Maine Pet Store / Puppy Mill Connection

©Bailing Out Benji 2019
All research and information was done by the volunteer team at Bailing Out Benji and must be cited as such when shared or quoted!
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“We don’t buy from puppy mills.”

“All of our puppies come from small, local breeders.”

“We visit every breeder we buy from.”

We have all heard these sentences come from the mouths of pet store owners and their employees. They paint this beautiful picture of puppies running by a pond and parents frolicking in the fresh, green grass… Sadly, 99% of the time that is a bold faced lie. The pet store owners know it, the employees might know it- but the customer is completely in the dark.

This is why we are here.

Bailing Out Benji is a small nonprofit that started in Ames, Iowa and now has volunteer teams all over the country who are dedicated to raising awareness about the puppy mill industry.

So what is the truth? What is the public supposed to believe when the nice store owner and employees paint such a believable and beautiful picture? Again… This is why we are here.

Volunteers from Bailing Out Benji devote their free time to researching puppy mills to create puppy mill maps for the worst states, as well as raise awareness about notorious pet stores and breeding operations with huge violations. This includes obtaining CVI data (Certificates of Veterinary Inspections) and making those reports public.

To make this easier, we will be breaking our article down by each pet store and connecting them to the various puppy mills they use.

This research can be  extremely costly, please consider making a donation to help us continue exposing the puppy mill industry. Every dollar helps us!

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Please keep in mind that these puppies are coming from facilities in the Midwest. That means they are being transported over 20 hours in the back of semis and transport vans before arriving to the pet store cage. 

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Pawz & Clawz Petz- 889 Roosevelt Trail # 2, Windham, ME 04062

