UPDATE: Animal activists can't stop puppy boutique from opening

GRANDVILLE, MI -- David Boelkes hasn't given up on his dream of opening the Barking Boutique, which he sees as a better way to shop for designer puppies.

After protests cost him locations in Muskegon and Kentwood, the young entrepreneur is readying a storefront in downtown Grandville for a spring opening.

"We are committed to providing West Michigan with a transparent, safe and responsible way to get purebred and purpose bred puppies," Boelkes told MLive and The Grand Rapids Press.

He has signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot storefront, at 2939 Wilson Ave., in a strip mall, with plans to open in April or May.

Boelkes will face the same organized opposition that successfully pressured The Lakes Mall and Woodland Mall to cancel his leases last year.

Animal activists are planning to line up at the Grandville City Council meeting at 7 p.m. tonight to voice their opposition to the puppy boutique opening in the Grand Rapids suburb.

Mark Martin wants the council to enact a Humane Pet Acquisition Proposal ordinance, which would prohibit the retail sale of cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits, long-lived birds and large reptiles.

"I will also be asking them to do anything within their power to prevent this retail establishment from opening its doors utilizing the current business model," said Martin, adding that he understands there may be little elected leaders can do since Barking Boutique isn't open yet nor accused of violating any laws.

More than 3,300 people have signed the online petition the Grandville resident posted on Change.org, under the heading, "Say NO to puppy mill stores in Grandville."

Boelkes says he is inaccurately being lumped with unlicensed puppy mills. He maintains that the puppies he sells come from licensed breeders and he personally visits their facilities to make sure they are reputable.

"It's not really about creating a new market but fixing a broken market here in Grand Rapids," he said.

He added that he met with animal organizations that oppose the store, and offered to work with them to also offer rescue dogs to his customers, but his hybrid idea was rejected.

The Barking Boutique, at 2939 Wilson Ave., in Grandville is expected to open in April or May.

The shop is located next to the Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce, which has heard from many people asking the business advocacy group to keep its new neighbor from opening.

Sandy LeBlanc, the chamber's executive director, issued a statement noting the chamber is not a city department nor has sway over whether a business can set up shop in Grandville.

"If a business goes through the proper channels, and is compliant with zoning guidelines, the city has a legal obligation to approve," LeBlanc said.

Although the storefront looks vacant because of the lack of signage and brown paper taped to the windows, there have already been practice protests.

They have been organized by Tanelle McFadyen, who opposes Boelkes' business model.

"It's really a horrible way to sell animals," said McFadyen. "There's no reputable breeder that would give their pets to a second party to sell. I think he underestimates that animal welfare community in West Michigan. We are about a very animal conscious community."



McFadyen credits the Bissell Pet Foundation for educating the community about animal welfare issues.

Cathy Bissell, the foundation's founder and high-profile animal rights activist, orchestrated the nearly $20,000 "undercover" purchase of six puppies from the Barking Boutique's short-lived Grand Rapids location. She told MLive at the time she felt compelled to act because she was worried about would happen to the puppies.

Boelkes, who rebounded from the threat of personal bankruptcy after his last closure, is optimistic about his third location. He was careful to make sure the lease agreement doesn't have any loopholes that will let the landlord cancel it under threat of protests or boycotts, he said.



If the Barking Boutique can stay open, he is confident the store will flourish in spite of the opposition from what he describes as a vocal minority.

"The people in favor of me don't want be to attacked," Boelkes said. "That is why they aren't speaking up."