Michigan Puppy Store Sourcing

©Bailing Out Benji 2021
All research and information was done by the volunteer team at Bailing Out Benji and therefore must be cited as such when shared or quoted.

 

To view the rest of our research, click here. 

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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 false. 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. We are all committed to raising awareness about the puppy mill issue, particularly the connection to pet stores. 

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.

NOTE:

-Before an animal is transported out of state, a veterinarian, accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), must examine the animal for signs of “infectious, contagious or communicable disease” and, if no disease is found, sign the certificate for approval to transport.

To make this easier, we will be breaking our research down alphabetically by each pet store and connecting them to the various facilities they use. All of this information has come from the Department of Agriculture and the USDA. All of the breeders listed as associated with the pet stores sold puppies or kittens to them in the years 2021, 2020, and 2019.

We are a small nonprofit organization that makes big changes with very few resources. Our research is used by the leading animal welfare organizations across the country, because what we do is so unique and important. 

 To make a one time donation or to sign up to be a sustaining supporter to allow us to continue our various programs that expose the puppy mill industry, click the donate button below

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The Barking Boutique- 2939 Wilson Ave SW Suite 104, Grandville, MI 49418

 

  1. Aaron Bontrager. Millersburg, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  2. Allan Helmuth. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  3. Ayrand Robinson. Centerville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  4. David and Anna Nisley, Cedar Grove Kennels. Drakesville, Iowa- 51 adult breeding dogs and 20 puppies.
  5. Marvin and Rosemary Mullet, Clover Ridge Kennel AKA Rosen Mary Kennels.  Corydon, Iowa- 75 adult breeding dogs and 51 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. 
  6. Dale Troyer. Moulton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder but illegally sells to pet stores across the country. 
  7. Daniel D Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- 11 adult breeding dogs. 
  8. Daniel Kauffman, Dee Kay Bulldogs. Bloomfield, Iowa- 16 adult breeding dogs and 18 puppies. 
  9. David E Lee. Cincinnati, Iowa- 76 adult breeding dogs and 32 puppies. 
  10. David Kauffman. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  11. David Troyer, Breezy Crest Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 54 adult breeding dogs and 24 puppies. 
  12. Jeremy Rodgers, Daynes Ridge Kennel. 19 adult breeding dogs and 5 puppies. 
  13. Dennis Yoder. Shipshewana, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  14. Doris Slabaugh. Millersburg, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  15. Eddie Gingerich and Rosemary Gingerich, E and R bulldogs. Bloomfield, Iowa- 22 adult breeding dogs. 
  16. Eli D Schrock and Laura Schrock, Hillview Kennels. Drakesville, Iowa- 21 adult breeding dogs and 24 puppies. 
  17. Elias H Mast, Shady Ridge Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 46 adult breeding dogs. 
  18. Enos Detweiler. Drakesville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder that illegally sells puppies to pet stores across the country. 
  19. Erwin Jay Yoder, Yoder Kennel. Bloomfield, Iowa- 28 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies. 
  20. Eugene Yoder. Goshen, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  21. Glendon Yoder, Paw Print Kennels. Shipshewana, Indiana- 46 adult breeding dogs and 73 puppies. 
  22. Harley Yoder. Chariton, Iowa- 40 adult breeding dogs and 58 puppies. 
  23. Henry Byler and Lisa Byler. Seymour, Iowa- 40 adult breeding dogs and 19 puppies. 
  24. Jacob Schwartz. Geneva, Indiana- 21 adult breeding dogs. 
  25. Jacob Yoder. Lagrange, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  26. James E Yoder and Sarah Yoder, Taylor Ridge Kennel. Bloomfield, Iowa- 66 adult breeding dogs and 46 puppies. 
  27. James Mast. Wesley, Arkansas- 23 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies. 
  28. James Otto. Hillsboro, Wisconsin- 52 adult breeding dogs and 28 puppies. 
  29. John Andrew Yoder, Brookside Kennel. Bloomfield, Iowa- 16 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies. 
  30. John Bontrager Jr. Dalton, Wisconsin- 72 adult breeding dogs and 31 puppies. This facility was named one of the worst puppy mills in the country after receiving an official warning from the state of Wisconsin due to matted dogs; unsanitary conditions; dogs needing severe dental work; and feces in part of the kennel that had not been cleaned in a week.
  31. Kenneth Schrock. Drakesville, Iowa- not licensed by the state or USDA yet sells to pet stores across the country through a broker. 
  32. Lavern Stutzman. Chili, Wisconsin- 39 adult breeding dogs and 42 puppies. 
  33. Lonnie Lambright. Shipshewana, Indiana- 10 adult breeding dogs and 10 puppies. 
  34. Marcie Benge. Floris, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  35. Mark Yoder, Acorn Ridge. Bloomfield, Iowa- 63 adult breeding dogs and 112 puppies.
  36. Marvin Nisley. Seymour, Iowa- 64 adult breeding dogs and 34 puppies with a history of violations pertaining to the health of the animals in his care.
  37. Melvin Yoder and Mary Yoder. Seymour, Iowa- 41 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies.
  38. Melvin Miller, Windy Knoll Kennel. Cincinnati, Iowa- 37 adult breeding dogs.
  39. Mervin E Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder that illegally sells puppies to pet stores across the country. 
  40. Monroe Herschberger. Bloomfield, Iowa- 13 adult breeding dogs and 9 puppies. 
  41. Nelson Yoder. Millersburg, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  42. Levi Yoder, Oak Ridge Kennel. Seymour, Iowa- 56 adult breeding dogs and 39 puppies. 
  43. Orlie Yoder. Bloomfield, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder that illegally sells puppies to pet stores across the country. 
  44. Patty and Marty Brown. Moravia, Iowa-  is an unlicensed breeder that illegally sells puppies to pet stores across the country. 
  45. Ralph Bontrager. Middlebury, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  46. Raymond Miller. Middlebury, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  47. Ron Self. Unionville, Iowa-  is an unlicensed breeder that illegally sells puppies to pet stores across the country. 
  48. Rosa Zehr. Grabill, Indiana- This facility is/was licensed by the USDA, their history is complicated. After receiving two teachable moments under one license in 2018, they cancelled and got another. In 2020, Zehr cancelled this new license after receiving a violation for not showing up for an inspection. Now there is a third license at the exact same address under a different name: “Amanda Eicher, Rhoda Graber and Aimee Graber, Dutch Creek Kennel”.
  49. Vernon Troyer and Joseph Troyer, Shadow Valley Kennels AKA Echo Valley Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa-85 adult breeding dogs and 39 puppies. 
  50. Stephen Schrock, Shady Lawn Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 47 adult breeding dogs and 20 puppies.
  51. Ivan Troyer, Stoney Creek Kennel. Bloomfield, Iowa- 41 adult breeding dogs and 27 puppies. 
  52. Atlee Yoder, Sunset View Kennels. Hillpoint, Wisconsin- 76 adult breeding dogs and 55 puppies.
  53. Levi Schlabach and Esther D Schlabach, That’ll Do Kennel. Seymour, Iowa- 18 adult breeding dogs. 
  54. Timothy Gingerich. Drakesville, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  55. Eli Gingerich, Trail End Acres AKA Midwest Newfoundland LLC. Winterset, Iowa- 44 adult breeding dogs and 27 puppies. 
  56. Larry Yoder and Nelson Yoder, Triple Y Kennels. Bloomfield, Iowa- 31 adult breeding dogs and 23 puppies. 
  57. Verlin Miller. Goshen, Indiana- 48 adult breeding dogs and 26 puppies.
  58. Vernon Kauffman. Drakesville, Iowa- 13 adult breeding dogs.
  59. Edwin Stutzman, Walnut Ridge Kennel. Corydon, Iowa- 73 adult breeding dogs and 28 puppies. 
  60. Wayne Gingerich and Lucy Gingerich. Seymour, Iowa- 17 adult breeding dogs. 
  61. Wayne Troyer. Moulton, Iowa- is an unlicensed breeder. 
  62. Wilbur and Regina Nisley, Majestic View Kennel. Bloomfield, Iowa- 54 adult breeding dogs and 30 puppies. 

