Jacob W Bontrager – Hillsboro, WI

An enclosure housing four adult dogs in the upper building had an area of metal siding that has rusted by the floor and now has rough edges exposed. Rough edges could hurt dogs. Ensure to maintain areas dogs can touch free from any sharp points or edges. ***Correct by 1/13/2025.

The facility has a written exercise plan that was written and signed by the previous Attending Veterinarian (AV). A written exercise program has to be approved by the current AV . Ensure to work with the current AV on approval of a written exercise plan. ***Correct by 1/30/2025.

The facility has an Attending Veterinarian (AV) and written Program of Veterinary care (PVC), however the PVC has not been signed by the current AV. The written PVC is required to be signed by the AV. Ensure that the written PVC is signed by the AV. ***Correct by 1/30/2025.

Ten dogs were shipped prior to receiving a health certificate. Shipping dogs without having a completed health certificate doesn't ensure the dogs being shipped are in good health. All dogs being shipped must have a health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian no more than 10 days prior to the delivery of the dogs.

Three puppies born on 7/10/25 were shipped on 9/3/25. The puppies would have been 55 days old on the day of sale which is one das shy of the required 8 weeks of age that they are required to be before being transported. Dogs younger than 8 weeks of age are more susceptible to stresses that occur from travelling and being placed into a new facility. Their immune systems are more susceptible to becoming comprised which could cause them to become sick and even die. The licensee must not ship any puppies under 8 weeks of age unless it is directly to the end consumer.

While reviewing the paperwork, the licensee's young sons had four nursing puppies out of their enclosure and were playing with them on a chair. One of the puppies fell off the chair and verbalized (squealed out) in pain/discomfort. The licensee was able to calm that puppy down and the puppy was uninjured. Not handling the puppies carefully and appropriately can result in trauma, discomfort, or injury to the puppies. The licensee must ensure anyone he authorizes to handle his dogs/puppies are doing so in a manner as expeditiously and carefully as possible and doesn't cause any trauma, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort to the animals being handled.

None of the adult dogs are vaccinated against distemper or parvo. Not having all the adult dogs current on their distemper/parvo vaccines doesn't ensure the population is adequately protected against those diseases. All adult dogs must be vaccinated against distemper and parvo.

Multiple enclosures had fecal material that was turning green, indicating mold growth. When asked the licensee stated it had been a couple of days since the enclosures were last scooped. Not removing excreta waste from the enclosures on a daily basis can contribute to the spread of disease. All enclosures must have fecal material removed from the enclosures on a daily basis. Correct starting on 8/12/26.