My view on pet store puppies.....

[Brookef18]

Thanks for the feed back... I was feeling kinda bad to tell the truth... I just hope people don't hold a grudge when I go on other threads...I feel like people are really mad at me for having my view about this topic. I'm glad you responded.

[Morkie4]

I was so sorry to hear about your little Pepper's struggle and your heart breaking experience...........I've already made my comments about buying from pet stores so I won't go there again. Just let me extend my sincere sympathy for all you have gone through with little Pepper and how grateful that he came home with you for the TLC he needed.

[YorkieShadow]

I do agree with a lot of this , I'm not on either side. I'm just saying not all pets from pet stores come from Puppy Mills, Brookers, BYB .
I know a few Breeders in my area that sale their Dogs to Pet stores. and their Parents are good and Healthy and they don't have lots and lots of females breeding
Peppers story is very sad.I have heard so many others with sad stories like his. And I feel so sad for them. And I have also heard many terrible stories of others who had got their puppies from Breeders. So It's sad either way. I'm all for stopping puppy mills. I feel so sorry for those Females that are being breed over and over. and how they all have to live, very sad. But by everyone saying Don't buy your puppy's from pet stores their all sick , Just isn't true and it makes a lot of people not want to tell where they got their puppy.No one should have to feel that they cant speak up and say where they got their puppy It's their business.. And I have heard so many Breeders say they make nothing not one dime from their puppies. Yes I'm sure when and if you have some thing go wrong you may come out with a loss. But I do not believe that they never make nothing off of breeding. I think that if Breeders didn't make any money at all they would not be breeding

[gypsyqueen]

I have bought from a pet shop and they come with the same genetic 1yr warranty as a breeder I feel everone needs to understand a lot of breeders are puppy mills too you cant have 50 DOGS AND TELL ME THERE ALL WELL CARED FOR THAT TO ME IS A PUPPY MILL not buying from a pet shop does not mean your not buying from a puppymill.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Brookef18

Thanks for the feed back... I was feeling kinda bad to tell the truth... I just hope people don't hold a grudge when I go on other threads...I feel like people are really mad at me for having my view about this topic. I'm glad you responded.

sweetie - no one's mad - you shared your feelings and I respect that - I hope you didn't think my post was aimed towards you cause it wasn't at all - it's a tough subject all the way around and I don't think anyone really has a solution but I'll say this - we NEED ONE. There is just far too many people breeding and selling dogs these days - it's like this big fad now that people are jumping into for the money and it just sucks for the more popular breeds - and sucks even more for the smaller dogs -

one more thing about mills and pet stores that people don't realize.... is how these poor dogs are transported to GET to the petstores - it's horrible in my opinion - They get piled into trucks and driven all around the country -

It can be fiercely hot in summertime and freezing cold in the winter - they get sick and many die .....not to mention ....how scared they must feel yanked away from their moms and piled into 18 wheelers like cases of beer -

it's not a great way to start their lives especially when they already have the worst start in life - (being born to a puppy mill or Greedy Breeder that only sees them as cash in their pockets).

also - people don't think about tha poor poor females who are left behind missing their puppies and being bred yet AGAIN so she'll be profitable for these types of Sellers....

It's just a fact that approx 98-99% of pet stores DO buy from Mills ....and I don't mean to sound like an expert on this subject - but saying there are good pet stores out there is like saying there are GOOD IRS agents ...I'm sure there is some 'good' ones - but they're still out to get every penny they can from you. Just like these people are out to get every penny they can from the breeding females and the puppies they produce - no matter what the risk to the mom or puppies health or the unsuspecting buyer that really doesn't know all this in advance.

