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issue > dealers/brokers
There are businesses that support breeding facilities in the sale of dogs and cats. These businesses are known as pet wholesalers, or also referred to as animal brokers.
Some breeding facilities, for instance, only breed; some facilities breed and broker animals (i.e., they act as the "middleman," selling to pet stores or buying from auctions); and some companies don't breed at all and only deal or broker the sale.
These differences matter as it determines what type of USDA license is required. Brokers of dogs and/or cats require a Class B license. (Class B licensees can breed, broker, or both.)
Animal brokers are a key component to the sale of puppies, kittens, dogs and cats.
The nation's largest distributor
Hunte Corporation was one of the country's largest distributors of factory-produced puppies. Andrew Hunte, the founder and owner, died in February 2015. The business was purchased and is under new management with a new name.
Many Minnesota industrial breeding facilities (USDA licensed) sold to the Hunte Corporation, who then sold the puppies to pet stores throughout the United States.
Dealers in Minnesota licensed by the USDA-APHIS
The federal government licenses certain dog and cat breeders and brokers. Below is a list of brokers in Minnesota licensed by the USDA-APHIS under a Class B license — who breed and/or broker dogs or cats. (Class A is not listed below.)
NOTE: On February 3, 2017, the USDA pulled animal welfare documents from the APHIS website making it difficult to obtain data on breeder size, cancellations, violations, and other matters. On August 23, 2017, some of this data was reposted but much of the information, such as names, addresses, and license numbers, were redacted. In February 2020, inspection reports were re-posted on the USDA website (per order by Congress) with no redactions.
NOTE: "Cancelled" (below) means the owner cancelled his or her USDA license — but this person may still be in business. A USDA license is not required if the animals are sold directly to consumers and the consumer can "see" the animal prior to purchase.
See AWA Licensing - Retail Pet Store for further details and explanations.
ACTIVE CLASS B (DEALER) USDA LICENSEE AS OF 2024
USDA License #
(Class B) |
Name/
Doing Business As |
City/County |
Notes |
41-B-0282 (new license obtained in 2019). Other license was 41-B-0081
License started: January 2, 1960. |
Menning Enterprises Inc. |
Edgerton /Pipestone |
One of the largest dog breeders/brokers in Minnesota.
USDA inspection on 05/03/2023 reported 665 animals (393 dogs and 272 puppies)
616 dogs (406 adult dogs and 210 puppies) reported on 02/04/21 USDA inspection report.
687 dogs and puppies (264 adult dogs and 423 puppies) reported on 07/30/19 USDA inspection report.
764 dogs and puppies (426 adult dogs and 338 puppies) on 02/27/19 USDA inspection report. This was a pre-license inspection with a new license number. An earlier USDA report in November 2016 reported 897 dogs and puppies (543 adult dogs and 354 puppies); sells to pet stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota |
41-B-0252 - this license cancelled on 05/24/2022 but NEW license obtained:
41-B-0287
(Had a Class A license prior to 2007)
NOTE: Violation reported on 2023 inspection by USDA. |
Mike Jouwstra /
Jouwstra Kennels |
Edgerton / Pipestone |
USDA inspection on 08/19/2023 reported 135 animals (95 dogs and 40 puppies)
02/14/23 report showed 156 aniamls (90 dogs and 66 puppies)
135 dogs and puppies total (95 adult dogs and 40 puppies) reported on 08/19/21 USDA inspection report.
140 dogs and puppies ( 96 adult dogs and 44 puppies) reported on 08/13/19 USDA inspection report.
153 dogs and puppies (96 adult dogs and 57 puppies) on 02/15/19 USDA inspection report.
96 adult dogs and 56 puppies as of February 2016 (per USDA inspection) |
41-B-0262
License started: March 16, 2010
Another broker, Toenges Enterprises, operated in this same location for years. Fulton purchased the facility |
Patrick Fulton |
Alden / Freeborn |
Acts mainly as a broker of puppies; one of largest dog brokers in Minnesota. Most animals flipped to pet stores so "inventory" counts lower.
0 inventory on 12/20/2023 (which means all puppies were shipped prior to the inspector showing up)
0 adult dogs and 7 puppies reported on 11/05/21 USDA inspection report.
0 adult dogs and 1 puppy on 12/03/19 USDA inspection report.
21 adult dogs and 0 puppies on 08/21/19 USDA inspection report.
0 adult dogs and 0 puppy on 08/21/18 USDA isnpection report. |
41-B-0285
Cancelled.
A John Miller at this address had operated as a breeder with a Class A license. That was cancelled in 2021 and a dealer license was applied for and granted. THEN on 01/04/2024 his broker license was cancelled.
