Breeder: Ann Quinn
Business name: Forever Puppy 4 U
Address: 8114 State Hwy M
City, State, Zip: Niangua, MO 65713
USDA License: 43-A-5418
Date of CAPS Investigation: 11/5/19
Time of CAPS Investigation: 16:50
Weather at time of investigation: 63°F and sunny
Approximate number of dogs observed at time of investigation: 16 (not all dogs were observed)
Breeds: Akita, Labradoodle, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua
I observed the kennel, which was located north of the property residence. The kennel consisted of a metal building with dog runs on the east and north sides. The eastern runs were partially visible. I observed an outdoor pen approximately 5’ wide x 5’ long with a tarped roof, chain link walls, and dirt flooring. I observed a single Yorkshire Terrier within it. To the east of the Yorkie’s pen, I observed a similar pen with a square plastic container in side a metal cage frame, about 2.5’ tall x 2.5’ wide x 2.5’ long, that appeared to serve as a dog house for two Chihuahuas within the enclosure. Next to the pen was an elevated wire cage containing what appeared to be a single Shih Tzu puppy. This cage was approximately 5’ long x 1.5’ tall x 2’ wide, though the exact dimensions were difficult to determine because my view of the enclosure was partially blocked by a tarp positioned on the south end of it.
To the north of the enclosures described above, I observed a row of enclosures on the ground with galvanized mesh walls. The view did not allow me to determine the exact number of dogs within these enclosures.
While I heard the barking of dozens of dogs coming from inside the barn, I was unable to access or observe the dogs within it.
I was, however, able to observe the northernmost runs more closely. There were approximately eight runs total, situated and designed in an unorganized manner. The pens were about 6’ wide x 8’ long. They had chain link and galvanized mesh walls and rock floorings, though one had straw on part of the flooring. The pens had what appeared to be plastic paneling and metal sheets positioned against some of the walls. Plastic containers that were about 3’ wide x 4’ long x 4’ tall, set in thick metal caging, were positioned in some pens near plastic dog houses.
I was able to clearly observe one pen containing a Shibu Inu and another containing a Labradoodle. The bottom rail of the metal frame of the Shiba Inu’s pen was rusting (3.1 – Housing facilities, general. (c) Surfaces (1) General requirements. Surfaces of housing facilities – including houses, must be removed or replaced when worn or soiled. Interior surface and any surfaces that come in contact with dogs must (i) Be free of excessive rust that prevents the required cleaning and sanitization). The chain link door of the Labradoodle’s pen was torn with the link pushed upwards at the bottom, as though the dog had broken and then tried to push through the bottom of the link. Pieces of chain link that were bent together, but removed from the door frame that held them in place, pointed downward. (3.1 – Housing facilities, general. (a) Structure; construction. Housing facilities for dogs must be kept in good repair, and they must protect the animals from injury, contain the animals securely, and restrict other animals from entering; (c) Surfaces (1) General requirements (ii) Surfaces that come in contact with dogs must be free of jagged edges or sharp points that might injure the animals).
I also observed an outdoor dog pen located at the southern end of the kennel area. This pen was approximately 6’ wide x 6’ long, with a chain link fence, plastic dog house, and what appeared to be a Schipperke and a Shiba Inu within.
Evidence contradicting pet store claims:
- During my investigation of Puppies of Westport in Norwalk, CT on 4/22/19, I saw a puppy’s cage card with Quinn’s name, address and USDA license number. A store employee told me that their breeders have “max like three breeds” and only a few dogs. This statement is contradicted by the amount of dogs and the variety of breeds that I observed while investigating Quinn’s facility.
Breeder is connected to the following stores:
- Puppies of Westport, Norwalk, CT (store visit 4/22/19)
