Pet store puppy
 

That's heartbreaking. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

Wow, that poem really touches the heart and makes you understand why purchasing pet store puppies is such a bad idea. I have read many posts on this subject, but this has made the most impact. Thanks for sharing....

That's a very touching poem, but I think it could go much further. I'm actually not that upset that dogs are in cages at pet stores, it's not great, but I don't think it's inhumane. What bothers me about pet store puppies is that up to 50 percent can die on the way to the pet store. The markup is so great that they still make plenty of money when this happens. Puppies have to leave their mommy's way too early in order to look adorable to the customers.

Another thing that bothers me about pet store puppies, is that their parents are very often puppy mill dogs, responsible breeders aren't going to sell to a pet store. Puppy mill dogs aren't just kept in cages all day, they are crammed in cages, and have to relieve themselves in the same places they eat and sleep. They often get no medical care, it's cheaper to let them die, and replace than see a vet, who might even be tempted to turn the mill in. Of course, there is no grooming, and on certain breeds where grooming is not just a luxury, it's a necessity, this can cause extreme matting and pain when the skin grows together. Of course, there are many other cruelties that I won't go into. For those not aware of mills, this site has some excellent information, and this video shows the types of breeders who sell to pet stores. View Investigation Report

Responsible breeder do not sell to pet stores because a pet store will not refuse to sell to anyone, if you got the money, you got the dog. Responsible breeders understand that not everyone should have a dog, and not every breed is right for every person. Responsible breeders place a puppy in a home where they can be fairly sure the puppy will be able to adjust to the family's lifestyle. Over 50% of dogs euthanized are owner surrenders, this means that owners are not be chosen properly, and since pet stores don't do any interviewing they are definitely part of the problem.

All excellent information! Thank you :)

VERY well said, Nancy! Great post.

That poem hurt my heart! Sad but true.

Nancy,
Your always so eliquent in choosing your words.
Always enjoy reading whatever you post because it always
make so much sence. Yes, it's so scary where these poor
puppies end up! Breaks your heart.

I always tell Buddy he's lucky I found him because not eveyone
wants a moose for a Yorkie:p I know he would have been a
disapointment to some other person and the thought of where
he would have wound up is frightening.

I so wish they would bann selling live animals in pet stores.

And that just made me bawl like a baby.
so very true :(

Anyone only looking at size in a dog doesn't deserve any dog in my opinion. Buddy has so many wonderful qualities, and his coat is awesome, which is such an asset! I don't think many people understand the benefits of a silk coat or they would be talking about it all the time, and not just size. You know, you are the lucky one! :D

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I just read a story about how they had to cut a dog from the cage because her fur and grown to it from years of living in the small cage and no grooming :(

This hurts the heart ): . Poor things; they do not deserve that.

Isn't that awful, I've seen so many pictures of this, and I don't think many of the states have addressed the grooming issue because it's so breed specific, but every breed needs certain things done, nails clipped and things like that. Also, teeth are often let go, and of course pregnancy is really hard on the female's teeth, and no care is given to them.

I also want to remind everyone, that millers are turning to the internet to sell, they sell to brokers also, who know how to market, and they know how to design adorable websites that will appeal to different types of customers. They will show pictures of wholesome families, and kids playing with dogs, and you think the puppy you're buying is raised in a warm, loving environment. Please don't be misled, the only way you can ensure you are not condoning the torture of millions of dogs a year is to see the kennel conditions for yourself, and encourage others to also do this. If a breeder won't let you see where the dogs are kept, find a different breeder! The puppy buyer can put the mills out of business in a few years if everyone would check out the breeder before buying a dog. Everyone has too many excuses, and say they are too busy to check out the breeder, or feel like they can learn enough by talking over the phone. Of course, this is ridiculous, the poor breeder knows what to say, and they aren’t going to admit to what they are doing.

