The Connection Is Easy To Find
Documents called Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) serve as transfer documents between breeder, broker, transporter, and pet store. These documents are available through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). CVIs show these Massachusetts pet stores acquire puppies from puppy mills with extensive and chronic histories of USDA violations, where the parent breeding dogs are kept in cages with lack of food, clean water, veterinary care, and exercise. They live in filth and suffer from physical deterioration and disease. They are treated as commodities and property, not companion animals who have emotional lives and experience suffering. In addition to their connection to puppy mills, complaints about sick puppies purchased from these stores are numerous.
The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), posted informational videos in 2017 and 2018 showing the connection between puppy mills and Massachusetts pet stores
Pet Express
Pet Express is the largest puppy seller in Massachusetts, with 2 locations:
250 Granite St, Braintree, MA
1201 Broadway, Saugus, MA
Pet Express acquires many of their puppies from Menning Enterprises, a huge puppy broker in Minnesota. Their most recent USDA inspection report from 7/30/19 shows 264 adult dogs and 423 puppies on site, a total of 687 dogs. There is no way this many dogs living in cages receive the social interaction and exercise they need and desire. Photos from their own website reveal a cold, sterile environment. Pet Express also works with Pinnacle Pet/Puppy Travelers.
Prestige Doggy Boutique (aka Puppy Boutique)
200 Essex St, Whitman, MA
On 8/19/25, this pet store received 7 puppies from Samuel Brubacker, a puppy mill breeder with 31 violations—many of them repeat violations—including mice feces, dust, and mold in food, exposed sharp edges in feces covered enclosures, and lack of proper veterinary care. These violations occurred through November, 2025. Showing similar disregard for dogs, Prestige Doggy Boutique failed a state inspection on 12/18/25 for poor sanitation and wire cage flooring.
Fish Bowl Aquarium and Pet Mart
425 Pleasant St, Fall River, MA
This pet store acquires puppies from Pinnacle Pet and Menning Enterprises. It also acquires puppies from Becky Busboom, a broker with a history of animal welfare violations and using pig medicine on dogs. Becky Busboom has also worked with breeder Gary Felts, who had his USDA breeder license revoked.