Fwd: UPDATE/ACTION ALERT: Vicki Patterson (NJ); Rescues buying, selling puppy mill puppies

[Guest guest]

 

 

 

 

Dear Companion Pet Lovers:

 

We invite you to scroll down and read two important "Action Alerts" issued by Libby Williams of NJCAPSA....

 

VICKI PATTERSON. 

 

As many of you may recall, this "rescue" has been operating like your run-of-the-mill pet store.  This past June, it was confirmed in a conversation with the commercial kennel owner that most of the purebred puppies which were listed on Vicki's now-defunct NJ Collie Rescue's PetFinder website (under the name New Jersey Collie Rescue & Referral) were purchased from the MO breeder whose kennel name was superimposed on some of the pictures.   In fact, the breeder stated she was under the impression that Vicki was a pet shop owner when she purchased the 12-14 week old puppies at prices "far less than the usual advertised prices" of $200 found on the website.   Vicki not only demanded cash only for her "special rescue rates" of $500 to $745, but she also stated the puppies were "saved from auction".

 

RESCUES BUYING AND SELLING PUPPY MILL PUPPIES.   

 

BanOhioDogAuctions.com has obtained credible evidence confirming the identity of the group (referenced in Libby's message below) to be a non-profit, all volunteer-based animal rescue organization located in Mercer County, New Jersey..   

 

Sadly, the trend of individuals and groups paying pet stores and/or "commercial" breeders broker fees for young, purebred/designer breed dogs and adopting them under the guise of "rescue" (in many instances, at fees $350 and higher) has become an increasing concern for many consumers interested in adopting a homeless companion.  For a great many and growing number of rescue groups, the issue comes down to this: nobody likes putting money in the puppy millers' pockets.  As expressed by Jenny Gerritse, of Hearts United for Animals, based in Auburn, Nebraska. "We felt very strongly from the beginning that we didn't want to give them [puppy mill breeders] money and help them stay in

business." 

 

In response to this trend, BanOhioDogAuctions.com will continue working with legal counsel, as well as several national animal advocacy groups, to help fund more undercover investigations of puppy mills and the entities (to include dog auctions and "pet shop" rescues) that support and keep them in business.  And of course, this group will continue pressuring our elected state officials, as well as local county commissioners, to support a ban on Ohio dog auctions. 

 

Again, I greatly appreciate all the letters of support and encouragement received from animal advocates across the country.  Thanks for continuing to serve as a strong voice for the animals!

 

Mary O'Connor-Shaver

Cell: 614-271-8248

Columbus Top Dogs (Shure Pets)

http://www.columbustopdogs.com/

http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/

http://thoughtsfurpaws.com/

 

LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/

 

I donate ALL profits from the sale of our premium products and accessories to local animal protection groups!

 

P.S. You or someone you know has requested you be added to the Columbus Top Dogs email list. If you do not want to receive emails from columbustopdogs.com, please reply and put "remove from list" in subject. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

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Vicki Patterson update; Rescues buying, selling puppy mill

puppies

"Libby Williams" <libbywill

Sat, November 01, 2008 7:28 pm

 

 

 

 

Two alerts  - permission to cross post

 

Vicki Patterson, formerly known as NJ Collie Rescue and Purebred Puppy Rescue, has resurfaced under a new name and website, Adopt a Purebred Puppy, where she continues brokering puppies for resale. 

 

Last June, it was brought to our attention via a consumer complaint that Patterson was selling dogs under her rescue at the time, NJ Collie Rescue. When she was discovered actually brokering older puppies from K-Jac Kennels in Missouri (a USDA-licensed commercial kennel) and posting them on PetFinder, we reported our findings and she was removed from PetFinder.  Patterson changed her ¡rescue' name to Purebred Puppy Rescue but she is now operating under Adopt A Purebred Puppy(http://adoptapurebredpuppy.com/1.html)

 

From her website:

 

"Purebreed puppies need families too!

 

Due to our country-wide economic changes, a new phenomenon has arisen in the dog world, called, breeder surplus puppies, meaning simply, too many purebred puppies born and not enough people to buy/purchase/adopt them. Most hard hit are the breeders from the mid-west. These breeder surplus puppies ARE NOT rejects, they are healthy, gorgeous puppies, however the breeders have no outlet for them so consequently, they dump them at shelters, or sell them at auctions. . . a fate worse than death. We know we can find homes for them in the Tri-State area so we decided to step up and bring them here for you and your family to enjoy."

