Skagit County/Whidbey Island Kitten/Puppy Buyer Beware

Unfortunately there is a individual that resides in Whidbey Island (originally out of Skagit County) that seems to be making rounds selling mixed breed kittens for $300+ as well as is a breeder of "mini"Australian shepherds on Craigslist and Whidbey Island Facebook groups. This individual was charged in Skagit county charged with hoarding, animal abuse and neglect.

Skagit Superior
Case #09-1-00203-6
Filed on: 03-16-2009
Kristi Lynn (Finch) Thomas
Ausland Aussie's Kennel

"Buyer Beware!!! Do not buy any animal from this woman! She has been charged with hoarding, animal abuse and neglect. She had 40 animals seized from her and was charged $110k from the courts and banned from breeding and selling in skagit county. She moved to whidbey to continue breeding and selling her mixed breed, run of the mill animals. Please do not fall for her lies and enable her by buying these animals. You can research her name and fine it online as it was all over the news." -Quote from Facebook

"Ugh I'm so mad I fell for her scam. This has to stop I can't believe she's getting away with this. I was at her house today for maybe 10 minutes and saw at least 15 baby animals. She didn't let me go in, so this was all out side. She kept bringing them out to show me. I'm sure there was way more animals then just the ones that I saw.Yes I wish someone would have told me. I have talked to (name withheld) and she is how I found out. Thankfully I saw her post or I would have never known this women just ripped me off. I will be in contact with the sheriff asap tomorrow. I would really like at least some of our money back. Which I doubt will happen." -Quote from Facebook

" On Jan. 19 (2009), Skagit County Sheriff’s deputies seized 40 dogs and two ponies from Finch, who runs Ausland Aussies from her home in Big Lake, because of concerns about the animals’ welfare."

"In early November (2009), a Skagit County animal control officer responded to a complaint about Finch’s ponies’ conditions and also grew concerned about the dogs’ welfare, said sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Will Reichardt. The officer thought Finch’s dogs were living all the time inside “crates” rather than spending six to eight hours a day being crate-trained, Reichardt said.

A search warrant was served Jan. 19. A veterinarian accompanying deputies determined that Finch’s animals were in poor condition, Reichardt said.

Professional dog trainers debate the benefits of crate training, a practice in which trainers or owners put their dogs in plastic kennels for various reasons, such as accustoming them to being transported. The Humane Society of the United States cautions that dogs shouldn’t be crated all day and all night, and warns that puppies, which have smaller bladders, can’t be crated for longer than three or four hours, according to the nonprofit organization’s Web site." -Marta Murvosh mmurvosh@skagitpub lishing.com.

DISCLAIMER: This information is public knowledge and thus can be shared.

Please if you are buying a purebred puppy/kitten from a breeder. Buy from a reputable breeder!

Make sure you are allowed to see the parents.

Make sure you are allowed to see living conditions.

Make sure you obtain documentation of vet records.

Make sure you obtain documentation of pedigree.

Refrain from buying over-priced mixed breeds. (This inevitably supports "backyard breeders")

Do a background check on the breeder.

If you suspect someone is a "backyard breeder/puppy mill" or see any type of animal abuse or poor living conditions report that person to local authorities immediately.