My view on pet store puppies.....

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

I guess by now you know I love the dog shows and the breeds are all the best that is out their. So do yourself a favor, next time you want a really nice puppy, spend a little extra, you won't be sorry, and you will thank yourself over and over, and will most likely have a puppy that you just can't quit bragging about, and a puppy that will not give you any health problem, just a little puppy that will be a great joy to own, and for sure one you can be proud of. Yorkies that are a bargin, beware of. As I said before, you get what you pay for!!!!!!!!!!

I do not agree with you on this quote. I have read on this site, hundreds of times, owners purchasing from breeders, not the same breeder and getting pups with all kinds of health problems and the breeders ignoring them when they request help or a refund! Some pups even die! They are no different than the puppy mills! Just because you purchase a pup from a breeder does not make that pup any better than the pet store pup. I totally agree with everything Carol Jean said. There are more health issues on this site from breeders than pet stores pups. Pet store pups are highly over priced! They cost more than the breeders charge. Yorkies in NY are selling for $2,800.00 in a pet store. Buddy came from a pet store. His has been healthy from day one. He is beautiful, smart, loving and fully trained by 5mos. I paid $1,400.00 for him. When I read some of the nightmare stories on here I thank my lucky stars I bought him in a pet store. At the time I did not know about puppy mills but that would not have stopped me. He has a wonderful home and we have each other. The pups are not to blame. They deserve a loving home like any other pup. Authorities need to go after the puppy mills and back yard breeders. Easy task, they just don't want to do it. All they have to do is see the invoice from
the pet store and go investigate the breeder. If they find abuse shut them down. Too easy or too lazy? Carol & Buddy

The problems we see on the site are from uncaring backyard breeders or puppymill type breeders..... not "true" reputable breeders. I think those saying "buy your dog from a breeder" are meaning buy from a reputable one not any old BYB. And you can tell the difference with a little time and research.

I think some get mixed up on these and think all breeders are bad (not saying you, just others in general).

[Breeze]

It breaks my heart to know that because I bought him more puppys are doomed to this illness. Because I bought from a petstore more puppies ended up in that hell! Yes, I would love to save them all but I found out too late that I am responsible for puppymills because I helped keep them in business. You are right that there may be some petstores who don't buy from brokers or puppymills but almost all of them do and since that is true how can you take the chance that the store you are buying from is one of the rare ones who don't deal with puppymills or brokers? My Pepper's life is hell. My heart breaks everyday watching him struggle just to go pee or drink water. I get up everyday wondering if this is the day that I will have to make that decision to end his life. Please for Pepper's sake don't buy from petstores. If we stop buying live animals from them...they will stop selling them! Anyway, that's Pepper's story. I love him wholeheartedly and he and I will keep fighting for time.

Kathy, my heart goes out to you and Pepper. You are a very strong person for posting what you did, instead of defending your petstore purchase you looked further to help educate others not do do the same. Thank you

[lisatodd]

all i have to say is.....HAVE YOU SEEN THE PRICES FOR THESE PUPS??????
if you can afford one from a pet store, you should be able to afford one from a wonderful breeder with a wonderful pedigree

[Breeze]

We all have done things in the past we did not realize was wrong but now knowing what we know now, can look back and change our actions in the future. Its ok to make a an inoccent mistake but to deny it, defend it and encourage others too make the same mistakes is wrong.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Breeze

We all have done things in the past we did not realize was wrong but now knowing what we know now, can look back and change our actions in the future. Its ok to make a an inoccent mistake but to deny it, defend it and encourage others too make the same mistakes is wrong.

I agree with you

[vainchick5]

Originally Posted by Breeze

We all have done things in the past we did not realize was wrong but now knowing what we know now, can look back and change our actions in the future. Its ok to make a an inoccent mistake but to deny it, defend it and encourage others too make the same mistakes is wrong.

I totally agree. Saying that the millers can't be stopped by us not buying the puppies is wrong because even though they've already made their money, the more puppies the stores sell, the more the millers will crank out for the next batch. If you didn't know better the first time, it's ok because everyone makes mistakes and learns but if you know better and still support the mills, you should be ashamed of supporting that disgusting industry. You can't come and say you don't support them then say "Oh but it's ok to buy a puppy there as long as it tugs on your heart". Well every puppy tugs on my heart, but I refuse to support those jerks. I for one am a TRUE ANTI-PUPPYMILL advocate, which means I would never buy or consider buying from a store, broker or mills.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Breeze

The problems we see on the site are from uncaring backyard breeders or puppymill type breeders..... not "true" reputable breeders. I think those saying "buy your dog from a breeder" are meaning buy from a reputable one not any old BYB. And you can tell the difference with a little time and research.

I think some get mixed up on these and think all breeders are bad (not saying you, just others in general).