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House of Pets- 29500 Ford Rd, Garden City, MI 48135

  1. Sharon Monk, BJ’s & Guys. Menlo, Kansas- 641 adult breeding dogs, 279 puppies.  They were also named one of the worst puppy mills in the entire country .

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The Family Puppy of Fountain Walk- 44125 West 12 Mile Road E-121, Novi, MI 48377

  1. Enos Mullett Jr,  J&W Kennels AKA Clinton Kennels. Goshen (Wolcottville) , Indiana- 47 adult breeding dogs and 27 puppies. 
  2. Ernest Yoder, Misty Meadows Kennel. Topeka, Indiana-  100 adult breeding dogs and 70 puppies. 
  3. James Yoder and Kari Yoder, Pigeon River Huskies. Shipshewana, Indiana- 25 adult breeding dogs and 33 puppies.
  4. Merle Miller. Middlebury, Indiana- 21 adult breeding dogs and 16 puppies.
  5. Myron J Hochstetler. Shipshewana, Indiana- 70 adult breeding dogs and 38 puppies. 
  6. Norman Schmucker, Sandy Acres kennel. Lagrange, Indiana- 7 adult breeding dogs and 8 puppies. 
  7. Roy Schlabach, Shipshewana Enterprise. Shipshewana, Indiana- 18 adult breeding dogs. 
  8. Steve Lehman. Middlebury, Indiana- doesn’t appear to be licensed. 
  9. Verlyn Weaver, Morning Star Kennel. Topeka, Indiana- 26 adult breeding dogs and 14 puppies. 

