An Ottumwa, Iowa animal shelter known as Rescue Pets Iowa is being sued by a California animal rights organization for being an alleged front for a puppy mill and part of an interstate “puppy-laundering scheme.”
Bark Adoptions, a California-based organization has been accused of purchasing purebred and designer puppies from Rescue Pets Iowa for sale at Animal Kingdom pet stores in California.
This elaborate scheme was designed to circumvent California’s law against selling non-rescue animals at pet stores. In 2017, California became the first state to enact this type of law.
The lawsuit details the abhorrent living conditions and practices typical of the puppy mills Animal Kingdom has “historically obtained” animals from. Mother dogs live in cramped cages “covered in waste and exposed to the elements” and forced to birth several litters of puppies every year – regardless of their health condition.
The goals of the lawsuit are to ban Animal Kingdom from buying or selling pets from “sham rescue groups,” including Bark Adoptions and Rescue Pets Iowa, and prohibit these phony organizations from selling animals in California.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund asserts that Bark Adoptions is not a federally registered non-profit, according to the IRS website.
Lady Freethinker is thankful that this horrid scheme is being exposed to hold sham rescues accountable for their cruel practices.
Lock them up
PEOPLE WHO ABUSE ANIMALS MUST BE HEAVILY FINED & JAILED A LONG TIME…NO EXCUSES FOR ANIMAL ABUSE. TOUGH ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS MUST BE MADE…NOW
ANIMAL LEGAL DEFENSE, thank you for clarifying this scammers agendas to the public. Authorities must shut down this Sham rescue groups & the Phony Bark adoption & rescue pets Iowa. Such scammers should never be allowed to make money out of the Innocent pooches expense.
GOOD
THIS is Animal.. These precious little dears are trapped in cages,with no affection, LOVE or stimulation. There are so many orphan, homeless cats and dogs ALREADY , that desperately need Forever Homes. We don’t need breeders to creators homeless, unwanted animals. This is heartbreaking. Please STOP. Find loving Forever Homes for these precious little dear dogs and cats. Don’t breed more.
They need to make an example of these cruel, greedy freaks, and get all of those animals to safety and permanently out of the clutches of evil fools.
these jerks must go to jail & be heavily fined. These jerks must never have contact with any animal ever again.
This is a disgrace. This scheme must be closed down and those responsible prosecuted to the full.
First, they prey upon the little puppies and their moms. THEN, they prey upon the public. Put these charlatans out of business and prohibit them ever having anything to do with animals EVER in the future.
This is a disgrace. How can anyone pose as a rescue,and really be a part of this horrible scheme. This is a FELONY
These people don’t deserve the luxury of jails or prisons they belong going through the same hell they have done to these animals ! I am so over the people in the world that do these evil acts upon these animals and the people say oh put them in jail – Why should they be able to live without fear or worries after what they have done to animals? They deserve to be used as lab rats for science or they belong dead.
The things people dream up to make a buck. The reason why I adore animals. People – not so much.
This should make national news. I could only find reference in the Des Moines Register and Sioux Land News.
Stomach-turning exploitation of innocent dogs.
Iowa – where two boys broke into Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter and bludgeoned 16 cats to death, and injured another 7, with baseball bats. Convicted of criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, because “it was a stupid, childish mistake”. (!?!)
The cats were not worth even $500. Jury said a case of “boys will be boys”. (!!??!!)
Moral of this comment – stay the hell out of Iowa. And where is CA’s famous enlightenment? Anyone?
I grew up in Ottumwa and I’m very shocked to hear this. I wish I were back there now.I really feel the need to help put a stop to this
Shame on these sub humans. They be forced to live this way.
Rescue Pets Iowa- shame on you! I hope you go to prison.