©Bailing Out Benji 2020

All research and information was done by the volunteer team at Bailing Out Benji  and must be cited as such when shared or quoted!

To view the rest of our CVI data, click here. 

When it comes to the puppy mill industry, there is no shortage of “key players” in the game. You have breeders, brokers, transport companies, pet stores and online websites. In this day and age, there is no true way to know where your puppy is coming from unless you visit the facility yourself, or adopt a pet from a local rescue or shelter. 

Unfortunately, the dog breeding business is clouded in secrecy and, unless you know how to ask the right questions, you will constantly be searching for answers. One of the main projects that Bailing Out Benji focuses on is obtaining government documents that track puppies from breeder to broker to pet store, so the public has a fighting chance to do their research before they buy a puppy.

In this case, we have requested those government documents, Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs),  on notorious dog broker Levi Graber of Blue Ribbon Puppies in Odon, Indiana. Graber not only sells puppies to pet stores all over the country, but he was the epicenter of the campylobacter outbreak that was investigated by the Centers for Disease Control. Campylobacter is a zoonotic disease that passes from dogs to humans and can result in hospitalization. You can read more from the CDC here and here.  Blue Ribbon Puppies was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the nation because they were the source of the outbreak. 

To view our puppy mill maps, click here. 

The tricky part with the secretive puppy mill industry is that the CVIs are only needed when a puppy is crossing state lines. So Blue Ribbon Puppies’ name is on those documents when a pet store gets the puppy- and rarely the name of the actual breeder. Customers and the state are rarely informed as to where the puppy actually originated. This is where we come in! Below you will find a list of all of the known facilities that Levi Graber sources from before they broker the puppies to pet stores from coast to coast. ( Please note: we won’t see any of the Indiana breeders that Graber sources from, because CVIs weren’t required for the initial transfer). 

As of right now, we have record of Blue Ribbon Puppies selling to pet stores in the following states: Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Colorado, Maine, Kansas, and Georgia. 

Below you will find a list of Missouri and Iowa breeders and puppy mills that Blue Ribbon Puppies sourced from in  2019 and 2020 organized by state that the puppies originated in. All of this data is backed up by government health records (CVIs) 

To view our interactive website and puppy mill maps, click here. To view our pet store research by state, click here. 

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To view our puppy mill maps, click here. 

Iowa

Levi Graber imported over 4,000 puppies from the state of Iowa in 2019 from the following facilities: 