  1. Becky Busboom-  Dannebrog, Nebraska. Dog Broker with a history of violations, including using pig medications on puppies. To view which puppy mills Busboom buys from, click here.
  2. Mary Lou Gould, RMG Bulldogs. Pulaski, Iowa- 42 adult breeding dogs
  3. Levi Graber, Blue Ribbon Puppies. Odon,  Indiana– 70 puppies.
  4. John Graber, Loogootee Indiana- unable to verify license. 
  5. Erma Bontrager, Rome City, Indiana- 100 adult breeding dogs. 
  6. David N Stoll, Odon Indiana- unable to verify license. 
  7. Josh and Tara Dillow. Erie, Kansas. – 63 adult breeding dogs.
  8. John Blaes, JB Premier Pets. Cherryvale Kansas- 175 adult breeding dogs with painful wirebottom flooring kennels. To view USDA inspection photos, click here and here. 
  9. Kathy and Delmar Loe, Loe Kennels. Beloit, Kansas-  94 adult breeding dogs. 
  10. Samantha Nivens, Fort Scott Kansas- unable to verify license. 
  11. Justin and LaNae Jackson, Jackson Kennels. Clifton Kansas- 424 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: Excessively thin and ill Vizslas, rusty kennels and broken floors. This breeder has been named as one of the Horrible Hundred puppy mills for several years. To view USDA inspection photos, click here
  12. Marie Doherty, Doherty’s Family Pets. Fulton, Kansas- 276 adult breeding dogs.To view USDA inspection photos of this awful puppy mill, click here.
  13. Cindy and Richard Jensen, Neodesha Kansas- 251 adult breeding dogs, with violations including: dogs standing in pools of water without wind/rain breaks. To view USDA inspection photos of this breeder, click here
  14. Jennifer Rice, Ricenick Kennels. Girard, Kansas-  98 adult breeding dogs.
  15. Troy Wedel, Canterbury Tails Pets. McPherson, Kansas- 304 adult breeding dogs, 148 puppies with a history of violations including: dogs with open lacerations, bent and rusted wires poking into kennels, and dogs with cloudy eyes. To view USDA inspection photos, click here. 
  16. Lewis Bloom, Blooms Kennels. Clay Center, Kansas- 68 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: Missed Inspections, walls and kennel floors covered in grime and feces.
  17. Lorilee Thomas, Puppies Extraordinaire. Whiting, Kansas- 642 adult breeding dogs and 288 puppies with a history of violations including: dogs with hair loss, wires poking into kennels, excessively long toe nails, evidence of mice, etc. To view USDA inspection photos from this kennel, click here. 
  18. Amanda and Greg Pickett, Pickett’s Puppies.  Longton Kansas- 31 adult breeding dogs. 
  19. Edgar and Roma Randall  (Roma Patterson) , Oakledge Kennel. Havana Kansas- 29 adult breeding dogs. 
  20. Tammy Spears, Spears Kennel AKA Land of Oz Kennel. Osborne, Kansas- 42 adult breeding dogs with a history of missing inspections. 
  21. Jenina Fortner, Paws-N-Claws. Abilene, Kansas- 47 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: using expired medications, incomplete program of vet  care, excessive dirt/grease/grime on walls,  accumulation of hair, dust, cobwebs in kennels. To view USDA inspection photos, click here. 
  22. Mary Mumbower, Salina Kansas- unable to access records 
  23. Brenda Callen, Waggletails Kennels- 46 dogs
  24. Cindy Clausen and Lacey Kauffman, Lindley Creek Kennel. Portis, Kansas- 99 adult breeding dogs. 
  25. Bob Mackey, TLC Breeds- Sayre Oklahoma- 203 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including:  rodent droppings and urine accumulating in kennels. 
  26. Tom and Margie Phillips, Margie’s Pets.  Hominy, Oklahoma- 59 adult breeding dogs. 
  27. Brett Bonham, Calvary Creek Kennels. Cordell, Oklahoma – 216 adult breeding dogs and 83 puppies with a history of violations including: pug with eye that is cloudy and blue in appearance; No program of vet care; Open wounds with flies on them; Inaccurate records; Cysts between toes; Swollen feet; Dogs heavily infested with ticks; Cloudy eyes and pupil barely visible. This breeder was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the entire country… Twice. 
  28. Becky and Guy Franks, First Class Puppies, Antlers Oklahoma- No Longer USDA licensed (as far as we can tell!) This breeder has a long list of violations including: dogs without identification, dogs with eye injuries/illnesses. The conditions were so bad the licensee stopped the inspection and wanted to cancel the license right there. To view USDA photos, click here. This breeder was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the country. 
  29. Teresa Follin. Sallisaw, Oklahoma- 62 adult breeding dogs. 
  30. Wanda Luark,  Luv & Kare Kennel.  Duncan, Oklahoma- 68 adult breeding dogs. Based on photos from their own website, you can see that the Luark Family runs a puppy mill. 
  31. Holly Burch, Cordell Oklahoma- 28 adult breeding dogs.
  32. Robert and Starmye Halpain, Halpain’s Kennel. Hulbert, Oklahoma- 91 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: excessive accumulation of feces in cages and in washdown below the runs. To view undercover footage of this puppy mill, click here.
  33. Danny and Kristine Schrock, Coalgate Oklahoma- unable to access records. 
  34. Pam Holden, Spiro Oklahoma- unable to access records. 
  35. Alicia Cummings, Miami Oklahoma- unable to access records. 
  36. Melissa Bacon, Boswell, Oklahoma- 91 adult breeding dogs, with a history of not providing proper housing for her outdoor dogs. To view USDA inspection photos, click here. 
  37. Sandra Balentine, Balentine’s Kennels. Mountainview Arkansas- 135 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: dogs with swelling and lesions on paws, not examined by vet, dogs with eye disease also not examined by vet ; dogs with dental disease, not examined by vet, dogs with excessively long toenails curling into pad,  dogs with matted hair, dogs in kennels that are too small, rusted metal with sharp edges in housing, enclosures in disrepair,  buildup of  grime on doors, fly infestation.
  38. Barbara Forst, Booneville Arkansas- 9 adult dogs, 63 puppies. 
  39. William D, David and Ann M Remy, Remy Kennel. Booneville, Arkansas- 103 adult breeding dogs. 
  40. Dorothy (Dee) O’Bar, Booneville Arkansas- unable to access dog count. 
  41. Dwayne Garner, Booneville, Arkansas- 40 adult breeding dogs
  42. James Blaylock, Fort Smith Arkansas- unable to access dogs. 
  43. Beverly Fox, Lucky 13 Kennel. Ozark, Arkansas- 101 dogs 
  44. Jesus Morfin, Berryville Arkansas- over 285 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: Dogs with dental disease, dogs not examined by vet.
  45. Vanessa Watts, Rock Springs Kennel. Leslie, Arkansas- 120 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: dogs with eye disease that haven’t been seen by a vet. 