That's EXACTLY what I was going to say - No ETHICAL breeder would ever knowingly pass on devestating traits (I'm not talking about parasites - i mean life threatening or traits that could possibly require surgery).......Ethical breeders don't use the word TEACUP ...breed tiny females...or abandon you when your puppy is sick - like Pet stores and run of the mill breeders seem to be doing so often.

we do see many puppies here with all sorts of things - LP and LS being at the top of the list - but there's a big difference with your average BYB breeder and a true ethical breeder - Ethical Stands behind their lines.

The difference with a Pet Store puppy compared to an ethical breeder is vast - you don't know what you're getting 99% of the time. Of course the puppies are cute - but they also MAY be coming to you with a world of problems. Pet Stores and Mills don't care & won't care - and are only in it for the profit.

The reason we see so many puppies with big problems is there are way too many people breeding and selling puppies who shouldn't be.

and Kathy - thank you so much for sharing...Pepper is my hero and always has been ....to know how much he goes thru on a daily basis breaks my heart and good for you speaking up and sharing him AND your experience with people...I know how hard it is for you and hugs to you friend....

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by red98vett

That's EXACTLY what I was going to say - No ETHICAL breeder would ever knowingly pass on devestating traits (I'm not talking about parasites - i mean life threatening or traits that could possibly require surgery).......Ethical breeders don't use the word TEACUP ...breed tiny females...or abandon you when your puppy is sick - like Pet stores and run of the mill breeders seem to be doing so often.

we do see many puppies here with all sorts of things - LP and LS being at the top of the list - but there's a big difference with your average BYB breeder and a true ethical breeder - Ethical Stands behind their lines.

The difference with a Pet Store puppy compared to an ethical breeder is vast - you don't know what you're getting 99% of the time. Of course the puppies are cute - but they also MAY be coming to you with a world of problems. Pet Stores and Mills don't care & won't care - and are only in it for the profit.

The reason we see so many puppies with big problems is there are way too many people breeding and selling puppies who shouldn't be.

and Kathy - thank you so much for sharing...Pepper is my hero and always has been ....to know how much he goes thru on a daily basis breaks my heart and good for you speaking up and sharing him AND your experience with people...I know how hard it is for you and hugs to you friend....

Thanks V, you have that wonderful way of explaining these things so much better than me.

[PCMom]

Tonight CBS evening news is running one of their undercover special reports. It is on Los Angeles area petstores. I don't know if they are going to air this nation-wide or only California but this is a very important report and I want to let everyone know about it. It is going to air during the 11 o'clock news. I know I will end up in tears watching it but I am going to just the same!

Brooke, I know that I can't change your mind about it and I pray that any pet you get from the store is very healthy and very happy just like your Chewy! My Charlie was and I feel that we were both very lucky.

V, it is because of you and a few others that I get through each day with Pepper. You always hold me up when I am beat down by this. As you know...we are running out of time Sir Pepper and I...but while we are together we will continue to fight and continue to play! Thank you for always being there for me...you rock!

[red98vett]

Kathy...I want to say this to you although I know I already have.

We've been friends now for a few years and you know I will be always be there for you. I've come to know you pretty well and admire you and your courage ... I adore that silly Sir Pepper and his huge happy smiling face....and I cried when i've seen him having one of his 'dingy' spells...

I'm totally dreading the day when Pepper leaves us & and I get scared everytime I see your name in an email - but as many times as I've said I'm still hoping for his miracle .....

I understand now.

YOU ARE HIS MIRACLE.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Breeze

Thanks V, you have that wonderful way of explaining these things so much better than me.

no I don't - you did great ...I just got really wordy I was nodding my head the whole time I read your post -

[vainchick5]

Originally Posted by PCMom

First let me say this is all my opinion.

