Puppy Mills

Two years ago, the ASPCA assisted the Animal Rescue League of Iowa with the rescue of more than 500 dogs living in terrible conditions at a federally licensed puppy mill.

Update January 3, 2024: After both the DOJ and the state of Virginia took action against the Mikirtichevs, the USDA finally revoked their license permanently in late December and fined them $25,000 for their atrocious violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

The operator of Even Keel Exotics agreed to surrender his USDA license and over 100 animals after the Department of Justice sued him in Federal Court. 

Zachery Keeler was an exotic animal dealer who sold thousands of hedgehogs, foxes, sugar gliders, prairie dogs, skunks and wild cats every year and hosted animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours of his Michigan facility, Even Keel Exotics.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses businesses that breed and sell animals wholesale, and the agency is responsible for ensuring that these businesses provide humane care.

But that’s not what happens. The USDA isn’t doing its job.