1. Adin Lambright, Bloomfield Iowa- 23 adult breeding cats and 27 kittens with a history of violations including: cats with eye discharge and swelling of eyes. *regular supplier* 
2. Brian Felton. Centerville, Iowa- 20 adult breeding dogs, 21 puppies. 
3. David and Anna Nisley, Cedar Grove Kennels. Drakesville, Iowa- 22 adult breeding dogs and 33 puppies with a history of violations including: emaciated dogs who are nursing litters without medical attention, use of expired medications. They also change their license number to avoid violations. *major supplier*
4. Chris Kauffman. Moulton, Iowa- 31 adult breeding dogs and 8 puppies with recent violations including: an excessive buildup of feces where the majority of the floors are covered with more than a week’s worth of fecal matter. *major supplier*
5. Marvin and Rosemary Mullet, Clover Ridge Kennel AKA Rosen Mary Kennels.  Corydon, Iowa- 96 adult breeding dogs and 36 puppies. This breeder also cancelled their former license (Rosen Mary Kennels) and started this new one in order to hide their long list of violations including: dogs with cloudy eyes, rusted kennels, expired medications used on dogs, medications not meant for dogs being used on them.  *Major supplier* 
6. Daniel D Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- 11 adult breeding dogs. Yoder changes their USDA license often. *regular supplier*
7. Daniel Kauffman, Dee Kay Bulldogs.  Bloomfield, Iowa- 16 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
8. David D Kauffman, Country Lane Kennels. Moulton, Iowa- 6 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
9. David F/E Lee. Cincinnati, Iowa- 88 adult breeding dogs, 26 puppies. Has operated breeding facilities in at least three states. *major supplier* 
10. David Troyer, Breezy Crest Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 54 adult breeding dogs, 34 puppies.  *major supplier* 
11. Jeremy Rodgers, Daynes Ridge Kennel LLC. Moravia- Iowa- 23 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
12. Eddie and Rosemary Gingerich. Bloomfield, Iowa- 22 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
13. Eli D and Laura Schrock, Hillview Kennels. Drakesville, Iowa- 19 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
14. Edna and Eli W Gingerich. Drakesville, Iowa- 11 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier. 
15. Elias H Mast, Shady Ridge Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa-48 adult breeding dogs, 22 puppies. *major supplier* 
16. Emily DeJong. Moravia, Iowa- 7 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
17. Erwin J Yoder, Yoder Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 39 adult breeding dogs and 17 puppies. *major supplier* 
18. Fred L Borntrager, Clear View Kennel. Seymour, Iowa- 40 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
19. Harley Yoder. Chariton, Iowa- 40 adult breeding dogs and 40 puppies. *major supplier*
20. Henry and Lisa Byler. Seymour, Iowa- 41 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier*
21. Ida Kauffman. Hazleton, Iowa- 18 adult breeding dogs. 
22. James E and Sarah Yoder, Taylor Ridge Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 63 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: using expired medications and having a severe fly problem in their kennels. They operate under two separate licenses. *major supplier* 
23. John Andrew Yoder, Brookside Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 11 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier*
24. Kenneth L Miller, Ramsey Creek Farm. Kalona, Iowa- 44 adult breeding dogs. 
25. Mark Yoder, Acorn Ridge. Bloomfield, Iowa- 53 adult breeding dogs, 32 puppies. *major supplier*
26. Marvin E Yoder. Moulton, Iowa- 22 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
27. Marvin Nisley. Seymour, Iowa- 64 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
28. Melvin G and Mary Yoder. Seymour, Iowa- 46 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
29. Melvin Miller, Windy Knoll Kennel. Cincinnati, Iowa- 37 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
30. Melvin Nisley. Seymour, Iowa- 41 adult breeding dogs and 53 puppies. *regular supplier* 
31. Levi Yoder, Oak Ridge Kennel. Seymour, Iowa- 55 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
32. Samuel and Clara Mast, Howling Hill Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 16 adult breeding dogs and 33 puppies. *major supplier*
33. Vernon Troyer and Joseph Troyer, Shadow Valley LLC AKA Echo Valley Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 93 adult breeding dogs and 45 puppies. *major supplier*
34. Stephen Schrock, Shady Lawn Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 36 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier*
35. Ivan Troyer, Stoney Creek Kennel LLC. Bloomfield, Iowa- 43 adult breeding dogs and 49 puppies. *major supplier*
36. Levi and Esther D Schlabach, That’ll Do Kennel. Seymour, Iowa- 19 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
37. Eli Gingerich, Trail End Acres FKA Midwest Newfoundland LLC. Winterset, Iowa- 35 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier*
38. Larry Yoder and Nelson Yoder, Triple Y Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 30 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
39. Vernon Kauffman. Drakesville, Iowa- 13 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
40. Edwin Stutzman, Walnut Ridge Kennel. Corydon, Iowa- 65 adult breeding dogs. *major supplier* 
41. Aaron Kropf. Lorimor, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
42. Aden Troyer. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
43. Allan Helmuth. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
44. Alta Daniels. Centerville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
45. Andy Nisley. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
46. Ayrand Robinson. Centerville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
47. Dale Troyer. Moulton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.  
48. David E Bontrager. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.   *regular supplier* 
49. David W Bontrager. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
50. David Packnett. Afton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.   *regular supplier* 
51. Elizabeth Schooley. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
52. Enos R Detweiler. Drakesville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
53. Everett and Ryan Miller. Kalona, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier*
54. Firman Miller. Seymour, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
55. Lonnie and Harley Gingerich. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
    
