November 15, 2023

Nearly 500 dogs and cats have been saved from Horrible Hundred breeders this year

Kitty Block

Samuel Roman's kennel, photographed in March 2022, shows outdoor dog enclosures that appeared to be in very poor condition and constructed from random debris, such as pieces of siding. State inspectors also found concerning issues at the kennel in August 2021, including puppies "walking on urine and feces," puppy housing in poor repair and dogs potentially exposed to septic wastes.

The HSUS

Every year in our Horrible Hundred report, we expose 100 problem puppy and kitten mills across the U.S. These high-volume breeding facilities treat the breeding dogs and cats as little more than machines to churn out litters for profit. The coldness and cruelty of the industry is never easy to face, but exposing the realities of these facilities is essential to eradicating the puppy mill industry and creating a more humane world for companion animals.

I’m pleased that so far this year, our reports have helped to spark change and save nearly 500 animals from Horrible Hundred dealers, many of which closed for good.

Here are some of the highlights:

In Virginia, our Animal Rescue Team helped rescue more than 100 cats from a breeding operation that had been in our 2023 Horrible Hundred report. Inspectors had found sick and injured dogs and cats on the property again and again. While the dogs had been placed for adoption before we got there, we were pleased to help rescue 110 cats. Many of them have been placed in new homes already, while others are still available for adoption through our shelter partners. We are grateful that the Virginia attorney general’s office and local law enforcement officials took swift action in this case.

Responder holding a cat rescued from a large-scale breeder

A cat rescued from a large-scale breeder case in Virginia undergoes veterinary exams at a care facility operated by the HSUS in October.

Kevin Wolf

AP Images for the HSUS

In Kansas, we supported efforts to increase the budget of the Kansas Department of Agriculture by $750,000 so that it had the resources to act against some of the most problematic puppy mills in the state. Several had been featured in our Horrible Hundred reports repeatedly. The department also revoked the license of Pooches of Overland Park, a Petland store where the agency had found sick dogs. The store still exists but is now under new ownership.
Also in Kansas, our Horrible Hundred report was one of the documents used to secure a search warrant at Tree of Life Kennels. Breeder Samuel Roman, who was mentioned in this blog last year after his animals were first seized, was recently sentenced to eight years in jail, with four years mandatory. Beauties and Beasts rescue helped pressure authorities to act and took in the rescued dogs. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, Sumner County Prosecutor’s Office, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Barnett Law Office all worked hard and showed immense dedication to this case.
In Missouri, a puppy mill called Smith Kennel, owned by Mary Ann Smith, which supplied puppies to Petland and many other pet stores, finally closed after decades of violations. Our team has been monitoring this puppy mill for more than 15 years. Smith finally surrendered her breeding license.
Authorities in Iowa took on at least three Horrible Hundred dealers this year, seizing more than 225 dogs altogether.

Since we started publishing these reports in 2013, almost 250 puppy mills that have appeared in prior Horrible Hundred reports have finally closed. Transitioning these animals to better lives would not have been possible without the support of local shelters and rescue groups across the country to help place dogs and cats in the loving homes they deserve. We are so grateful to the agencies that are steadfast in their commitments to investigating puppy and kitten mills and enforcing the law.

Follow Kitty Block @HSUSKittyBlock.

Stopping Puppy Mills , Rescuing Animals in Crisis

About the author

Kitty Block is President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and CEO of Humane Society International, the international affiliate of the HSUS

Nearly 500 dogs and cats have been saved from Horrible Hundred breeders this year

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Also of Interest

Positive progress! 18 Horrible Hundred puppy mills have shut down this year

USDA permanently revokes license of breeder where our Animal Rescue Team saved 110 cats

Rescued breeder dog lived a full, loving life after she was saved