Happiness Is Pets Source of Distemper Outbreak (UPDATED)

Updates:

CAPS received a complaint this morning (02/01/12) from a Happiness is Pets customer whose dog, purchased for $1200 just over two weeks ago, had a runny nose and sneezing, which progressed to lack of appetite, bad diarrhea and extreme lethargy. The small Pomeranian’s eye’s are now so crusted open she can’t open them. This morning she was barely moving. The HIP vet tested the dog for parvo and said there was nothing seriously wrong with the dog. CAPS President Deborah Howard called and emailed the customer and told her to take her dog to a decent vet immediately, which is where she is now. This sounds like another case of distemper.

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-30

Publication name: Cindy Lu’s Muse

URL for more info: http://cindylusmuse.blogspot.com/2012/01/happiness-is-pets-source-of-distemper.html

Summary:

Happiness is Pets, a pet store chain in the Chicago suburbs, has long been known by many to sell puppies that often end up with health issues. This, of course, is not news – we know that puppies sold by pet stores can only come from one type of breeder, the horrid puppy mills. Making the news now, though, is a distemper outbreak that has been traced to this chain.

Continue reading….

Related articles:

NBC Chicago: Distemper Cases Linked to Suburban Pet Stores

Examiner.com: Justice for Dakota – puppy with distemper fights for recovery

Tags: Animal Cruelty, breeders, brokers, CAPS, Chicago, Chicago suburbs, Cindy Lu's Muse, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Deborah Howard, distemper, Dog Health, Examiner.com, Happiness is Pets, health issues, Inhumane, Kathy Mordini, Kim Thomas, NBC Chicago, outbreak, Pet Shops, pet store chain, Pet Stores, protest, puppies, Puppy Mills, Ronald Berning, Video

Pet store protest heats up in Orland Park (UPDATED)

Jonathan Berning, son of Ron Berning, owner of HIP in Naperville, arrested and in squad car’s back seat directly in front of HIP store.

CAPS member and protester Diane Arp was assaulted by Jonathan Berning during one of our protests at Happiness is Pets, a Chicago area-based chain owned by Ron Berning, the father of Jonathan. Police arrested Berning and Arp has pressed charges.

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-29

Publication name: Southtown Star

URL for more info: http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/10271394-417/pet-store-protest-heats-up-in-orland-park.html

Summary:
Despite the frigid weather Sunday, things got a little heated during a protest outside an Orland Park pet shop.

While members of the Companion Animal Protection Society were protesting puppy sales outside Happiness Is Pets, 15647 S. 94th Ave., a woman got into an argument with a protester.

Continue reading…

Related articles:
Southtown Star: Owner’s son faces assault charge after pet shop protest in Orland Park
CBS Chicago: Quarrel Nearly Leads To Arrests At Anti-Puppy Mill Protest

Correction: Police came out for this assault on CAPS member and protester Dianne Arp and witnessed her being assaulted again, this time by Jonathan Berning, son of Happiness is Pets owner Ron. They arrested Jonathan, and Dianne pressed charges. The only reason the customer wasn’t charged is that Dianne decided not to file charges against him.

Southtown Star: Pet store protest heats up in Orland Park (Picture Gallery)

Tags: Animal Cruelty, breeders, CAPS, Chicago, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Dianne Arp, distemper, Happiness is Pets, Illinois, Inhumane, Investigation, Jonathan Berning, Michelle Winslow, Naperville, Orland Park, Pet Shops, pet store, Pet Stores, protester, puppies, Puppy Mills, Robert Winslow, Ron Berning, Southtown Star, STEVE METSCH, undercover investigations

Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill Update

Forwarded from Stop the Suffering:

Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill S.F. 462 (Senator Barb Goodwin) H.F. 702 (Representative John Lesch)
The 2012 Minnesota legislative session began on January 24, and a very important bill needs your help. S.F. 462/H.F. 702 (Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill) was introduced in 2011. It is still alive and has a chance to be heard during the 2012 Minnesota legislative session. Minnesota has no state laws, rules, licensing or regulations to address the care of cats and dogs in commercial breeding facilities. That is why this bill is so important. S.F. 462/H.F. 702 will provide basic licensing and regulation for this industry. A large Coalition of humane societies, rescue groups, animal control, veterinarians, and individuals have been working hard for several years to pass legislation to regulate this industry – plus numerous other supporters, including other humane societies, rescue groups, veterinarians, law enforcement, students, legislators, businesses and community members representing the interests of Minnesota who understand the need for breeder regulation have been working with the Coalition to help pass these bills.

We need YOUR help in raising awareness and educating legislators. Your voice can make a difference in the lives of dogs and cats in Minnesota. See below for bill status, talking points and how you can help.
Read more »

Tags: agri-business, anti-cruelty laws, breeder regulation, breeders, Coalition, commercial breeding facilities, Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill, H.F. 702, legislation, legislators, licensing, Minnesota, Minnesota anti-cruelty laws, Minnesota legislative session, Puppy Mills, regulation, Representative John Lesch, S.F. 462, Senator Barb Goodwin, Stop the Suffering

Pet-friendly events for this weekend Jan. 28 – 29

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-26

Publication name: Examiner.com

URL for more info: http://www.examiner.com/pets-in-chicago/pet-friendly-events-for-this-weekend-jan-28-29

Summary:
Protests for the Puppies – The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) will hold an informational protest in front of Happiness is Pets at 15647 S 94th Ave, Orland Park between 1 and 3 p.m. Signs will be provided.

