We have a family-owned pet store where I live that has been in business for more than 50 years. They have a good reputation --- and have always sold puppies on consignment. (The family that runs this pet store bred show Yorkies in the past - themselves) and for this reason, they occasionally have Yorkies for sale in their store. This is because they have been friends with so many other Yorkie breeders over the years. But - they have other breeds and mixed breeds as well.
This store is where I got my Yorkie. I talked with the breeder that evening - and to tell the truth - they (the father and the son) talked and talked and talked about my new puppy for so long - how to take care of it, etc. - that I didn't think I was ever going to be able to get out of there and take my new puppy home.
Anyway - I have been back to the store since and have talked with them about the pets they have for sale. They usually have six to eight puppies and about that many kittens. The owner told me that they never want more than that. It isn't a large store - and, they do grooming, have pet foods, and sell pet supplies.
Their puppies are in a huge clean pen - with a chicken-type wire across the top, so that people can't reach in and handle the puppies. People are not allowed to handle the puppies. If they are interested in buying one, they have to wash their hands, and then they can hold a puppy.
I was finally ready to leave with my pup - and they said, "Oh no - he's not ready to go." He was taken to the back room - cleaned up - made to smell good, and came back with bows all over.... to die for - cute! I was told that I should call either one of the owners at home - 24/7 (any time day or night) if I had any problems. But, they promised me that they knew for sure that he was healthy and eating very well.
He was 9 weeks old - and fat and happy and playful and like they said - had a big appetite right from the get-go. He has never had a sick day in his life.
I received his papers in the mail - with the breeders name. I contacted her, and she personally knew the owner of the pet store. They have been friends for years and had raised Yorkies together years ago. She E-mailed me pictures and told me all about my puppy's parents.
She said she has often let him sell a couple of her puppies because she lives in a remote area and has always had a problem with people even being able to find her house (way out in the country) - let alone show her puppies to a lot of people. My puppy came from her dog's last litter.
When I bought my puppy - I was told that its mother weighed 12 pounds and the father weighed 4 1/2 pounds..... and they guessed that my pup would be between 5 and 10 pounds (an honest guess!). Well - he took after his mother and weighs 11 pounds at 14 months. The breeder told me that one of his brothers ended up at 5 pounds and another at 7 pounds --- so, I got the big little guy.
Point is - it is true that all pet stores don't get their puppies from puppy mills. My pup came from a very nice home...from a very nice lady. And - he couldn't be healthier.
Carol Jean |