 

So-called adoption fees are still an exorbitant $450 and Patterson doesn't fully guarantee the health of the puppies nor comply under the Pet Purchase Protection Act that all pet dealers must adhere to.

 

Here are some of her ads where she openly offers puppies for sale (and will DELIVER THEM IN HER PUPPY VAN!)

 

Kijiji classifieds (Online) Ad ID: 81106032, Oct-16-08

 We have 4 breeds to choose from, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, mini Dachshunds and Pomeranians. All these puppies are registered w/papers. they are UP TO DATE on shots and worming. They are micro chipped for safety. They are on their way to being house trained too! Family raised and socialized! Two ways to get yourself a pup, come to us in Oldwick NJ 08889 Or we will come to you and let you choose a pup from our puppy van!! Call us at 908 455 0111 to get updated availability.

 

NJ Star Ledger Ads: (If we didn't know any better, we'd think we were reading pet store ads!)

 

October 26, 2008

PURE BRED PUPPIES $400 BOSTONS, SHIH TZU, MINI DOXIES, POMS CALL 908-455-0111

 

October 12, 2008

PUPPY SALE - SHIH TZU-POMS-DACHSHUNDS-MORKIE-LABS  $450, 908-455-0111

 

October 5, 2008 (7 ads in one paper!)

BOSTON TERRIER  11 weeks happy and friendly $450 908-455-0111

POMERANIAN Teacups Red & Black/white Males $550 (908)-455-0111

MORKIE RARE Female $700 (908)-455-0111

MALTESE TEACUP Female 9 weeks $700 (908)-455-0111

MINI DOXON Red & Black/Tan 9 weeks $550 (908)-455-0111

SHIH TZU 9 weeks old golden white $550 908-455-0111

LAB YELLOW Female happy & friendly $600 (908)-455-0111

 

September 14, 2008

YORKIE PUPPIES Tiny baby doll faces, parents where (sic) 5 lbs. $600 (908) 455-0111

 

August 24, 2008

DACHSHUNDS Mini  All Boys All colors $450  908-455-0111

 

We have once again brought this to the attention of the White House zoning official and the Hunterdon County Health Department. At the very least, if Patterson is openly selling dogs, she needs a kennel license, supervising veterinarian, and must comply under state laws! We will keep you posted.

 

 

 

 

 

RESCUES BUYING AND SELLING PUPPY MILL PUPPIES

 

We have also been made aware (via a consumer complaint regarding a sick puppy) of another rescue buying slightly older puppies from at least one pet store in Burlington County and reselling them under the name of adoption. We obtained the paperwork from the store and the manager confirmed  she sells the 10-14 week old puppies to the rescue for $150 each, while the rescue in question then ¡adopts' the puppies at prices ranging from $250-$450, with no home checks or spay/neuter  contract. When the puppy was diagnosed with giardia, coccidia and kennel cough (common in many pet store puppies), the rescue claimed no responsibility for vet bills, although puppy purchasers have at least a few rights under the puppy lemon law and are entitled to reimbursement of vet bills up to twice the purchase price.  Because the adopter stated that her puppy was "dirty and smelled bad", we

suspect this puppy (and probably many others) went right from the pet store to the adoption event, harboring contagious diseases.

 

The rescue did not respond to our email.

 

The trend of individuals or groups paying pet stores and/or puppy millers for young, marketable dogs and adopting them under the guise of rescue is increasingly alarming when there are so many needy, homeless, adoptable dogs languishing in shelters and pounds everywhere.  It is in direct conflict of the purpose of rescuing homeless dogs. And sadly, the purchase of pet store puppies and puppy mill puppies perpetuates the cycle of supply and demand. What goes out must come in. These rescuers may think they are "saving puppy mill dogs"  - they aren't. What they ARE doing is enabling the puppy profiteers to continue and, with their exorbitant adoption fees, are acting in the same capacity as pet stores, selling pure bred or so-called designer mixed breeds to impulse adopters under the name of rescue.

 

The whole thing smacks of unethical behavior and gives legitimate, reputable rescues a very bad name.  For older, sweet dogs desperate to find loving permanent homes, the competition can be deadly.

 

Libby Williams

 

NJCAPSA.org