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Petland Novi- 27200 Novi Rd, Novi, MI 48377

  1. Debra Pratt Hakuna Matata Transport, New Sharon Iowa- Where to even begin with this transport company. In 2013, Pratt received so many violations from the USDA because the animals in her care were suffering and were in need of urgent veterinary care, including several dogs with red, swollen and bulging eyes, an untreated mass, indications of severe dental disease, and an English Bulldog with missing fur, red skin, and “scabs covering the majority of the ears and the top of the head.” Pratt also refused to allow USDA inspectors on her property five different times in 2013. This left inspectors unable to check on the safety and welfare of approximately 185 dogs and puppies held in the kennel Pratt lost her Iowa state license to breed, and chose to auction off all of her sick dogs to other puppy mills. She currently holds a USDA license for transporting. Pratt was also cited as a transporter for not having the proper paperwork for puppies she was transporting. At that time, she had 122 puppies in her care. 
  2. Adrian Coblentz. Montgomery, indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  3. Andy C Raber and Andy Gordon, Hilltop Kennel. Baltic, Ohio- 75 adult breeding dogs and 39 puppies. 
  4. Christen Yoder. Montgomery, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  5. Darrell Knepp, Silky Pets LLC. Montgomery, Indiana- 23 adult breeding dogs. 
  6. Darrel Wagler and Marlene Wagler, M&D Kennel. Loogootee, Indiana- 16 adult breeding dogs. 
  7. Darvin Graber. Odon, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  8. David J Graber. Odon, Indiana- 45 adult breeding dogs and 49 puppies. This facility was also named one of the worst puppy mills in the country in 2020. 
  9. Joseph D Graber, Dusty Road Kennel LLC. Odon, Indiana- 148 adult breeding dogs and 77 puppies. 
  10. Erma M Bontrager. Rome City, Indiana- 98 adult breeding dogs and 90 puppies.
  11. Henry A Wagler. Loogootee, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  12. Mike West and Sharon West, Hillside Kennels. Unionville, Iowa- 61 adult breeding dogs and 27 puppies. 
  13. Ivan Graber and Emma Graber, IG Playful Puppies. Grabill, Indiana- 10 adult breeding dogs. 
  14. Jeremy Raber. Montgomery, Indiana- 16 adult breeding dogs and 28 puppies. 
  15. Joel Graber, Country Kennels LLC. Montgomery, Indiana- 52 adult breeding dogs and 14 puppies. 
  16. John Knepp, James Knepp, Mary Jane Knepp. Loogootee, Indiana- 50 adult breeding dogs and 40 puppies. 
  17. Jonathan Raber. Loogootee, Indiana-  32 adult breeding dogs and 60 puppies. 
  18. Lester Raber, Cedar Valley Puppies Llc. Odon, Indiana- 35 adult breeding dogs and 39 puppies. 
  19. Lester Dean Knepp. Loogootee, Indiana- 13 adult breeding dogs and 7 puppies. 
  20. Joseph Knepp, Lovable Gold Star Puppies. Odon, Indiana- puppy broker. 
  21. Marilyn Graber and Darrell M Graber, Roses Cuddly Canines AKA Walnut Ridge Cuddly Canines LLC. Bloomfield, Indiana- 90 adult breeding dogs with a history of violations. 
  22. Marlin Raber. Odon, Indiana-  14 adult breeding dogs.
  23. Martin Bontrager. Topeka, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  24. Martin Graber, Hickory Valley Pets LLC. Odon, Indiana- 117 adult breeding dogs and 98 puppies. 
  25. Menno Graber. Montgomery, Indiana- appears to be an unlicensed breeder. 
  26. Philip Graber. Odon, indiana- 36 adult breeding dogs and 56 puppies. 
  27. Preferred Canines. Fresno, Ohio- Large puppy broker in Ohio.
  28. John Henry Wittmer, Shady Lane Kennels LLC AKA Shadyland Kennels. Odon, Indiana- 42 adult breeding dogs and 20 puppies. 
  29. Steve Raber and Laura Raber. Montgomery, Indiana- 33 adult breeding dogs and 42 puppies. 
  30. Sue Shold and Daniel Shold, Sudanco Kennel. Albert City, Iowa- 22 adult breeding dogs and 20 puppies. 

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Westland Dog Food Company- 7672, 37687 Ford Rd, Westland, MI 48185

  1. Dawn Coffman, Misty Trail Kennels. Maynard, Arkansas- 195 adult breeding dogs and 65 puppies.
  2. Larry Crowley and Debra Crowley. Ellsinore, Missouri- 90 adult breeding dogs and 54 puppies. 
  3. Brian Mohrfield, Select Puppies AKA Lucky Puppies Co. West Point, Iowa- 441 puppies. Mohrfield also owns Choice Puppies (another broker) out of Goodman, Missouri.

*Please note* We do not receive documents about the Michigan breeders these stores might source from, since CVIs are not needed unless animals cross state lines. Since the stores also source from brokers, there are likely many more breeders supplying puppies through them. 

If you bought a puppy from a pet store and want to know more about its origins, please fill out the form below.  

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

We also have educational materials that you can print to hang up in your own area.

 

©Bailing Out Benji 2021

All research and information was done by Bailing Out Benji

and must be cited as such when shared or quoted

 

If you are wondering where your puppy was born, please contact us through the form below. All requests for information will remain confidential.

 
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