I was just reading a post by Manolo's Mom that in Mexico they "euthanize" the unwanted dogs by putting water on a concrete floor & electrocuting them. Of course, a lot of these dogs are produced by puppy millers. :angry:

Great info as always Nancy, thank you! :thumbup:

I'm not sure they have as many puppy millers in Mexico as we do in the United States, the excess dogs in Mexico and other South American countries, is said to be due to the expense of neutering and spaying, and staving dogs literally run the streets. It's not unusual to see Mexicans very afraid of dogs, even small dogs because they haven't had the same experiences that Americans have had with them. As our laws get tougher in the U.S. regarding kennel conditions, the importation of dogs will be the next big problem, and there are groups that are trying to regulate this, because obviously a humane kennel in this country can't compete price-wise with kennels in other counties, which have no regulations. They say China is the next big market to import dogs, makes you wonder about those kennel conditions, but the U.S. is so bad, we certainly can't point fingers.

They were bringing them over in droves into Arizona from Mexico until 9/11...There were many articles how they were stuffed into cars and then sold on street corners. It might still be going on but there are bigger issues to be reported on border issues.

Not knowing anything about puppy mills and the way dogs were bred, we did get Hot Rod from a pet store. I am sitting here crying reading that poem. I know that it is cycle and it needs to be broken. I can't tell you how often I think of what Hot Rod may have gone thru to get to us and it does pain me when I think of it. He is from Missouri and he got all the way here to MD so I think about how scared he must have been being taken from his mother and siblings and how he must have been kept while being transported. I just hold him closer at those times and Thank God that he is here with us to be safe and loved and cared for.

I know now that it is wrong after learning so much here about puppy mills and the conditions of these poor dog but I can not imagine life without him.

Animal shelters and helping. I can't do it. I went down to the shelter to see if I could help, you know donate some time. Before I asked, I took a walk around. It broke my heart, it hurt so bad. It is a kill shelter but they said they don't have to do it often. It just made me a wreck. God Bless all of you who are so much stronger than I. The only thing I can donate to them, and I do, is towels and things I know they need. You can't donate dog food. They said too many dogs get digestive upsets changing food so much.
I can't believe it has so much an effect on me that I can't do it.
I refuse to go into a pet store where pups are. I just refuse. I'd beat the owner to a pulp.

It is difficult but you can help by sending emails and letters to the politicians to help shutdown puppy mills and the over population of pets that we have here in the US.

You can also help by getting your friends and family to drop off towels and blankets as we head into the cold weather.

Everyone can help in their own way.:)

That poem should be on the store of every pet store that sells puppies:( I was an uninformed buyer and bought Bandit from a backyard breeder, and although I now know it was the wrong thing to do, I couldn't imagine my life without him. Our new puppy Nala was from a reputable breeder and we've had less than 1% of the problems with her that we had with Bandit.

Great poem:crying:

That was so sad. definately made me think about the puppies in my local mall...never thought about what happens at night time:cry::cry::cry::cry:

So sad!!! I just sat here and bawled. :(

that is absolutely heart wrenching...I got Joey when I wasn't very educated about Yorkies or pet stores, and that is just where he came from - a pet store in the mall. I feel so guilty about it often, but at the same time, I wouldn't have my sweet Joey if I hadn't gone into a pet store. I know now where most pet stores get their puppies, and I will never support one again.

Oh please, that makes my heart break, why is the puppy lonely in the pet store, any worse off then the parents who are being cruelly mistreated? The only way to stop it is to stop buying the puppies from pet stores; otherwise two will take its place. Don't be an enabler!

There is no reason these stores can't use their existing space to work with a local rescue shelter to showcase abandoned animals who need homes.

I agree; plus we should take it a step further and not purchase any supplies from stores that continue to sell puppies or kittens. Shut down the stores, decrease the puppy mills.

This is a great post, and I wish every person would read it before they buy that puppy at the pet store. And a pet store could help shelters find homes for the unwanted dogs and leave the puppies at the mills. Our pets smart does this they don't have puppies from puppy mills they work with the animal shelter to help find homes for the dogs and cats that they have. It's a win win for the shelter and pets smart.

But he is the cutest thing ever and we ALL love him here on YT! My daughter has a "moose" too and she is the best thing that ever happened to my daughter. YAY BUDDY!! :D

OMG! This is one of the worst things I have ever read!
I hope anyone who does this horrid act drops dead too!

Your too sweet. Thank you. Yes the biggies are so lovable and funny
because they act like they are 7lbs and under and really can body
slam you when they jump on your lap:p