When looking to get a new puppy (or pet!) it is so easy to get swept up in the excitement of finding the perfect furry friend. Because of the vast nature of the internet, it is easier than ever to search for exactly who you want and get them delivered to you quickly. Scroll through a few websites, check out who everyone has, then place your order! The internet has revolutionized the pet acquisition process- – but not necessarily in the best way.
Unfortunately, shopping online is often the quickest way to support an inhumane breeding facility. Because not all breeders operate with the best intentions or ethical practices, websites can make it extremely easy to deceive a potential puppy buyer into thinking they are supporting a humane facility while withholding important facts.
One alarming case we’ve discovered involves one person who is selling puppies through at least 10 different websites, giving the impression of being a small, specialized breeder. With just a quick Google search of the phone number provided on these websites, a very different picture emerged.
Cane Corsos. Golden Retrievers. Havanese. Boston Terriers. Labradors. Boxers. Schnauzers. Each website has been set up to be breed specific and appeared to be small operations, but one phone number linked them all to the same person.
John Kowal is licensed in New York as Blue Ribbon Puppies (NY 1228) and currently does not hold a USDA license. At the time of their last NY state inspection on 6/18/2024, this facility only had 12 dogs greater than 4 months and 20 dogs less than 4 months. Just one week prior, this facility received a critical violation pertaining to primary enclosures, a critical violation pertaining to attending veterinary protocol, and a critical violation for not providing whelping boxes for pregnant or nursing dogs. On this day, they also received a general violation for not removing excess waste in outdoor runs.
This facility also received general violations during their 2023 inspection pertaining to CVIs and general record keeping. CVIs are health records from a veterinarian that show an animal is healthy enough to cross state lines.
Beyond the violations depicted, a major red flag that our nonprofit has spotted is the low number of adult dogs compared to the sheer number of breeds they are offering for sale. This is often a sign of a broker- someone who buys and resells puppies. If you are participating in puppy brokering, you should have a USDA license.
Through our CVI research, we were quickly able to determine that Kowal has been importing puppies from at least a dozen out-of-state dog breeders for the last few years- presumably to resell them through his websites. This evidence resulted in us filing a complaint with the USDA in January of 2025 in order for them to investigate this facility for operating without a valid license.
We are unsure if the USDA will follow up on our concerns.
Below is an example of how easy it is for a breeder to attempt to hide their identity from the public.
This is a screenshot from one of Kowal’s websites showing that they not only have a “no puppy mill promise” and have AKC designation, but they make no mention that the puppies they sell might not have been bred by this facility. Please note: we have CVIs showing that Boston Terriers puppies, specifically, have been imported by this facility from out of state breeders.
Kowal also neglects to disclose that his facility is state licensed and inspected.
This is just one example of how puppy mills and subpar breeding facilities can manipulate websites in order to portray themselves as more reputable. All of this highlights the importance of thoroughly researching any breeder before committing to buy a puppy.
Do not take someone’s word for it. Do your research before you buy.
While not everyone can be a sleuth, nor do they have access to all of the information we do, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure you aren’t falling for a scam or supporting an inhumane facility.
In order to avoid buying from puppy mills, we always suggest that the families:
– Research the breeder! Ask how you can publicly view or request the most recent state or USDA inspection reports (including dog counts); look for online reviews; and do a quick search of that phone number (or their name/kennel name!)
– Ask what genetic health tests the parent dogs have received to ensure that the puppies are healthy and won’t have genetic issues pop up later on in life.
– Ask the breeder what their rehoming plan is! When are the adult dogs retired from breeding and where do they go afterwards?
– Avoid pet stores and online brokering websites, especially when they don’t provide the breeder information to you ahead of time. The ability to do your own research before you buy is the only way you can be sure you aren’t buying from a puppy mill.
– Show me the Mommy! This is a phrase that we coined years ago in order to promote meeting your breeder in person and seeing how the dogs are raised. When you are buying a puppy from a local breeder, this avoids any shipping or cross-country transports and makes it easier for you to make sure you are comfortable with the breeding practices that are currently going on.
You can view our tips on how to find a responsible breeder here.
Supporting unethical breeders not only puts your future pet at risk of health and behavioral issues but also perpetuates cruel practices. By taking the time to research thoroughly, you can ensure that your money supports a humane and responsible breeding program while bringing home a healthy, happy puppy.
If you’re unsure about a breeder or want assistance verifying their credentials, Bailing Out Benji is here to help. Reach out to learn more about ethical breeders, adoption options, and how to avoid supporting puppy mills.
Please note: While we wish that everyone would adopt their next puppy (and strongly encourage families to look into their local rescues and shelters for their next pet!) we know that not everyone is going to follow that path. Because consumers are funding this industry through their purchases, it is up to us to make sure they avoid giving money to places with unethical breeding or sales practices so they might someday cease to exist.
Bailing Out Benji is a nonprofit organization that is focused on ending puppy mill cruelty through research, advocacy, and education. When you donate to our organization you are helping us expose the industry in order to create lasting change for animals and the people who love them!
If this information was helpful to you, please consider making a donation to support our unique and important research.