Quote:
Originally Posted by Ringo1  I almost b ought a pet store puppy myself using that kind of reasoning. But I had done enough research when I bought my Maltese (years and years ago) that I knew what puppy stores were all about.
But some friends and I stopped in a local pet store after dinner one night - and there was the cutest yorkie I had ever seen. (No idea how old she was). I asked about the breeder and they said they were very familiar with her; from Missouri, etc. (We were in WV at the time).
Anyhoo, I asked if I could bring Ringo in to meet with her and what would happen if they didn't get along. They basically said that she would be mine no matter what and if they didn't get along - OH WELL. No meet and greet.
I kept stopping in even though I knew better. The last time I stopped in; she was still there - only now $1600 as opposed to $1400 because they had added a microchip.
I forced myself to walk away and search for a humane breeder. (Whole nuther story).
Long story short - I can see how easy it would be - their cute little faces grab your heart and it is hard to walk away. But more and more people are getting the message, I think. |
While I hate to speak badly of my state, there are a ton of "breeders" here who are actually puppy mills or bybs. They are EVERYWHERE! And legislation to stop it keeps coming through, but it's always written so that, secretly, it will help the puppy mills and hurt the few reputable breeders that are out there (the last one was actually really bad for farmers, too. Since my parents are farmers, I heard a lot about that one.) A lot of my friends have bought from bybs, and it bothers me to no end.
I have a friend whose mom is on the board for Columbia Second Chance (the rescue where I got Louie) and you wouldn't believe how many puppy mill and byb rescues they take in every year. It's just sad, but there are too many people out there who are ignorant to the issues, even in a state like Missouri, where puppy mills run rampant.
Okay, I'll come down off of my soapbox now
It just makes me so angry!