Oky, I'll prolly be given a lot of crap for this but ... I bought my dog, kikko, from a pet store near my house a couple of weeks ago(they too had cards with breeders' info who i did call too), but i knew that he probably came from a puppy mill. I visited the store every other day on my walks with my parents' yorkie, who we bought from a great breeder in idaho. It was fun to take baloo there to socialize and see other dogs; I never intended to buy kikko, but after a month or so, i couldn't help it. I saw how sad and unhappy he was and it broke my heart every time i saw him. I knew he needed a good home, to be taken care of, and someone who would truly appreciate him more than what he was worth. even I though i knew there were gonna be problems, i was not emotionally prepared.

At first, he was treated for pneumonia and parasites, but then the pneumonia led to his collapsed trachea, and he is actually still in the hospital - which i made the pet store pay for, even though I would have paid for it myself. I also want to add, that when you buy from a pet store they usually give you a free visit to their vet, but you know what the vet is in on it most of hte time too. I took him to both the vet reccomended buy the store and MY vet - my vet diagnosed him with all the above and is treating him now, the other vet gave a thumbs up (hmph!)....

you should see how bad it can be here ... people sit on along the street with at least 5 or more dogs in a cardboard box trying to sell to people walking by. If they don't sell them in a certain time period, the seller lets them loose in the country. its so sad ... you pay for your peace of mind getting it from a GOOD breeder. I knew what i was getting myself into when i bought kikko, but i love him and plan on being happy knowing i took him away from a horrible environment.

So in my opinion pet stores are BAD and have personal experience to back it, but you can't help but feel sorry for the poor dogs, it was not their choice to be born and given away to places like that. I love my kikko sooo much and will do anything for him. Really think carefully and do your homework b/c it hurts a lot seeing your baby suffer ... and be prepared to deal with the consequences of your choices, good or bad.