The Barking Boutique in the Woodland Mall has received a lot of protest over the last few weeks. So much so, that the Woodland Mall has terminated its lease and the store has closed.

Before the store closed, the BISSELL Pet Foundation secretly went in and purchased six of the seven dogs that were available. All six dogs purchased by the BISSELL Pet Foundation had health issues and needed to be treated for different conditions. The puppies are currently in foster care and are waiting to be cleared by veterinarians to be put up for adoption. We currently can't release the names of the rescues that will be putting them up for adoption, but as soon as we are told we can, we will be sure to share so you can have a chance to adopt!

According to a press release by the BISSELL Pet Foundation:

BISSELL Pet Foundation was made aware that The Barking Boutique was closing and the puppies that weren’t sold would be shipped out of state. This information was communicated over the phone by an employee of the store. BPF’s Founder, Cathy Bissell, had serious concern for the puppies who had already suffered the plight of being born in a commercial breeding facility and shipped across the country to Michigan from places as far as Oklahoma at only a few weeks of age. Therefore, BISSELL Pet Foundation arranged for the undercover purchase of six of the puppies. No questions were asked at the time of purchase about the customer’s homes, experience with pets or other questions that a responsible breeder or shelter would ask. With each sale of a puppy, the store owner presented a "pet adoption certificate'; don't be confused, purchasing at a puppy store is not adoption. Pet adoption is the process of taking guardianship and responsibility for a pet that a previous owner abandoned or released to a shelter or rescue. And be warned that a high price tag does not mean a healthy dog. All six of these puppies were underweight and have health issues ranging from coccidia, to upper respiratory infections, to diarrhea and one case of luxating patellas. They are currently being fostered by experienced pet owners while BISSELL Pet Foundation continues to evaluate their health. The puppies will be available for adoption through a local rescue organization once they have veterinary clearance.

Today on the show, Cathy from the BISSELL Pet Foundation called in to talk about the entire situation. You can listen to the interview with Cathy here:

Even though BISSELL Pet Foundation was able to purchase six of the seven puppies from The Barking Boutique, but one more of the dogs, a French Bulldog, has not been adopted and is set to be shipped out of state. The owner of the shop is refusing to sell the French Bulldog, he has not given a reason why. You can help the BISSELL Pet Foundation recoup the money spent on the six puppies by supporting their fundraiser.

Another way to support the BISSELL Pet Foundation is to attend their Tails and Trails Woof Walk on August 20th! BISSELL Pet Foundation and GR Dog Adventures invites you and your pooch for a 5K run or 1 mile walk around the beautiful and dog-friendly John Ball Zoo property. Get all the information on the event and purchase tickets here.

About the BISSELL Pet Foundation

BISSELL Pet Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to help reduce the number of animals in shelters and to support organizations dedicated to the humane care and treatment of animals through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping and foster care. Founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is an extension of her long-standing love for animals and commitment to their welfare. The foundation is supported by BISSELL Homecare, Inc., a 139-year-old Grand Rapids-based floor care appliance brand in its fourth generation of family leadership.