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The Puppy Barn: A Unique Way of Bringing You Man's Best Friend April 7, 2015, 10:27 amOwners Matthew Milligan and David Warner had never been much satisfied with many of the ways puppies were bred and sold to pet stores and to the public. As well, they had always hated going to pet stores and seeing the animals "cooped up behind the glass in those little boxes." Co-owner Matthew Milligan says that the Puppy Barn is all about the concept that "puppies complete families." That is why he and his partner developed the concept that brought about this unique business they named the Puppy Barn. As Milligan explains, a person can get their puppy from one of two sources. The first is one of which many of us would agree is not ideal, and that is from puppy mills and brokers who supply mass-bred puppies to pet stores at volume prices. Unfortunately, it seems that the bottom line on these puppy brokers is purely financial. The animals are said to be raised under deplorable conditions, beginning their innocent, young lives in miserable circumstances. Although once into the arms of a young child or older dog owner, where their lives will most likely improve immeasurably, it's sad to think about your family dog having started life in such a non-nurturing way. The other way to get a dog, as Milligan points out, is through an obviously far more desirable avenue than a puppy broker. Dog rescue agencies pull dogs (and sometimes puppies) from abusive environments where they often suffer emotional and physical abuse at the hands of uncaring owners. Milligan says that although these are admirable places from which to get a dog, the Puppy Barn is also a caring and responsible resource that offers dog-loving families a great way to adopt that canine member of the family. The Puppy Barn's unique concept involves getting puppies from home-raised breeders. Milligan and his partner, Warner, wanted the Puppy Barn to be "a place local families would be proud to get their puppies from." Those who choose to get their family dog from the Puppy Barn can be assured that their puppy was born and bred by other dog-owner families who not only love their mother-dogs, but who also care for the puppies and give them a happy environment in which to start their lives. Puppies at the Puppy Barn live in a positive, nurturing environment while they await their adoption to that special family. Patrons of the Puppy Barn can interact with the puppies in an open and convenient way, with plenty of rules in place that protect the puppies, along with dog-loving, caring employees who support the process of matching up just the right dog with just the right family. A puppy from the Puppy Barn comes with a free examination. Dr. Caroline McGuire of Animal Medical Services in Orem is highly supportive of the Puppy Barn concept and is happy to be involved with the business. McGuire herself participates in the business by supplying puppies she has raised from her own pets for the past several years. Critics of the Puppy Barn claim that people should only buy their dogs from rescue centers. Mulligan compares these critics and their reasoning to people who say, "Why have your own children when you can adopt one that is already born?" Mulligan and Warner claim that the Puppy Barn is a very unique concept that provides families with a legitimate way to get a puppy. And when considering one of the alternative sources such as a an outlet that is supplied by a puppy mill, where it is claimed that many puppies end up not sold and dead because of the deplorable circumstance in which they exist, the Puppy Barn would seem to be a great option for those looking for a family pet. The Crossroads spoke with co-owner Matthew Milligan of the Puppy Barn. Milligan was himself "born and bred" in the South, in Tennessee and Missouri, later residing in Colorado for seven years, and has now lived in Utah for the past ten years with his wife, and their son, who is 18 months old. They will soon be adding a toddler boy and toddler girl to their family through an adoption that will be taking place soon. Before the Puppy Barn, Milligan worked as a Director of Training for a Salt Lake restaurant management company. Milligan handles the marketing and brand aspects of the business, while his partner, David Warner, handles the operations aspect of the business. The Puppy Barn is located at 364 E. State Street, right next to Gandolfo's sandwich shop, an advertising partner with the Puppy Barn. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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