Petition: Save Dogs of Adrian’s Puppy Paradise

You said you wanted to do something to help those poor dogs. You were willing to sign petitions, protest, make calls and send messages. The outpouring of concern for the dogs of Adrian’s Puppy Paradise in St. Anne, IL has been nothing short of inspiring. I HAVE A REQUEST FOR YOU.

Sign in front of Adrian’s Puppy Paradise

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4/07 UPDATE: 80 Dogs Removed from Adrian’s Puppy Paradise

2/25 UPDATE:  Companion Animal Protection Society representatives, led by Ida McCarthy (CAPS Illinois Director) and Dianne Arp (CAPS Chicago Coordinator), presented the Kankakee County Board members with the petition and your 2,000 signatures (to date) at their committee meeting this morning. 

Kankakee Rescue ladies joined in, offering great suggestions. In attendance were Kankakee Board Chairman Mike Bossert and other board members, and Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jamie Boyd.

Board members unanimously agreed that something needs to be done about this situation, and declared that they will have the first steps to do so determined by their next meeting. They will discuss their options, consult with CAPS on how best to move forward, proceed from there.

It was a productive meeting, and residents of the St. Anne’s area can be proud that your county board is taking this matter seriously and is willing to take action to correct such a horrible situation.

Now to hold them to their word and ensure appropriate, sufficient action is indeed taken!

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First, for those who are not familiar, Adrian’s Puppy Paradise is a puppy mill contained within the basement of the owner’s home. There it’s been documented that between 100 to 150 dogs live out their lives confined to cages. For the whole scoop, please visit Adrian’s Puppy Paradise – A Dog’s Hell?

The state of Illinois ranks highly on animal welfare issues,. In fact, the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks our state as the #1 most animal-friendly state in the country.  Illinoisan’s care deeply about our animal friends. That’s what makes something like this all the more disturbing. Illinois is not the puppy mill capital of the country!

The conditions

The intent of existing laws, as well as overwhelming support throughout the community, call for a level of care and daily living conditions that the dogs at Adrian’s are clearly not receiving. While governmental agencies have inspected the premises in the past, nothing has been done to sufficiently improve conditions or to require the owner take better care of the dogs that rely on her.

Slatted- or wire-bottomed cages are cruel and inhumane. Dogs’ paws get stuck in the spaces, overgrown claws get caught and rip off. Dogs often have lifelong deformities and painful mobility issues from standing on them. The purpose of such cage “flooring” is the ease of cleaning up excrement; ideally it falls through the spaces or slats to the paper lining the floor below. Often it doesn’t, though, and dogs can end up covered in their own urine and feces.

There is no way to keep up with the grooming of 100+ dogs, so there’s no doubt many are matted, possibly with urine and feces stuck in that matting to make conditions even more unsanitary. Those having dealings with the business have reported that basic grooming and claw trimming are not done regularly, and that much-needed veterinary help is often avoided by Adrian’s.

It’s no stretch of the imagination, then, that the dogs probably are not kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. State law requires that rabies vaccines be administered by licensed veterinarians. Has the county received current verification of vaccinations and issued tags for all dogs? Have they all been microchipped? Are they all in good health, with no illnesses or conditions that could be treated by a veterinarian?

The daily conditions of life for the dogs are downright abusive. It is now generally accepted that forcing a dog to live 24/7 in a cage with no outside play, run, and socialization time is neglectful to the point of abuse. Furthermore, to cram 100+ dogs into the basement of a residence is unhealthy and unsanitary. Technically, the owners have windows and fans down there, but honestly = in the middle of a midwestern winter?? We know they’re not opening any windows or running fans. That air has to be loaded with germs and bacteria, and stink to high heaven.

Kankakee County Animal Control comments about Adrian’s Puppy Paradise (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

It is these factors and more we will be requesting that the Kankakee County Board and Illinois’ Department of Agriculture revisit with a more careful eye. We want the dogs removed from that place – it’s quite clear after all the years of the same ol’, same ol’ that the owner has no intention of ever caring humanely for dogs in her hands. Residents of St. Anne and surrounding towns have spoken loud and clear about how disgusted they are with the situation. It’s time our authorities lived up to the responsibilities they’ve been entrusted to perform on our behalf.

A Petition

You asked for it – here it is. A petition addressed to the proper authorities. The Chairman of the Kankakee County Board and the State Veterinarian of the Illinois Department of Agriculture are the officials with the power to change this situation.  We are requesting that they go back to Adrian’s once again, but this time to follow through afterward with actions that will truly have a positive impact in the lives of the dogs trapped there.

A dog from the basement of Adrian’s Puppy Paradise

PETITION! If you are an Illinois resident, please sign the petition to add your voice on behalf of the dogs’ welfare! Click the following link:

***Remove the dogs at Adrian’s Puppy Paradise from their inhumane conditions*** 

Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) will continue to investigate and monitor this situation until the dogs are all safe and in responsible hands.

 Trust me, we’ve heard you all loud and clear. You want action. And you’ll gladly do whatever it takes to see a better life for the dogs of Adrian’s. Keep in mind, though, that there are legal channels we are best to follow – and those take time. This petition is step one.

That said, many of you mentioned you’d like to protest Adrian’s Puppy Paradise. If you are truly interested in spending a couple of hours one day demonstrating out in front of Adrian’s – let us know in the comments below. Also, for those who called or messaged advocacy groups, politicians, media – has anyone heard back from them?

An example

I leave you with the story of an inspiring woman who contacted me, wanting to do something to help these dogs. She is a great example of someone who is taking decisive action in a way that she can help.

Debbie used to volunteer for her local animal control shelter. She can no longer emotionally handle doing that – or viewing horrid photos and the like. But she cares about animals, and wants to help. So she’s founded Zoie’s Rescue Quilts, named after her beloved Jack Russell Terrier she still misses terribly.

Debbie is a quilter. She makes beautiful quilts of all sizes. And not just for humans; she sews quilts that are big dog to little dog-sized, as well as ones that are purrrrfect for kitties. And she creates beautiful gnome, fairy, and angel gardens.

A quilt made by Zoie’s Rescue Quilts

Zoie’s Rescue Quilts will be raffling off some of Debbie’s wares – she plans to donate the proceeds to CAPS. Now that’s a plan, don’t you think? Positive action to benefit the dogs of Adrian’s and others trapped in puppy mills!

Did you know: CAPS is the only national nonprofit organization established exclusively to fight the cruelty of puppy mills and pet stores? Since 1992 CAPS President and Founder, Deborah Howard, has been investigating and exposing puppy mills, corroborating with the media to raise awareness, and working to end the sale of puppies in pet shops and online.

I think Zoie would approve. Here’s to seeing freedom, health, and a chance to be lovingly tucked in at night for all the dogs behind bars at Adrian’s Puppy Paradise!