MERRIAM, Kan. – A breeder in Kansas with too many dogs and not enough customers is no longer in business and the dogs are now under the control of the Kansas Animal Health Department.

“It’s a trend that we’ve been seeing for the past eight or nine months,” says Brendon Wiley, Executive Director of Animal Haven. “People aren’t willing to pay the same money for cute little dogs during tough economic times. The results are breeders stuck with too many puppies and not enough money to properly care for them.”

In this most recent case, 85 dogs were taken under a consent agreement which Wiley says means the owner relinquished the animals and agrees to get out of the breeding business. Nine of the dogs were transferred to Animal Haven. 

“When owners lose their dogs to authorities and refuse to stop breeding, then it becomes a legal matter,” says Wiley. “So far, breeders with too many animals and not enough money to care for them are cooperating.”

Wiley says socially the dogs seem to be in okay condition. Two of the dogs have severe dental problems and all of them had untrimmed nails and severe fleas and/or ticks. Some of the dogs also had severely matted hair that will require grooming before being available for adoption. 

The dogs available for adoption by middle of next week include one Lhasa Apso, two Bichon Frise and three Shih Tzu. One Boston Terrier will also be ready but suffers severe dental issues and a possible tumor. A toy Fox Terrier also has severe dental issues and one Japanese Chin has eye problems. 

In 2008, 3,695 animals went through Animal Haven’s doors. Of those, 1074 have been reclaimed and 2117 have been adopted. 

Types of Dogs Received:

1 - Lhasa Apso

1 - Boston Terrier- severe dental issues and possible tumor

2 - Bichon Frise

1 - Toy Fox Terrier- severe dental issues

1 - Japanese Chin- eye problems

3 - Shih Tzu