Continue reading…

Happiness is NOT Pets Facebook Event Page

Happiness is Pets Naperville Protest Facebook Event Page

Click here for more information about Happiness is Pets

Tags: CAPS, Chicago, Companion Animal Protection Society, examiner, Examiner.com, Happiness is Pets, Ida McCarthy, Illinois, Kathy Mordini, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, protest, Puppy Mills

Sold puppies infected with distemper

Update:
CAPS was recently notified about yet another sick puppy purchased at the Happiness is Pets Lombard store. We’ will add more information as soon as we get the details.

Protests this weekend:
• Happiness is Pets in Naperville
1592 W. Ogden Avenue
SATURDAY, January 28 at 2:00 pm
and
• Happiness is Pets in Orland Park
15647 S. 94th Avenue
SUNDAY, January 29 at 1:00 pm

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-19

Publication name: Abc 7 News

URL for more info: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Flocal&id=8511804

Summary:

Two Chicago area pet stores recently sold puppies infected with distemper.

The dogs were bought from the Happiness is Pets shops in Naperville and Downers Grove.

Continue reading…

Related articles:
Naperville Sun: Dog distemper traced to local pet shop chain
Downers Grove Patch: Puppies Infected with Distemper Sold at DG Store

Tags: Abc 7 News, Animal Cruelty, animal rights, CAPS, Chicago, Companion Animal Protection Society, Downers Grove, Happiness is Pets, Ida McCarthy, Illinois, Inhumane, Naperville, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, Puppy Mills, Video

The facts behind that “perfect pet” … the puppy mill life cycle

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-16

Publication name: Examiner.com

URL for more info: http://www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-arlington/puppy-mills

Summary:

For some people, finding the perfect pet means one that comes with paperwork stating that they have the perfect parents and perfect background. But, what the paperwork does not tell them is the suffering that many of the parents go through in order to make that “perfect puppy.” Many spend their entire lives in harsh wire cages, unable to walk around, with no proper care or attention. Others live in filthy, overcrowded pens and much, much worse. What these people don’t know is that perfect puppy sometimes comes with physical and emotional issues due to no fault of its own. The result is pets that end up in shelters and rescues and the never-ending vicious circle of unwanted animals.

Continue reading…

Tags: Alexandria Animal Welfare Examiner, Animal Cruelty, breeders, brokers, CAPS, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Dog Health, Examiner.com, Humane, Inhumane, Investigation, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, puppies, Puppy Mills, Romy Maimon, undercover investigations, USDA, Video

Happiness is Pets – NOT

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-15

Publication name: Cindy Lu’s Muse

URL for more info: http://cindylusmuse.blogspot.com/2012/01/happiness-is-pets-not.html

Summary:

Happiness Is Pets is the name of a pet store chain in the Chicagoland area. The stores sell puppies. As far as I’m concerned, Happiness is Pets can be clumped into the same disrespectful group of pet businesses as Petland. And chances are, you have a store like this one not far from where you live. You don’t have to feel helpless about it, though.

Continue reading…

Tags: Animal Cruelty, breeders, CAPS, Chicagoland, Cindy Lu's Muse, CindyLu, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Deborah Howard, Happiness is Pets, Humane, Ida McCarthy, Inhumane, Kim Thomas, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, Petland, protest, puppies, Puppy Mills, undercover investigations, USDA

Dana Point ban on dog, cat sales gets initial OK

Publication/Event date: 2012-01-18

Publication name: The Orange County Register

URL for more info: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pet-336131-animal-point.html

Summary:

Dana Point City Council approves first readings of ordinances to ban retail sales of dogs and cats in the city and to require owners of pets repeatedly impounded to pay to spay or neuter them before they can get the animals back.

Continue reading…

Tags: animal rights, ban, California, Dana Point, Dana Point City Council, FRANK SHYONG, impounded, Ordinances, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, Puppy Mills, retail sales, shelters, spay or neuter, The Orange County Register

CAPS PSA with Enrico Colantoni

Enrico Colantoni reveals the truth behind the cute puppy in the window

Enrico Colantoni is a well known Canadian actor, famous for his TV roles in Just Shoot Me!, Veronica Mars, Flashpoint, and most recently in the indy comedy Sherman’s Way. Colantoni was born in Toronto, Ontario to Italian immigrant parents. He studied psychology and sociology at the University of Toronto, but later on transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and graduated from the Yale School of Drama.

Tags: Animal Cruelty, animal rights, breeders, brokers, CAPS, CAPS PSA, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Deborah Howard, Dogs, Enrico Colantoni, Humane, Inhumane, Investigation, Pet Adoption, Pet Shops, Pet Stores, puppies, Puppy Mills, Rescue, undercover investigations, USDA, Video

Pups & Pets Protests

CAPS protesters have been demonstrating at Pups & Pets of Santee (greater San Diego area) EVERY SATURDAY, for eleven months! During this holiday season, CAPS activists have also been in front of Pups & Pets on Tuesday afternoons for four hours to alert Christmas shoppers!

This past summer, CAPS received a complaint that a puppy purchased at Pups & Pets died of Parvo.

“One of the saddest elements to this store is that the puppies are never let out of their aquarium-like cages for any sort of exercise at all,” said CAPS San Diego Campaign Coordinator Sydney Cicourel.

It is our belief that business cannot be going well. Franco Cruz’s customer count has decreased substantially due to our nearly one year presence.

One thing is certain: our loyal CAPS protesters believe in this cause and will be there until the store’s owner decides to go humane or closes his business altogether.

Tags: Animal Cruelty, breeders, brokers, commercial breeders, Companion Animal Protection Society, Franco Cruz, Parvo, Pet Shops, protesters, protests, puppies, Puppy Mills, Pups & Pets, San Diego, san diego campaign coordinator, Sydney Cicourel, undercover investigations