More than 1100 dogs and puppies
were spared continued misery in the largest puppy mill in Wisconsin by
Wisconsin Humane Society's 2008 purchase of Puppy Haven Kennel.
In a press conference on July 18,
2008, the WHS announced that it had purchased the assets of Puppy Haven Kennel
in Greene Lake Co., WI. Former owner Wallace Havens said he wished to retire;
he sold the dogs and the equipment used in his breeding operation but not the
20 acres of land the kennel occupied.
The more than 1100 dogs included
in the purchase will all be spayed and neutered before being released for
adoption. Many of the dogs will also need extensive dental work and
socialiazation before they can be placed in their new homes.
Reportedly, the
"equipment," including kennels and whelping pens, were demolished.
Many are ambivalent about the
purchase of a puppy mill by a humane organization. While very happy that over a
thousand dogs were freed from a life of misery, some feared that a bad
precedent was set and questioned what impact the influx of these dogs would
have on funding for and adoption at shelters overburdened with owner surrenders
due to the economy.
One comment on the Wisconsin
State Journal story also asked if there were any "specific language in
this sale that prohibits this land from ever being used again for the breeding
of dogs."
Although we had some reservations
about the manner in which Mr. Havens "retired," we were EXTREMELY
happy for the hundreds of dogs that now had a chance at a life outside the
walls and cages of Puppy Haven!
 A Message from Bentley (pictured
above)
|
