities for placement of dogs.

Kennel License Application (PDF)
Kennel Closure Application (PDF)
Letter to Kennel Owners, Dec. 12, 2008 (PDF)

Waiver of Commercial Kennel Requirements cover letter (PDF)
Waiver of Commercial Kennel Requirements (Word)

The Bureau of Dog Law is charged with the following responsibilities:
Enforcing licensing and control of dogs
Enforcing kennel licensing and inspections
Investigating dog bites
Seizing and detaining any dog seen running at large
Reimbursing individuals for dog-caused damage to livestock, poultry and domestic game birds
Establishing and enforcing the quarantine of dogs in certain areas when required
Funding counties and humane organizations to establish dog control facilities
Providing educational services concerning dog ownership in Pennsylvania
Enforcing the Pennsylvania Rabies Law

What are Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws?
All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed. Licenses are issued by the County Treasurer
All dogs must be under control and must not be allowed to run at large. Dogs are personal property, and owners are responsible for damages caused their dog.
It is illegal to mistreat or abuse any animal. Violations should be reported to a local humane organization or the police.
It is illegal to abandon or attempt to abandon any dog.
No dog under eight weeks of age may be sold, traded, bartered or transferred.
You may not place any poison or harmful substance in any place where dogs may easily eat it, whether it is your own property or elsewhere.
You must have a current kennel license if you operate a facility that keeps, harbors, boards, shelters, sells, gives away or transfers a total of 26 or more dogs in any one calendar year.
Owners of dogs and cats 3 months of age or older are required to have a current rabies vaccination. It is illegal to interfere with an officer or employee of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture engaged in enforcement of dog laws.

Puppy Lemon Law:

In an effort to ensure that consumers buying a dog in Pennsylvania know thier new pet has a clean bill of health, Pennsylvania's dog sellers and breeders must now post a visible notice that informs consumers of their rights under the state's Dog Purchaser Protection Act, also known as the "Puppy Lemon Law". Sellers and breeders must also provide a written copy of the consumer's rights at the time of the sale.

For more information on Pennsylvania's "Puppy Lemon Law", or to file a complaint, visit the Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection web site at: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/consumers.aspx?id=163


Additional Resources:

For information about Pennsylvania’s Dog Laws
Dog Law Annual Reports
County Treasurers
Dog Bite Regulations
Dog Law Frequently Asked Questions
Dog Warden Listing
Pennsylvania Dog Law (PDF)
PA Dog License
Damage Claims
Register a complaint
Pennsylvania Shelter Listing (PDF)
2009 Grant Application Form (PDF)
2009 Grant Program Guidelines & Conditions



General information regarding licenses, dangerous dogs,
damage claims and kennel applications, please contact:
Michele L. Brookins, Assistant to the Director
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
2301 N Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

For addt'l information, please contact:
Susan West, Director
Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
2301 N Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

[Adina P]

It's a tough question because like Lynne said it depends on what a person considers responsible or not.
When I think of a puppy mill...I think of both poor care and high volume. But I have a problem with super high volume too.

So let's say there is a kennel with 40 dogs and adequately staffed, dogs are fed and watered, everything is immaculate, dogs get exercised on a schedule and receive appropriate vetting. No 'neglect' at all. I don't think that should be a legal issue at all. Of course it's not what I would consider ideal and I would NOT buy a dog from such a breeder because I place value on more than just basic care.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'll throw out this question: Say I buy 20 dogs of unknown parentage from auctions, pet stores, "commercial breeders", Craig's list, or wherever, and start breeding them in my garage. I don't know much about it, but I love dogs, and besides, what's to know? The dogs do the work, lol. I do no testing, but that's not really important, because they are all of different breeds, so they will automatically be healthy, right? They look healthy. I let them all out into the yard every day to play, keep their living space clean, feed them, give them clean water, and treat them nicely. What am I? I am definitely a "breeder", because I am breeding and selling puppies. But what kind? Am I a puppy mill? A BYB? A hobby breeder? What would you call me?
I don't think the name matters that much. I am not a responsible breeder. Would you want to buy a puppy from me?

[Jeannine]

No thank you...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, would it make a difference if the dogs were in my basement instead of my garage? If they were in crates?
If there were 10 dogs instead of 20? How about 5?
The words "responsible breeder" would still not enter into any of these scenarios, IMO.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

How about that we just have one dog and wouldn't it be fun to just let her have one litter? I heard that they are better off having at least one litter, I can't remember why, but it would be fun to do it at least once, wouldn't it?

Am I a responsible breeder?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Hey, call it a doodle or foodle or koodle and you can make a lot of money! That's all that matters, isn't it?

[Jeannine]

If this is not a clear definition of a BYB or puppy mills I'm not French speaking... maybe Russian or Japanese

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know that Chris's real question is how people can know the difference between a puppy mill or a responsible breeder, or even a not-so-responsible breeder. One way to start would be by doing a Google search of both the kennel name and the breeder's name. All this hoopla about Almost Heaven is mind-boggling to me in light of the fact that we knew about this two years ago. It was in the newspaper. It was on the internet. It was here on DK in our old Rescue Group. If you were going to buy anything that cost more than a hundred dollars, let alone a living creature who is going to share your home for the next 15 years, wouldn't you do a search on-line? Now, I'm not saying that everything you see posted on-line is true. But huge newspaper articles about a puppy mill bust are not forum gossip. There is no excuse for anyone not to have known about that.
To me, the most important thing is not the number of dogs, the cleanliness, how much the breeder likes dogs, if the dogs live in the house or in kennels, etc. There are terrific breeders with wonderful dogs that have every different kind of living set-up. The most important things are: where did the dogs come from and show me the testing on the parents.

[Adina P]

I think that anyone who REALLY wants to know...can figure it out by looking at ALL aspects of a breeding program...and won't be too easily fooled. It's when you have no clue what to look for or that you should be looking for something that you get duped.

[Chris & Boys]

Thank you Karen, that was exactly my point. But my friends did do their due dilligence, They found she was an active memeber of her church, 4H, and so on.....but my friends were never aware that they had a license for 75 kennels. Afterall, ALL of their puppies were raised in the house with the family!?!?! The parents had testing, the dogs were vetted it looked perfect. Obviously it is not - they lie on thier webiste. How can you fight a liar??? There was no indication when they went to meet the breeders that they had more than 2 goldens and one poodle. They were cleverly deceived.