  46. Gary and Sharon Willis, Sharon’s Kennels. Mansfield Arkansas- 43 adult breeding dogs. 
  47. Chester and Mildred Miles, Luv N Pets. Berryville, Arkansas- 258 adult breeding dogs, with a history of violations including: multiple animals with health issues (large hair loss, puppy with skin condition, green matter on teeth, cloudy eyes with green matter)
  48. Dawn Coffman, Misty Trail Kennels. Maynard, Arkansas- 208 adult breeding dogs
  49. Josh Garber, Bradford Ohio- 17 adult dogs
  50. Kasey and Max Ellison,  4E’s Puppies. Purdy, Missouri- cannot access records. 
  51. Peggy Smalley, Show me Labs. Lamar, Missouri- (CVI is barely legible, unable to access records) 
  52. Deborah Warren, Misty Dew Kennels. Pierce City, Missouri- 144 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: dogs with severe accumulation of dental disease and excessively long toenails. To view USDA inspection photos click hereThis breeder was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the nation. 
  53. Robert and Esther Pointer, Shoal Creek Kennels DBA Shoal Creek Puppies. Exeter, Missouri- 96 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: Flies all over the nursing mother dogs and puppies, excessive feces in the kennels.
  54. Kallie and Josh Bateman, “Bateman Diversified”, Puppy Travelers Transport. Neosho, Missouri- This company transports puppies to Florida under many different names and they were recently named one of the worst puppy mills in the country due to their transport practices. In February 2018, 24 puppies were seized from a Puppy Travelers transport van outside a Petland store in Fort Myers, Florida. The puppies were found with “urine, feces and no water” in their cages, according to news sources, and many of them were sick. This transporter was named one of the worst puppy mills in the nation. To view the entire report, click here.
  55. Stacy and Donald Jones, Sassys Classy Canines, Lebanon Missouri- 54 adult breeding dogs, with a history of violations including: keeping dogs in metal boxes with no insulation, excessive weeds, uncovered dog food, dogs with eye conditions, medications not meant to be used for dogs, puppies with no vet care. To view USDA photos, click here.
  56. Clinton and Marlene Michel, Iron Bridge Road Farm. Long Lane, Missouri- 88 adult breeding dogs. 
  57. Rachel, Vicki and Virgel Davis , Davis Kennel. Seymour, Missouri- 32 adult breeding dogs, 77 puppies with a history of violations including: dead and frozen dogs on the property, frozen water in bowls all over facility, dogs without veterinary care. This facility was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the country. 
  58. Kathy Brown, Novinger Missouri- 184 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: wet and muddy dogs, dogs standing in water, inadequate shelter for dogs, surfaces covered in algae, and dirty water/food receptacles. To view USDA inspection photos, click here.
  59. Darlene Whitman,O My Heart Kennel. Mountain Grove Missouri- 112 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: evidence of dogs getting powerwashed, use of expired medications, cold kennels. To view USDA inspection photos, click here.
  60. Keith and Wanda Simler, Simler’s Kennel. Kirksville, Missouri- 123 adult breeding dogs.To view undercover footage of this puppy mill, click here. 
  61. Jeffrey and Judy Gray, Gray’s Precious Puppies AKA LuvDGPuppies Rothville, Missouri- 103 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations including: dogs with severe dental issues, wire cage bottoms so wide that the feet pass through, too small of kennels, dogs with eye issues. To view USDA inspection photos of this kennel, click here.  This breeder has also been named one of the worst puppy mills in the country several times. 
  62. Phil Hoover, Show Me Puppies.  Memphis, Missouri- 364 adult breeding dogs.
  63. Herman (Tony) Schindler, QD Kennels, Frankford Missouri- 133 puppies. 
  64. Jo Ann, Ruth and Ron Shadow,  J&M Kennels. Iberia, Missouri.  87 adult breeding dogs. 
  65. Sandy and Robert Rash, Rash’s Rotten Kennels. El Dorado Springs, Missouri- 38 adult breeding dogs. 
  66. Judy Green, Draper Hill Kennel. Lebanon Missouri.  – 14 adult breeding dogs. To view USDA inspection photos, click here.
  67. Fran and Jim Straight, Fran’s Kontry Kittens. Lebanon, Missouri- 33 adult breeding cats
  68.  Bunny Trembler, Niangua Missouri- 34 adult cats
  69. Jonas L and Laura Borntrager, J&L Kennel. Madison, Missouri- 11 dogs 
  70. Leann Terrill, Seymour Missouri- unable to access records.
  71. Jeff Conger, King James Kennel. Willow Springs, Missouri- 68 adult breeding dogs . 
  72. Keith and Anna Harris, Ripley Missouri- 16 dogs 
  73. Dorothy and Leonard Audsley. Carrollton, Missouri- 55 adult breeding dogs. 
  74. Kevin Street, Bowling Green, Missouri- 7 adult breeding dogs. 
  75. Joni T Petersheim, Clark Missouri- unable to access records. 
  76. Jose Ibarra, Monett Missouri- unable to access records. 
  77. Sheila Bealmer, Sheila’s Kute Kanines. Atlanta Missouri- 239 dogs. 
  78. Pinnacle Pet, Neosho Missouri- 353 Puppies. 
  79. Caroline Schulte, Tornado Alles Kennel.  Freeburg, Missouri- 124 adult breeding dogs, 100 puppies at the time of last inspection with a history of violations including: Heavily matted eyes; When mats were removed dog squints and blinks. Eye is red; No bedding for outdoor shelter.
  80. Candy Fields, Green City Missouri- 39 adult breeding dogs. 
  81. Deborah and Mike Hubbard, Mike’s Brokerage. Sparta, Missouri- 22 puppies, with violations including: kennels are too small for number of puppies in them, dogs without health certificates, dogs without any identification. 
  82. Edna and Elmer Troyer, Clark Missouri- 50 adult breeding dogs. 
  83. Jim and Pam Stewart, Sunnyview Kennel. Lebanon, Missouri – 93 adult breeding dogs. To view USDA inspection photos of this puppy mill, click here. 
  84. Tina and Brandon Hough, Osceola Missouri- 63 adult breeding dogs (also breeds a lot of other species of animals)
  85. Scott and Ashley Harper, Lazy H Farms. Caulfield, Missouri- 135 adult breeding dogs
  86. Daphne Morrow, Morrow Pet Transport AKA Little Minions Transport. Neosho, Missouri- transport company that operates under two names. 

** We are still compiling data on the pet stores in Maine** 

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For more ways you can help the dogs trapped in puppy mills, click here.

For more information, please visit our main facebook page Bailing Out Benji . We also have educational materials that you can print to hang up in your own area.

©Bailing Out Benji 2019

** To those consumers that have bought a family member from any of the area puppy stores, 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**