56. Harvey Byler. Seymour, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
57. Howard Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
58. Joel Swartzentruber. Afton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
59. Kenneth Schrock. Drakesville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
60. John D Gingerich. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
61. Justin Yutzy. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
62. Larry Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
63. Marcie Benge. Floris, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
    
64. Margaret Huff. Keosauqua, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
65. Timothy and Marlin and Nathaniel Gingerich. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier*
66. Marvin Mast. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier*
67. Mervin Ezra Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier*
68. Nathan Miller. Pulaski, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
69. Nelson Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
70. Norman Lee Mast. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
71. Norman Nisley. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
72. Orlie Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
73. Patty And Marty Brown. Moravia, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
74. Raymond D Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa-  is an unlicensed breeder.
75. Robert Sommers. Cincinnati, Iowa-  is an unlicensed breeder.
76. Ron and Patty Self. Unionville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
77. Timothy L Gingerich. Drakesville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
78. Wayne and Lucy Gingerich. Seymour, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
79. Wayne and Lucy Gingerich. Seymour, Iowa (different address)- is an unlicensed breeder.
80. Wayne Troyer. Moulton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
81. Wilbur Nisley. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.
82. Will Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder.

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To view our puppy mill maps, click here. 

Missouri

Levi Graber imported over 2500 puppies from the state of Missouri in 2019 from the following facilities:

1. Daniel Yoder, Yoder Kennel. Princeton, Missouri- 159 adult breeding dogs, 90 puppies. *major supplier* 
2. Randall and Sheree Bonnette. Chillicothe, Missouri- 149 adult breeding dogs, 61 puppies. 
3. Pam Wilson. Gallatin, Missouri- 39 adult breeding dogs, 8 puppies. This breeder has skipped her last two inspections and was named one of the worst puppy mills in the nation, twice.  *regular supplier* 
4. Ura Troyer, Countryside Kennel. Bethany, Missouri- 106 adult breeding dogs, 69 puppies. *major supplier* 
5. Betty S Fetters, Fetters Furry Friends. Novinger, Missouri- 123 adult breeding dogs, 78 puppies. *major supplier* 
6. Leroy Yoder. Princeton, Missouri- 78 adult breeding dogs, 70 puppies. *major supplier* 
7. Alvin Jay Mullett, Prairie View Kennels. West Plains, Missouri- 68 adult breeding dogs, 59 puppies. *major supplier* 
8. Rhoda and Stephen Detweiler, Timberline Kennel. Princeton, Missouri- 50 adult breeding dogs, 29 puppies. *major supplier* 
9. Samuel and Rachel Mast. Trenton, Missouri- 40 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies. * major supplier* 
10. Jonathan Detweiler, Shady Oak Frenchies LLC. Princeton, Missouri- 58 adult breeding dogs, 74 puppies. 
11. Sam and Jacob Schwartz, Autumn View Farm. La Plata, Missouri- 38 adult breeding dogs, 19 puppies. Has changed their USDA number at least 5 times. *major supplier* 
12. Chris Gingerich, Falcon Acres. Jamesport, Missouri- 12 adult breeding dogs, 17 puppies. *major supplier* 
13. Dale and Janet Lovland, Loveland Kennel. Macon, Missouri- 17 adult breeding dogs, 6 puppies. * major supplier* 
14. Devon Schlabach, Honey Locust Kennel. Princeton, Missouri- 41 adult breeding dogs, 18 puppies. * major supplier* 
15. Duane Schlabach , Joseph and Leroy Detweiler; Cedar View Kennel AKA Sunset Ridge. Princeton, Missouri- 31 adult breeding dogs, 39 puppies. * major supplier* 
16. Leon and Esther Troyer. Jamesport, Missouri- 66 adult breeding dogs, 15 puppies. * major supplier* 
17. Karli and Sandra Provorse, Phantom Hollow Kennel. Trenton, Missouri- 24 adult breeding dogs, 6 puppies. * major supplier* 
18. Anna Mae Good, Playful Puppies. Rutledge, Missouri- 88 adult breeding dogs, 44 puppies. 
19. Velma and Steven Kurtz. Jamesport, Missouri- 16 adult breeding dogs, 29 puppies. *regular supplier* 
20. Reuben Yutzy, Little Paw Kennels. Jamesport, Missouri- 47 adult breeding dogs, 47 puppies. *regular supplier* 
21. Elmer Bontrager, Bon Acres. Mount Vernon, Missouri- 41 adult breeding dogs, 17 puppies with recent violations including: gaps and holes in the kennel flooring where the dogs’ feet can pass through. 
22. Samuel W Miller, Echo Ridge Kennel. Bethany, Missouri- 35 adult breeding dogs, 15 puppies. 
23. Melvin Yoder, Pondview Kennel LLC. Greentop, Missouri- 28 adult breeding dogs, 22 puppies. *regular supplier* 
24. Jonas L Hostetler. Jamesport, Missouri- 10 adult breeding dogs. *regular supplier* 
25. Kathie Detweiler , Delbert Beechy, Detweilers Dogs. Jamesport, Missouri- 11 adult breeding dogs, 27 puppies. *regular supplier* 
26. Ida Graber and Sue Beechy. Jamesport, Missouri- 8 breeding cats. 
27. Elam and Rachel Bradenburger, Kuntry Pups Kennel LLC. Queen City, Missouri- 39 adult breeding dogs, 27 puppies. 
28. John Troyer. Bethany, Missouri- does not hold a USDA license, is state licensed. 
29. Aaron Hostetler. Jamesport, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
30. Amanda Coffman. Princeton, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder.
31. Ammon Hershberger. Spickard, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
32. Andy Zook. Spickard Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
33. Benjamin Brummit. Unionville, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
34. Bill Johnston AKA Johnathan Bill . Mount Vernon, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
35. Ethan, Raymond and Luanna Yoder. Unionville, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
36. Jerry Stutzman. Spickard, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
37. Jim Foster. Shelbina, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
38. Jonas Hershberger. Spickard, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
39. Justin Horst. Edina, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
40. Katie Hershberger. Spickard, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
41. Kevin Martin. Downing, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder.
42. Mary Ella Burkholder. Baring, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder.
    