Another Class A license was opened under a differnt name: LaVern and Anna Mast (41-A-0514).
|
John Miller |
Utica / Winona County |
USDA inspection on 07/19/2022 reported 92 animals (50 dogs and 42 puppies)
A pre-license USDA inspection report of 07.07.21 reported 82 dogs and puppies (51 adult dogs and 31 puppies).
NOTE: A violation was reported on the 2022 report - six puppies were transported before they were 8 weeks of age. |
41-B-0284
License started: July 8, 2021
This person had a dog breeder license (Class A) prior to obtaining a broker license. |
Joseph Zimmerman |
Sauk Center / Stearns County |
Species list as adult cats and also fox, bobcats, and racoons. No dogs. |
| 41-B-0288 |
Verified Puppy |
New Prague, MN |
USDA inspection on 10/18/2023 showed inventory count is 0. |
Names below are dealers with other species (not dogs or cats) or deceased animals
| 41-B-0002 |
The Bio Corporation |
Alexandria / Douglas |
Supplies dissection “specimens;” sells deceased animals to schools and research institutions.
NOTE: Not included in our licensee map, as it is believed this company does not breed or broker live animals. |
41-B-0242
License started: August 30, 2005 |
R&D Systems Inc |
Minneapolis / Hennepin |
Biological products company; sells deceased animals to schools and research institutions
NOTE: Not included in our licensee map, as it is believed this company does not breed or broker live animals. |
| 41-B-0254 |
Go Aquatics LLC |
|
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| 41-B-0266 |
John Weickert |
|
wildlife |
| 41-B-0272 |
Nikki Stonerr |
|
|
| 41-B-0276 |
Data Sciences International Inc |
|
|
| 41-B-0277 |
Viper LLC |
|
The Zoo Store Buffalo Ridge Exotics |
| 41-B-0278 |
Mikayla Raines |
|
Save A Fox Rescue -- foxes |
| 41-B-0279 |
Collagen Solutions |
|
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| 41-B-0281 |
Central MN Livestock Sourcing |
|
Livestock |
| 41-B-0286 |
Manthei Hog Farm LLLC |
|
Hogs |
CANCELLATIONS OR REVOCATIONS:
CLASS B (DEALERS) USDA LICENSEES
The names below have cancelled their USDA Class B license or the license has been revoked; however, the person can (and some do) still breed dogs or cats and sell retail.
List below does not include all cancellations.
USDA License #
(Class B) |
Name/
Doing Business As |
City/County |
Notes |
41-B-0161
|
Sherrye Swenson
|
Backus / Cass |
Cancelled as of 2022.
45 adult dogs and 23 puppies reported on 06/11/19 USDA inspection report. 31 adult dogs and 77 puppies as of December 2016 (per USDA inspection). |
MN 41-B-0190
Cancelled
License started:
May 30, 1997 |
Kretzman, Wanda/
Clearwater Kennels |
Cushing/
Morrison County |
Breeds, brokers and sells dogs; was the largest breeder/broker in Minnesota with over 1,000 dogs/puppies. Kretzman is the ex-wife of Gary McDuffee, and they had co-owned a kennel together. Breeder cancelled her license during a USDA investigation of the facility and her daughter-in-law (A.J.'s Angels) was granted a license by the USDA and state to operate the kennel. |
MN 41-B-0263
Cancelled
on 8-11-14
License started:
July 19, 2010
(formerly operated as Bark Ave under different license, which started in January 1960) |
Riewer, Cindy/
C & T Kennels |
Perham/
Otter Tail County |
Was one of the largest brokers in northern Minnesota; sold primarily to MN pet stores, such as Four Paws & A Tail in Blaine, MN |
MN 41-B-0268
Cancelled
on 9-23-14
License started:
May 17, 2012 (formerly had a breeder Class A license 41-A-0025; cancelled that and switched to a Class B broker license) |
Rowell, Deb
Country Pride Kennels
(also owns a horse boarding/riding stable) |
Pine River/
Cass County |
Animal cruelty complaints filed against this breeder per Minnesota law. In July 2013, 133 dogs and puppies seized from her kennel by the Cass County Sheriff Office. Nine charges were filed by the Cass County Attorney. Deborah Rowell pleaded guilty to one count. Animals not returned to the kennel; adopted to new homes. No conditions placed in plea agreement prohibiting access to animals or further breeding. Following the conviction, this facility was granted a license by the state and continues to breed and sell dogs. For further details: ROWELL |
MN 41-B-0017
Revoked
on 1-15-14
|
Schroeder, Ken |
Wells/ Faribault County |
Bred, brokered and sold dogs — majority of his puppies/dogs sold to medical and research facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and other states. Animal Folks submitted complaint to the MN Board of Animal Health. USDA took action and revoked his license. |
MN 41-B-0270
Cancelled
License started again as of April 11, 2013
Cancelled MN 41-B-0257
License started:
July 24, 2008; cancelled license on August 1, 2012 |
Har Mar Pet Stop Inc. |
St. Paul |
Pet store. Had a USDA license because store sold exotic pet animals. Types of animals per USDA inspection: hedgehogs, kittens, puppies, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and eastern cottontail rabbits.
