CAPS Mission Statement

• Ken Raber, Montgomery, Indiana
• Joy Hicks, Williamsville, Missouri
• Abe and Vera Graber, Loogootee, Indiana
• Delilah Wagler, Loogootee, Indiana

Oklahoma, with more than 600 USDA licensed facilities, is now second only to Missouri in the number of federally licensed puppy mills. The state also has a large number of non-USDA licensed breeders - those that sell directly to the public, either in person or online. CAPS has conducted three investigations in Oklahoma since the beginning of 2007. Animal advocate Ruth Steinberger, who has successfully set-up low-cost spay/neuter programs in Oklahoma, asked CAPS to provide investigative evidence to support crucial commercial dog breeding legislation. The "Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act" would give state humane agents (certified state police officers) the ability to investigate dog breeding and brokering facilities without puppy mill owner permission, to serve warrants, and to seize abused and neglected animals. Her committee asked CAPS to investigate Oklahoma puppy mills, both federally licensed and unlicensed. This legislation could serve as model legislation for all puppy mill states.

In a four-day series that started Sunday, October 21, the Tulsa World explored dog breeding industry issues, including treatment, economics and oversight. Sunday's article featured four images taken by a CAPS investigator at USDA licensed facilities in Oklahoma. One of the photos appeared on the front page.

CAPS worked closely with Special Projects Reporter Omer Gillham on this series. CAP video footage and photos are featured in the World's online videos: "Puppy Profits" and "Problematic Breeder."

Click here to view the Dwayne Craig puppy mill investigation report, photos and undercover footage.

For more photos from our Winter 2007 investigation of Oklahoma puppy mills, "Click here - spring_2007_photo_sheet.pdf".

CAPS is assisting Minnesota Humane Society with a puppy mill billboard campaign. The billboards feature photos from CAPS investigations in Minnesota. If you are a Minnesota resident, contact your state legislators and ask them to address the tragedy of puppy mills in their state through legislation. Also, contact your congressman and senators and request congressional oversight hearings on the failure of the USDA to enforce the Animal Welfare Act as it pertains to commercial dog breeding and brokering facilities in Minnesota.

The billboard can be seen in Little Falls, MN on Hwy 10 and 131st Street, facing north. The size of the billboard is 12' x 48'

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