Growing up before our eyes (in a cage)
 

This has been on my mind non-stop since my sister told me about it yesterday.

There's a pet store in a local mall right near the entrance. My sister visits that mall nearly every day for some reason or another. She passes by that pet store upon entering and leaving. About 5 or 6 months ago she noticed they had a yorkie, and since she's fallen in love with the breed ever since I got JoJo, she wanted to go inside just to see him for a few moments. Now both my sister and I area aware of how these stores get these dogs, and we both know to never buy a pet store dog or support these businesses.

Anyway, this was months ago, and this little yorkie was just a baby then. However, she told me that he is still there to this day, and is still in the tiny cage he was in on day 1. He CAN BARELY EVEN MOVE IN THERE. She said he looks full grown. OMG, I want to go and punch the owner of that store in the face!!!!!!! So anyway, my sister sees a sign saying he is now $750 OFF. Well, she thinks it's probably because he's been there for so long and is pretty much full grown, and since most people want a puppy, he's probably really cheap now. Even though she doesn't support this place, her heart was breaking for him so she inquired as to how much he is now because she wanted to get him out of that tiny cage. She's a 20 year old college student with hardly no income, so a couple hundred dollars is a lot to her. She figured that at $750 off, he would only be around 1-2 hundred, but even though it would hurt her wallet, she would pay it just to rescue him from that prison. But she was wrong....he was $800 AFTER the $750 OFF, meaning he was originally $1,550. She couldn't believe how much these places mark these dogs up, considering where they really come from.

Anyway, she didn't get him, although we're both heartbroken for him and his condition in that tiny cage. I still can't get over that he can hardly even move or stand up in there. I understand illegal operations that are well-hidden and not obvious to the public, but this is happening right in front of our faces, yet we can't do anything about this???? I'm so angry right now I can't even think. Isn't there ANYTHING I can do??

Oh God that makes me so sad.

Heartbreaking :(

Why not try calling the Humane Society and see what they say?

Humane Society Of Macomb11350 22 Mile Road Shelby Township MI48317
(586) 731-9210

It's cruel and inhumane.

Thats heartbreaking, I hope something can be done to save this baby soon.

How heartbreaking. It's so sad to see those puppies live like that...and know where the came from is even worse. :(

I'm glad your sister didn't support this store even though it's hard to leave him there...I would want to rescue him too :( I'm really glad they didn't get their $1550 for him though. A call to the humane society cannot hurt anything...

Has your sister looked into rescue? The adoption fees are very minimal and not all of them come from puppymills...some are very nice whose owners just cannot keep them anymore.

My first impulse was to organize a picket in front of this store. If it wasn't so far away from me I'd be out in the garage painting a sign right now. How can anybody treat any living thing this way?

Can you perhaps do a protest outside of the store? Or get the media involved? I know it might sound a bit extreme, but it sounds like he's being treated horribly. I hate pet stores and puppy mills :mad:

I know the store you are talking about. Haven't been there lately though (just to look and give some lovin', never buy anything there). I'm so :mad:. The humane society in that area is not good and if he is taken by them, he'll likely be euthanized (which may be for the best. :( ). I wonder about animal control. Not sure how the laws work because he has food, water, and shelter. I want to go hold him. :(

Great minds ;) Seriously, though, I would so be there. Where do you live?

If the Humane Society can't help you try contacting Best Friends.

http://www.bestfriends.org/

ETA:
State Pet Shop Laws
They are abiding by the law unless he can't turn around freely or stand up.

What an awful situation!

I would recommend two things (no idea if either of these will work, just what I would try):

First, maybe your sister can go back to the pet store and offer some nominal amount, maybe fifty dollars. Have her ask what happens to animals who are never purchased. She can give them her name & number and ask them to consider her offer before they dump the animal. I would do this as nicely as possible. The point is not to condemn the pet store, but to help the dog.

If that doesn't work, and you have time, seriously, I would picket. Even a couple people standing outside and handing out flyers is very embarassing to the store. At the very least, they will probably move him to a bigger cage to get ride of you.

It's so tough to see animals in pet stores. :(

I think that's a great idea. You can't buy from the store because that'd just be promoting the cycle, but by doing this you'd be bringing awareness to the subject and hopefully saving that individual pup.

:thumbup::thumbup: Totally agree!

That is so sad:( Poor little puppy never had a chance:thumbdown

That hurts my feelings so bad! I hate that. I want to go get him now!!!!! He will never have a chance. What are people thinking? How can they treat him like that? We need to put the store owner in a cage where he can barely move and see what he thinks about it!

Would you mind saying which mall it is? I don't drive so I don't really know what mall is around or in Shelby Twp.

Tell her to call the Humane Society immediately, as well as every other animal-rights organization in her area that she can think of. Hopefully one of them can help.

If the local humane society is worthless, then call the HSUS. I know they act when called upon, if the situation warrants.

That is so sad! Aren't there any state laws as to how much room they must have? I think calling the Humane Society is a good first step. That little one needs liberated! If you can get the actual dates narrowed down (even if you have to act good natured to question an employee) then write to the paper too. Make sure you stir some public opinion against this place!

The Animal Welfare Act (Animal Welfare Act : Government and Professional Resources : Animal Welfare Information Center) gives actual standards that must be maintained for cage size and exercise opportunities.

About the price though......that is not really out of line. I just paid $1500 for mine. But she came from a good breeder that I know. She was actually going to be more but they knocked off a little for me because I am a repeat customer. So, it is not the price that is at issue -- it is the fact that they are perpetuating a horror on this poor Yorkie. First born to who knows what puppymill and then relegated to an existance like this. No real life at all...... :(

I know how much you can want to free a pup from such a place, but I agree that paying money to the pet shop is just encouraging them to continue. They will use that money to order another pup into that same situation. I hve been tempted when I have seen a little one in a pet shop. I just mke myself stay completely out of any pet shop that sells cats and dogs. They do not deserve my money for anything. But the mall has caught my eye with their window display many times.

Welcome to Born Free USA

This website is dedicated to helping animals with a section on pet stores. It may have some information on who to contact for improper care. That is just so sad... This is the reason I can not even go near a pet store. I always end up crying while I am there. I wish I had the means to take them all home with me.

I have often considered printing up a poster and everytime I happen to go by a pet store that sells pets (some just sell pet supplies) sticking a poster on their front window warning other innocent people who might buy pets.

This story has touched my heart. I would call your local Humane Society or SPCA and report this asap. Also someone on YT may know of a rescue in your area. Please keep us updated.

Thanks for making the distinction! My mom had a pet shop for years but never sold cats or dogs. Very against those that do! I sometimes am reluctant to even mention it, even tho her experience is often helpful, because I don't want a negative comment. She loves her dogs though and has 6 now at home. We tease mom & dad as they had 6 kids and now have 6 dogs. We have each been replaced. ;)

Our first family yorkie actually came by way of the pet shop. A lady came in with her that was moving and asked if my mom would sell her. She said NO she would not but she would buy her herself and take her home. She was a little doll! Aren't they all!