Read stories from the Tulsa World’s investigation into the Oklahoma dog-breeding industry, including a database of inspection reports, related documents, photos and videos.

Hunte opens doors to huge facility

GOODMAN, Mo. -- Steve Rook is the president of a company that buys and sells 90,000 puppies each year, but he would never think of replacing "Jake," his 18-year-old dachshund.

As president of the Hunte Corp., Rook literally could have the pick of the litter.

Hunte is one of the largest puppy distributors in the world. Located in Goodman, Mo., just across the Oklahoma state line, Hunte buys and sells purebred puppies for markets in 30 states that include Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

A significant number of the puppies come from licensed breeders in Oklahoma, the second-largest puppy-producing state in the nation behind Missouri. The breeders are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Jake is my $20,000 dog," Rook said. "He's had two back surgeries and he gets acupuncture treatment but he still gets around. I made a commitment to take care of him no matter what."

A recent World investigation revealed that unlicensed breeders in Oklahoma are dodging federal regulations by selling large numbers of puppies directly to the public through the Internet, newspapers and street corners. Many of the animals come with health problems

Currently, Oklahoma lawmakers are putting together a puppy-mill bill that would require anyone selling or giving away 25 or more animals each year to be licensed by the state. A puppy mill typically involves an unlicensed breeder raising a large number of small-breed animals in unsanitary conditions and without adequate veterinarian care.

After seeing the World investigation, Hunte founder Andrew Hunte invited a World reporter and photographer to tour his facility, which is situated in a Missouri town of 1,257 people.

Hunte, 62, discussed his philosophy, company operations and Hunte's focus on working with breeders to produce quality pets for customers. He also discussed his faith in God.

''When we started 16 years ago, we saw a niche to improve standards and practices and we remain focused on that philosophy,'' Hunte said. ''We also founded the company for God and to carry God's word.''

In addition to religious faith, the centerpiece of Hunte's philosophy and competitive edge can be seen in its facility, a massive, block-long structure measuring 200,000 square feet.

In addition to business offices, the $10 million facility houses climate-controlled kennels, a surgery room, grooming shop, examination room, trucking bays, a warehouse and a retail pet store that showcases purebred dogs that sell for up to $1,000 each.

The kennel section is a state-of-the-art building with hospital-like cleanliness. The section features 13 large kennel rooms that are steamed, scrubbed and disinfected each week by Hunte employees. Each room is virtually odorless and has its own air source to keep out germs or viruses that might affect the puppies.

''Cleanliness is next to godliness, and godliness is next to doing what is right and striving to continually improve on what you know and do,'' Rook said.

Rook said Hunte buys purebred puppies from licensed USDA breeders and from hobby breeders who qualify for a USDA exemption by keeping three or fewer breeding females on their premises.

''We spend a lot of time educating and reaching out to the breeders at our annual breeders' conference,'' Rook said. ''When Andrew began the company, he probably rejected 30 percent of the puppies brought to him because of the quality, but that is less than 10 percent now.''

Hunte's breeder conference in September attracted about 2,000 breeders, brokers and industry officials, Rook said.

Meanwhile, as hard as Hunte tries to deliver healthy puppies, there can still be complaints of diseases and congenital defects at the retail level.

The World investigation revealed that customers have filed several complaints against Petland Inc., a chain of pet stores that buy and sell Hunte puppies. Headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, Petland has 191 stores in the United States and Canada, said Petland spokeswoman Julie Washburn.

Petland customer Amanda Adams said she bought a miniature dachshund from a Petland in Columbus, Ohio.

Documents provided by Adams reveal that the dog was born Jan. 8 at a kennel in Keota, Okla. Hunte purchased the puppy and sold it to Petland.

Adams said she paid $500 for the puppy in May. After owning the animal for several weeks and noticing that he was occasionally lethargic and shaky, the puppy had a seizure and became nonresponsive in late June.

An examination revealed that the puppy had a liver shunt that essentially poisoned his system with toxins, veterinary records show. The animal also has a persistent heart murmur.

''He almost died,'' Adams said. ''He was lethargic sometimes and he didn't seem to put on weight, but I had no idea what was going on with him.''

Adams said she has paid about $4,500 in veterinarian and surgical bills to correct the puppy's medical problems.

Washburn said Petland offered to pay Adams' original claim of $2,695. After initially agreeing to accept that amount, Adams reportedly changed her mind, Washburn said.

Adams said: ''I refused it because there could be ongoing expenses and because I believe they defrauded me,'' Adams said. ''They sold me a neutered puppy and they used the neutering as a selling point, but why would they neuter a puppy unless something was wrong? I feel like Petland knew that something was wrong all along.''

Records show that Hunte neutered Adams' puppy on March 8 before sending it to Petland. Hunte neutered the animal because one of its testicles had not dropped down from inside, which made it a candidate for potential problems later, Rook said.

''We do these procedures because it is the right thing to do for the customer and for the breed,'' Rook said.

Additionally, Rook said that Hunte neuters or spays puppies with potentially problematic defects such as multiple hernias. However, less than 2 percent of Hunte puppies require such procedures, Rook said.

Hunte offers a 3-year guarantee to its retailers, which involves refunding the retailer its cost of a puppy if the dog has a congenital defect, Rook said. The retailer is responsible for all other costs.

Hunte is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is subject to unannounced inspections. Additionally, there are state regulations overseeing breeders, dealers, pet stores and anyone else handling a large number of animals, said Dr. Jerry Eber, director of Animal Care Facilities Act Program for the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

''Hunte has a state-of-the-art facility with standards that you like to see in this kind of business,'' Eber said.

Hunte employs 300 workers that include seven veterinarians, 25 veterinary techs and 16 dog groomers. Each puppy purchased by Hunte undergoes two veterinarian examinations, receives a booster shot, grooming and a microchip for identification.

While the Hunte facility is comprehensive and modern, the facility has an additional feature that is unique, but which fits with the Hunte philosophy.

The facility features a chapel for worship services, which are held each Tuesday and Thursday. The chapel can seat 250 people and comes with a worship band. Hunte employees can use the chapel without having to clock out from work, Rook said.

Hunte said: ‘‘Many lives have been changed due to our focus on God’s word and plan.’’

Tale of puppies for sale

How the Hunte Corp. processes puppies

1. Eight-week-old puppy sold to Hunte Corp.

2. Hunte performs veterinarian check, gives booster shot.

3. Grooming and/or minor surgery if needed.

4. One- to five-day stay at Hunte.

5. Second veterinarian check. Shipped by semitrailer to pet stores

6. Arrive at pet store.

Omer Gillham 581-8301
omer.gillham@tulsaworld.com