Puppy "distributor-wholesaler" gets millions of US taxpayer dollars January 4, 2002..
The practices of Missouri's Hunte Corporation handling and distribution of "wholesale" puppies in the US and internationally have been severely criticized, but the US government keeps giving them money to "expand" their business.

Below is a copy of the press release describing a current grant given them by the US government, proudly announced by Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt. The company has received nearly $5,000,000 in US government grants over the past two years alone.

Note: receiving puppies when they are 8 weeks old, if these puppies and their mothers have not been properly cared for or socialized during that time, is an alarming, serious cause for concern. Claiming the puppies will receive some sort of undefined "quality care" for only a week before they are shipped out will do little good if their formative 8 weeks have been traumatizing, neglectful or abusive. Or if the care does not meet genuine standards of good quality a puppy requires to be healthy and properly socialized. Needless to say, many animal rights and anti-puppy mill advocates are incensed about this expenditure of US taxpayer money.

Imagine the benefits of having the millions of dollars given to Hunte instead being spent on educating the public about how to choose and properly care for a puppy when it arrives home. Animal shelters throughout the nation could use a vital program like that - and *quality* breeders appreciate dealing with educated buyers, because an educated buyer can spot the ruthless puppy mill operator/seller immediately.

If you have an opinion about this story, contact: Dan Wadlington (dan.wadlington@mail.house.gov), 417-889-1800, as well as your own US senators and representatives. People living outside the US also need to be heard from because Hunte does business internationally.

To read more about action being taken against the "distribution-wholesale" puppy selling business, click here is the official press release:

USDA Approves Loan to McDonald County K-9 Distributor Blunt Announces Goodman, Missouri -- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a $900,000 guaranteed rural development loan to allow the Hunte Corporation, located in northern McDonald County, to purchase equipment, restructure its debt and provide working capital for expansion Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt has announced. Hunte Corporation Chairman Andrew Hunte said, "The loan will allow us to expand business and increase employment in McDonald County." The company received another loan for $3.5 million from the USDA last year.

"The dog breeding industry has suffered a black eye in recent years, but we are out to change that image by putting animals first and ensuring they get the best humane professional treatment," Hunte said. "We deal with breeders in several Midwest states who can meet our standards of quality care. One of our goals is to help breeders improve their operations." Hunte explained, "We get the puppies at 8 weeks old and they undergo a week of quality care to make sure they are healthy before they are shipped to upscale pet stores around the country."

The Hunte Corporation operations near Goodman include more than 150 employees under the direction of six veterinarians. The dogs are housed in a 30,000 square foot building that is climate and odor controlled. The operation is federally and state inspected.

Hunte said, "We added 18 employees this year and we hope to keep expanding. We want to be the educators of the industry. We are committed to excellent. The federal guaranteed loan will allow us to continue to move in that direction." Ten years ago, Hunte Corporated consisted of seven employees and a million dollars in sales. Hunte says sales this year will exceed $26 million. Hunte Coropriation is the largest distributor-wholesaler of puppies in the United States. The company also exports young dogs overseas.