43. Michael Hansen. Worthington, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder.
44. Miriam Kramer. Jamesport, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
45. Mose Slabaugh. Spickard, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder. *regular supplier* 
46. Paul Sommers. Unionville, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
47. Randy Craig. Novinger, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
    
48. Ricki Higgins. Greentop, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
49. Rudy and Kathryn Kurtz. Jamesport, Missouri-is an unlicensed breeder.
50. Ruth Hoover. Rutledge, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.
    
51. Toby Hershberger. Spickard, Missouri- is an unlicensed breeder.*regular supplier* 

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Once Levi Graber  (the broker) receives the puppies, they are then resold and transported up to 25 hours in the backs of semis and transport vans to pet stores all over the country. All before the puppy is even 9 weeks old. To view the rest of our pet store research, click here.

To put an end to this cruel industry, we must stop putting money into the pockets of the businesses that are fueling puppy mills. Don’t shop at pet stores that sell puppies and don’t buy a puppy online or through a newspaper without meeting the parents first.

©Bailing Out Benji 2020

All research and information was done by the volunteer team at Bailing Out Benji  and must be cited as such when shared or quoted!

Please consider making a donation to our nonprofit organization to help us continue researching, exposing and fighting the puppy mill industry. 

Follow us on social media and get involved in the fight to #EndPuppyMills !

** To those consumers that have bought a family member from a pet store or a questionable breeder, and are wondering about their actual background -please feel free to fill out the form below with any questions or paperwork that you have and we will confidentially research the breeder your pup came from.