Silver Lining Awakening

Note: Though most USDA-licensed breeders in Wisconsin hold a Class A license, which enables them to sell only animals that are bred/raised on their own premises, Silver Lining Kennel, Inc., in Colfax, WI holds a USDA Class B license, certificate number 35-B-0169. Class B license-holders are essentially "[brokers] whose business includes the purchase and/or resale of any animal," whether bred by the licencee or by others. Reportedly, the owners of Silver Lining Kennel also operate the Pic-A-Pet Plus petstore in Menomonie.

As of 27 September 2011, Silver Lining Kennel and Pic-A-Pet Plus pet stores now also hold Wisconsin license number 268586-DS and have upgraded to become compliant with the minimum Standards of Care specified by Act 90/s.173.41 - WI Dog Sellers Program. These photos and commentary are from June 2008, prior to the passage of Wisconsin Act 90/s.173.41, when Silver Linings was regulated only by the USDA.

       I stumbled upon Silver Lining Kennel while driving on the roads less traveled in Dunn Co WI. A prominent sign at the end of the road caught my eye: "PUPS - BOARDING." Being a dog lover and camera buff, I thought I might take the opportunity to snap some photos and video for my granddaughters. They always enjoyed seeing pictures of 4-legged friends I run into during my country travels.

       My first impression was that this was a very busy boarding kennel. The runways were full of dogs. Then I thought, if this were a boarding kennel, they must be very breed-selective, especially by size. The preponderance of dogs were small species…. Doxies, Pugs, and the small fluffy lap dogs whose names I am not familiar with. I was somewhat amazed by the population number.

       After snapping a batch of pictures, I ventured to another area, which at first I thought was a poultry building. There were wire cages suspended out the sides of the structure and stainless steel catch pans beneath. The cages were in rows, 2 high, with doors to the interior….. all were off the ground. Moving closer, I saw the pups, and realized, "This is another kennel!" Here were pups of the same breeds as the "runway" dogs.

       This is a strange way to provide for young dogs, I found myself thinking. No toys, no food bowls, and no provisions for water evident. The cages were approx 1.5 feet high and 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide. The cage floors were of approx. 1.5" x 1.5" coated wire.

       That is what the pups were huddled on… and not just pups, either. No solid surface for support -- just look at this poor Mama's splayed paws, and can you imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for her to lie down? The piles in the foreground are feces.

For more details about USDA licensing requirements under the Animal Welfare act, please see the USDA/ APHIS Animal Welfare "home" page.

For more details about Wisconsin Act 90/s.173.41, please see: Dog Breeders and Sellers Law, DATCP website.