'Horrible Hundred' Puppy Mills: PA Has 8 Breeders On List In 2023, Humane Society Says

PENNSYLVANIA — The Humane Society of the United States called out 100 problem puppy mills and dog sellers in its annual “Horrible Hundred” list of problem breeders in Pennsylvania and elsewhere across America. Some of the breeders in the Keystone State have been in this report multiple times, and still operate despite multiple state citations and warnings according to the HSUS.

The report, released every May, details the often-filthy, unhealthy conditions dogs and their offspring are kept in at high-volume breeding operations that sell puppies to pet stores or through their own websites — which means the puppies could end up anywhere.

The Humane Society said that Missouri had the highest humber of dealers in the nation, for the 11th year in a row, with 31 dealers identified. Pennsylvania had eight in the 2023 report, which was the fourth-most on the list. Iowa and Ohio each had 13.

"Since we published our first report in 2013, at least 1,650 dogs have been rescued from past Horrible Hundred dealers that closed," said the Humane Society in their 2023 report. "But while many puppy mills have shut down, some that have been in the report five, six or even more times remain in business despite recurring and egregious animal care violations. The HSUS urges authorities to take stronger action against repeat offenders and to enact tougher policies to prevent poor conditions from escalating into animal cruelty."

This report does not identify "the worst dog breeders in the country," added the Humane Society, since many breeders are never inspected and documentation of how they operate may never be publicly available.

Here are the eight Pennsylvania dealers that the Humane Society listed on the "Horrible Hundred," and what inspectors found. Click here to read the full national report.

Blissful Paws, New Providence

• "During inspections in May 2022, September 2022 and March 2023, state authorities found multiple violations at Blissful Paws and issued citations each time. Some of the issues included matted dogs, unsanitary conditions and a failure to keep up with regular veterinary examinations."

Little Puppies Online LLC aka Pennsylvania Puppies Online, Red Lion (affiliates also listed in 2020, 2017)

• "During a September 2022 state inspection, the Little Puppies Online kennel received a warning for several issues, including some cages containing puppies who were so cramped that they could not turn, stand erect or sit and lie down normally. At the time, there were over 100 puppies on the premises."

Eichenluft Working German Shepherds, Newville (also listed in 2017-2020, and in 2022)

• HSUS claims the state gave a verbal and written warning to this facility in December 2022 that was one of many owner Margaret Graf accumulated since 2010. "The warning was due to issues such as several dogs who had inadequate protection from the cold. Inspectors also found a lack of proper vaccination documents and other records. Prior issues have included chronic veterinary concerns as well as operating without the proper license."

Steve's Kennels, Lancaster

• "Between late June and early September 2022, state inspectors issued two verbal and written warnings to Steve’s Kennels. The issues were related to unsanitary conditions, such as water bowls with greenish growth on them and excess feces, and unsafe housing that could hurt the dogs."

Woodland Puppies, Honey Brook

• Placed under a state quarantine in Jan. 2023 for an outbreak of the disease canine brucellosis, which is a reportable disease in the state. "Many other violations were noted in 2022, including repeated issues with enclosures that were too small and a lack of veterinary records."

Stoltzfus Puppies, Allenwood

• Between May 2022 and February 2023, state officials cited Stoltzfus for 25 violations according to the Humane Society."Issues included selling puppies to a pet shop without the necessary license, enclosures that were too small, and no program of veterinary care. Commercial breeders are also required to have a federal license to sell puppies to pet stores, but as of April 28, 2023, HSUS researchers could find no sign of an active USDA license for Stoltzfus Puppies or for anyone named Stoltzfus in Allenwood, Pennsylvania."

Turkey Hill Kennel, East Earl (also listed in 2013-2015, and in 2017).

• The HSUS says owners of Turkey Hill Kennel have been instructed to have veterinary checks done on their dogs at least 10 times. "There were almost 100 dogs on the property at the most recent available inspection. Issues found in prior years included dogs housed in dark and filthy conditions with poor air quality."

Oak Ridge Kennel, Manheim

• "State inspectors found violations at four different inspections of Oak Ridge Kennel between August 2022 and March 2023, and issued two verbal and written warnings as well as two citations on different dates. The issues included a dog with a neck lesion that looked like it had been there 'for some time,' repeated issues with some dogs kept in cages that were too small, and unsanitary conditions with an accumulation of dust, dirt and dead bugs."

Several of the company owners told PennLive that the Humane Society was overstating how serious the allegations against them were, while others refused to comment.

The Humane Society said that members of the public can do their part to stop puppy mills "by choosing adoption first when getting a pet, or buying only from carefully-screened breeders they meet in person."