Based on cruel conditions and injuries to animals cited in the USDA report, Animal Folks filed a cruelty complaint against this pet store and worked with residents and city council members to pass a humane pet store ordinance in the city of Roseville. |
MN 41-B-0259
Cancelled
Cancelled
Sept. 30, 2009 |
Barlow, Anson/
Silver Top Breeders LLC |
Edgerton |
|
MN 41-B-0159
Revoked
License was terminated; then cancelled August 16, 2010; then permanently revoked September 2011 |
Bauck, Kathy/
Puppy On Wheels/
Pick Of The Litter |
New York Mills |
Convicted of animal torture. USDA license terminated, but breeder continued breeding and selling dogs without USDA license (USDA license only needed to sell wholesale). USDA license permanently revoked — breeder allowed to keep 6 dogs. For further details: BAUCK |
MN 41-B-0265
Revoked
as of 12/13/13
License started: Jan. 03, 2011 (see notes); cancelled USDA license on January 17, 2013 |
Bell, Dayna/
Bell's Kennels |
Northfield |
Bred, brokered and sold dogs. In April 2012, Dayna Bell was charged with multiple counts of felony animal cruelty by the Dakota County Attorney (MN). Trial held week of November 4, 2013. On November 8, the jury found Dayna Bell guilty of 13 counts of felony animal cruelty. Appealed. Court of Appeals affirmed conviction. Appealed to the Supreme Court denied to hear the case. For further details:
DAYNA BELL |
MN 41-B-0256
Cancelled
License started:
May 21, 2008;
cancelled Jun 01, 2009 |
Bjornson, Linda/
LKB Kennels |
Roseau |
|
MN 41-B-0205
Cancelled
Cancelled November 2007 |
Bonsetter, Julie/
Bonsetter Kennels |
Slayton |
|
MN 41-B-0218
Cancelled
License started:
Dec. 17, 2002;
cancelled Jan. 22, 2009 |
Buehl, Jean/
Furry Friends |
Mound |
|
MN 41-B-0073
Cancelled
Cancelled April 2008 |
Crume, Stanley/
Minnesota Pet Breeders / Crume Kennels Puppyland |
Glyndon |
Still breeds and sells dogs through retail. Website:
http://www.prodietpet.com/ |
MN 41-B-0255
Cancelled
License started:
Jan. 03, 2008;
cancelled Feb. 17, 2009 |
Culver, Kimberly/
K & G Pets |
Coon Rapids |
|
MN 41-B-0241
Cancelled
License started:
April 11, 2005;
cancelled April 16, 2009 |
Jurgenson, Ross/
Jurgenson Kennels |
Boyd |
|
MN 41-B-0240
Cancelled
License started:
Jan. 26, 2005;
cancelled Feb. 01, 2011 |
McAllister, Linda/
HLMM Inc |
Remer |
|
MN 41-B-0246
Cancelled
License started:
Sept. 17, 2009;
cancelled Jan. 26, 2010 |
Murdoff, Larry |
Kent |
|
MN 41-B-0005
Cancelled
Cancelled July 19, 2010; obtained new license under C&T Kennel
|
Riewer, Cindy/
Bark Ave. |
Perham |
Changed name to C & T Kennels. See above. Cancelled USDA license. |
MN 41-B-0258
Cancelled
License started:
Aug. 07, 2008;
cancelled August 16, 2011 |
Special T Pets |
North Branch |
|
MN 41-B-0133
Cancelled
Cancelled May 3, 2011
|
Susalski, Mary Ann/ Fletcher Creek Kennel |
Little Falls |
Was one of the largest dealers/breeders in Minnesota with 1,000+ dogs/puppies; cancelled her USDA license and gave animals to rescue groups. Website was www.cuddlemepuppies.com |
MN 41-B-0049
Cancelled (but see notes);
cancelled Jan 15, 2010; but kennel sold to Patrick Fulton |
Toenges, Lynn/
Toenges Enterprises |
Alden |
Was one of the largest dog brokers in Minnesota. This company was purchased by Patrick Fulton so continues to operate but under a new license and new ownership. |
MN 41-B-0084
Cancelled
Cancelled Sept. 08, 2010
|
Biessman, Melvin and Beverly/
Bow Wow Village |
Luverne |
|
41-B-0155
License started: June 11, 1996 |
Angie and Gerry Wensmann / Highdarling Cattery |
Melrose / Stearns |
7 adult dogs and 8 puppies as of November 2016; licensee had 60 adult dogs and 40 puppies in 2014 (per USDA inspection) |
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