Bay Area Pet Store Closed as a Result of CAPS Protests

After weeks of private investigation and protests, the Bay Area “Puppy Love Boutique” store has been closed for financial reasons.

“All of our protesting, petitioning and leafleting have been effective. The customers stopped shopping and Puppy Love Boutique could no longer pay their rent. As of today, they are evicted and gone!” - Darlena King, CAPS Advisory Board

CAPS' investigated breeders who sold to Puppy Love Boutique:

Joyce Burkhart - Shady Valley Kennel - video and report on file

Marsha Cox - Mar-Don Kennel - report on file

FOR IMMEDITE RELEASE

The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) has been exposing the puppy mill industry’s cruel treatment of animals for profit since 1992. Pet shops buy their puppies from brokers. These brokers get their animals from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a commercial breeding kennel that mass-produces dogs in usually cramped, crude, filthy conditions for resale. The constant confinement and a lack of adequate veterinary care and socialization often result in animals who are unhealthy and difficult to socialize.

One of the suppliers of puppies to “Puppy Love” was the Shady Valley Kennel owned by Joyce Burkart, Carrollton, Missouri. Video of that facility and its conditions can be viewed here: http://www.nmatv.com/video/2720/CAPS-Investigation-Shady-Valley-Kennel

CAPS investigators uncovered shocking conditions including the body of a dog that starved to death at the Shady Valley Kennel.”

- Deborah Howard, CAPS President

Pet shops buy their puppies from brokers. These brokers get their animals from puppy mills. A puppy mill is a commercial breeding kennel that mass-produces dogs in usually cramped, crude, filthy conditions for resale. The constant confinement and a lack of adequate veterinary care and socialization often result in animals who are unhealthy and difficult to socialize.

CAPS has been actively working in Los Angeles to convert pet shops that sell puppy mill dogs into humane adoption centers that provide rescue and shelter animals. According to Howard, CAPS plans to undertake the same mission in the San Francisco Bay Area.

CAPS Mission Statement

As the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting companion animals, CAPS' foremost concern is the abuse and suffering of pet shop and puppy mill dogs. Founded in 1992, CAPS actively addresses this issue through investigations, education, media relations, legislative involvement, puppy mill dog rescues, consumer assistance and pet industry employee relations.

Bob Parks, Director of Communications

Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS)

Phone: 413-658-4369

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.