Federal court steps in after Michigan pet store denies inspectors access

At a pet store in Michigan this January, a federal inspector with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported seeing animals without water or adequate shelter and a sloth exposed to Michigan’s winter weather. Outside, the temperature had fallen 22 degrees below zero.

The inspector was unable to conduct a formal inspection.

The pet company, K&M Pets LLC, which operates Custom Creatures Pet Shop in Saginaw, Michigan, denied the inspector full access to its animals and records, according to a press release by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).¹ Last week, a federal court temporarily barred K&M Pets LLC from blocking inspectors, ordering it to comply with federal oversight required under the Animal Welfare Act while a civil complaint against the company proceeds.

K&M Pets sells dogs and exotic animals and offers animal encounters at its Saginaw facility. According to the complaint, K&M Pets has repeatedly refused to allow USDA inspections of its facilities, animals, and records required under the Animal Welfare Act.¹

Licensed dealers and exhibitors are required under federal law to permit inspections that assess housing, sanitation, nutrition, and veterinary care.

The judge’s order, known as a temporary restraining order, is a short-term measure intended to preserve the status quo. It requires the store to allow inspections while the court considers whether to issue a longer-lasting injunction.

“This case shows that there are consequences for dealers and exhibitors who violate the obligations of their license and attempt to evade the Animal Welfare Act requirements that protect the health and safety of the animals in their care,” Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, said in the DOJ statement.¹

USDA General Counsel Tyler Clarkson said the action reflects a shared commitment between the DOJ and the USDA to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.

The lawsuit comes amid a wider federal push to crack down on chronic violators. In February, the USDA joined the DOJ, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services in announcing a coordinated enforcement initiative aimed at strengthening compliance and prosecuting repeat offenders.

The effort includes a multiagency Animal Welfare Executive Strategy Committee, expanded training for federal prosecutors, and specialized “Tiger Teams” to assist with search warrants and animal seizures.² Officials have also pointed to the continued use of the Asset Forfeiture Fund to help cover the cost of caring for animals removed during investigations.

The initiative followed a memorandum from Attorney General Pam Bondi identifying animal welfare enforcement as a priority. USDA officials have said that although compliance among licensed dog breeding facilities has improved in recent years, persistent violations by some operators have led to renewed emphasis on oversight.²

The USDA referred the K&M Pets case to the DOJ based on concerns about conditions at the facility. APHIS is investigating the case, the DOJ said.¹

For now, the court’s order clears the way for inspectors to conduct a full review, an oversight the government says had been repeatedly denied.

References

1. Justice Department secures order against Michigan pet store owner to allow inspectors access to assess health and well-being of animals. News release. US Department of Justice. March 3, 2026. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-secures-order-against-michigan-pet-store-owner-allow-inspectors-access
2. McCafferty C. Multiple US agencies join forces to crack down on chronic dog welfare violators. dvm360. February 23, 2026. Accessed March 3, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/multiple-us-agencies-join-forces-to-crack-down-on-chronic-dog-welfare-violators