Puppy Laundering Ring Has Ties To Shake A Paw Pet Stores: Lawsuit

GREEN BROOK/UNION, NJ — Two "pet rescue" non-profits in Iowa are accused of passing off and selling puppy mill designer dogs as rescues to pet shops in other states including in New Jersey, according to a lawsuit filed by the Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.

The suit alleges alleges that one of the non-profits, Hobo K9 Rescue of Britt, sold at least 1,290 puppies in total to eight locations in four states including at least 25 puppies to Shake A Paw, which has locations in Union Township and Green Brook, according to authorities.

Between June 1, 2016 until July 9, 2018, Hobo K9 Rescue allegedly transferred five puppies to Shake a Paw Greenbrook (14 Route 22) and 24 to Shake a Paw Union (2195 Route 22), Iowa Chief Deputy Attorney General Eric Tabor told Patch.

Shake A Paw was not accused of any wrongdoing by the state of Iowa.

The designer puppies — including Pomeranians, Shar-Peis, Alaskan Malamutes, Poodle-Yorkies and other breeds — were allegedly sold for a total of $714,510 or as much as $3,600 each.

"No matter where they live, consumers should not be misled about the source of the pets they buy," Miller said. "Puppy laundering obscures the identity of breeders who may have animal welfare violations or other problems."

This isn't the first time Shake A Paw has been connected with puppy mills. In 2016, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs cited the pet shop chain for potential violations of the Pet Purchase Protection Act for both of its locations in Green Brook and Union. (See Related: Shake A Paw Pet Store Responds To Possible Violations)

Shake A Paw did not immediately respond to Patch for comment.

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