I've had both ends of the petstore thing. My first Yorkie, Charlie, came from a petstore. He was healthy and just the sweetest little guy you would ever want to meet. After almost 9 years my baby died. Instead of doing what I should have: RESEARCH!!! I went back to the same petstore and saw Pepper. OMG what a scruffy little guy...but what a personality! I fell in love! I paid my $1600 dollars and took him home. But that night we found out that all was not right with my guy. He woke up from his nap with very wobbly legs...seemed almost drunk, couldn't stand up right..he was also coughing badly. Took him to the vet the next day. And after a whole lot of tests and heartache...we found out he had "something neurological" that was what the vet said. After fighting with the petstore for weeks they finally took him back and gave us our money back. But we couldn't forget our Pepper and even though we knew his life was going to be shorter we bought him back. More tests to elimentate various illnesses and we finally had a name: Cerebellar Abiotrophey. An illness that is crippling. It attacks his nervous system so he can't walk, stand, eat, drink, play without help. I have to hold him up sometimes just so he can pee. The vet said we would be lucky to have him make it to his first birthday...Pepper will be 3 in february. I have watched him go from having these "dingy" spells every few days to being like this 80% of the time. He has periods now when he doesn't know what is happening to him and it scares him so badly that all I can do is hold him so he knows he is not alone...and it breaks my heart. Pepper's time is coming to an end because he goes through days when he can't eat. He vomits everyday. He doesn't want to play much anymore when that's all he wanted to do before. I am going to have to have him put to sleep because his life is becoming a burden to him instead of a joy. Pepper arrived at a petstore through the biggest broker in the country. When we took him back to the store the broker replaced the "defective" puppy with a new yorkie. After 2 years of searching I finally found his "breeder" I had to get really nasty for her to agree not to breed his parents anymore...and then it was only Peppers mom she agreed to retire. This illness is genetic...every one of his siblings probably have it. It breaks my heart to know that because I bought him more puppys are doomed to this illness. Because I bought from a petstore more puppies ended up in that hell! Yes, I would love to save them all but I found out too late that I am responsible for puppymills because I helped keep them in business. You are right that there may be some petstores who don't buy from brokers or puppymills but almost all of them do and since that is true how can you take the chance that the store you are buying from is one of the rare ones who don't deal with puppymills or brokers? My Pepper's life is hell. My heart breaks everyday watching him struggle just to go pee or drink water. I get up everyday wondering if this is the day that I will have to make that decision to end his life. Please for Pepper's sake don't buy from petstores. If we stop buying live animals from them...they will stop selling them! Anyway, that's Pepper's story. I love him wholeheartedly and he and I will keep fighting for time.

I'm so sorry about Pepper. This story makes me cry just thinking about it Please give Pepper some kisses for me.

[Brookef18]

I would just like every one to know that I am not thinking for one minute that pet stores are the best way to get a puppy. I know they are not.

But I look at this differently from some of you (Maybe all of you) I feel I saved Chewy from where he was... He deserved a good home and I fell in love with him. I hate what a puppy mill does to the dogs they breed, and how the dogs dont matter the them. But I don't believe that to stop buying pets from pet stores will change anything.

I have a different view is all. I won't try to change any ones mind. But i think it's ok to have my own opinion on this and hope I'm not making any enemies here...

[vainchick5]

Originally Posted by Brookef18

I would just like every one to know that I am not thinking for one minute that pet stores are the best way to get a puppy. I know they are not.

But I look at this differently from some of you (Maybe all of you) I feel I saved Chewy from where he was... He deserved a good home and I fell in love with him. I hate what a puppy mill does to the dogs they breed, and how the dogs dont matter the them. But I don't believe that to stop buying pets from pet stores will change anything.

I have a different view is all. I won't try to change any ones mind. But i think it's ok to have my own opinion on this and hope I'm not making any enemies here...

That's why we're all here and why discussions are good. Everyone has different opinions. No one will change someone elses mind, but as much as one would love to think by buying 1 puppy from a store isn't supporting mills, think about how many people say that. If even 100,000 say that, you can imagine how many puppies that is. Every person and puppy will make a difference. If people stop buying from a petstore, the mills will have to slow down their breeding because more than likely not a whole lot of people will be dumb enough to go to their filthy homes and buy a pup. So their biggest source of revenue are brokers and pet stores because it masks the filthy situation. So yes, 1 pup, 1 person can help shut down a mill, if not at least slow it down to the point of shutting down. It's great that you saved Chewy, but I don't think you should encourage people to buy pups from a petstore because it's not the right thing to do.

[PCMom]

Originally Posted by Brookef18

I would just like every one to know that I am not thinking for one minute that pet stores are the best way to get a puppy. I know they are not.

But I look at this differently from some of you (Maybe all of you) I feel I saved Chewy from where he was... He deserved a good home and I fell in love with him. I hate what a puppy mill does to the dogs they breed, and how the dogs dont matter the them. But I don't believe that to stop buying pets from pet stores will change anything.

I have a different view is all. I won't try to change any ones mind. But i think it's ok to have my own opinion on this and hope I'm not making any enemies here...

No enemy here! I understand what you mean about Chewy...I know I saved Pepper when I bought him back....they had put him in a small cage in a back room by himself and were planning on killing him...its just that I also know that they got not 1 but 2 replacement Yorkies for him...1 because I bought him in the first place (Yorkies are selling, we need more!!!) and another to replace him because he was "defective" (Petstore managers word not mine). I am glad that Chewy has you. Like I said, I would love to save every last one of them from those nasty cages!!! I hope no one made you feel bad because of your opinion. I personally like this thread because it gets people talking and THAT is what is going to save these babies and shut down the puppymills! I respect your opinion...don't agree...but that is alright! Hugs from Sir Pepper and I.