[Brookef18]

Originally Posted by red98vett

sweetie - no one's mad - you shared your feelings and I respect that - I hope you didn't think my post was aimed towards you cause it wasn't at all - it's a tough subject all the way around and I don't think anyone really has a solution but I'll say this - we NEED ONE. There is just far too many people breeding and selling dogs these days - it's like this big fad now that people are jumping into for the money and it just sucks for the more popular breeds - and sucks even more for the smaller dogs -

one more thing about mills and pet stores that people don't realize.... is how these poor dogs are transported to GET to the petstores - it's horrible in my opinion - They get piled into trucks and driven all around the country -

It can be fiercely hot in summertime and freezing cold in the winter - they get sick and many die .....not to mention ....how scared they must feel yanked away from their moms and piled into 18 wheelers like cases of beer -

it's not a great way to start their lives especially when they already have the worst start in life - (being born to a puppy mill or Greedy Breeder that only sees them as cash in their pockets).

also - people don't think about tha poor poor females who are left behind missing their puppies and being bred yet AGAIN so she'll be profitable for these types of Sellers....

It's just a fact that approx 98-99% of pet stores DO buy from Mills ....and I don't mean to sound like an expert on this subject - but saying there are good pet stores out there is like saying there are GOOD IRS agents ...I'm sure there is some 'good' ones - but they're still out to get every penny they can from you. Just like these people are out to get every penny they can from the breeding females and the puppies they produce - no matter what the risk to the mom or puppies health or the unsuspecting buyer that really doesn't know all this in advance.

Thanks for the response... I didn't take offense to what you have said... I understand where you are coming from, I know the mom's are treated horrible and that these poor darling babies have a tough time in transport to the stores. I look at Chewy's sweet wonderful little face and am just glad his life is better now... I know we can't save them all. And I know there are a lot of horrible circumstances surrounding what he and his Mommy and daddy went through... But I do feel I saved him and I just can't be sorry for that. I am not thinking every one should buy from a pet shop, but I hate to think of what will become of the ones that don't ever get homes!!! You make alot of sense and I enjoy reading your posts. Thanks again for being so caring...
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[YorkieShadow]

I agree with everyone here and that is These puppy mills need to be shut down. I think about these poor puppies and these poor mommy dogs everyday. Im just guessing here but Id say the Pet stores in my area have 40% puppy mills puppies and 60% come from Breeders, No One really knows unless they are the ones handling these sales......and the high prices they make from them. Its sad. But yet theres breeders saying dont buy from Petstores and turn around and sell their pups to Petstores..What I dont get is I hear this all the time Please do not Breed your female Just because you want another puppy.......Why put her in risk? But yet some of the people that are saying this are breeding their Females over and over. I ask why risk her life? I here there are to many unwanted dogs now ( Oh I agree with this 100%) So why are you breeding your females over and over? I hear I dont make one dime off these litters.............Then why risk your female and breed her to make puppies to sale if theres no money in it? If there are too many dogs now? Why chance it?Why make more? Oh and heres another one. DO NOT breed your female under 5 lbs. ( again I agree with this) But yet the same people that are saying this will turn around and post puppies for Sale very small Mommy 4lbs.........Or My friend has a litter of puppys They are very cute will be small both parents are under 5 lbs.......WTH ??? How can you preach one thing and do another? This is not aimed at anyone its just what I see on here all the time..It's crazy...and I have heard put a price on that puppy dont give it away. This way you will know that they really want it..
But I do agree with everyone these puppy mills need to be shut down, These poor dogs need to be loved not used and abused

[vainchick5]

Great post V! Again just to repeat, NO REPUTABLE BREEDER WILL SELL TO A PETSTORE BYB, mills and brokers sell to petstores. I for one, REFUSE to support any of those three. Everytime a puppy is bought at the petstore, YES the mills, BYB's and brokers are supported. Every puppy I've ever seen has been cute and cuddly and I've wanted to take all of them home. But I didn't, not because I'm heartless but because I will not support those people and what they are doing to these poor dogs. I know it's not the puppies fault but it's the principle of the matter. That my money that I'm paying for this puppy, saving it or not, is going to let those a**holes keep doing what their doing. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing I supported them. Just my opinion and does not reflect on anyone who unknowingly bought one from a pet store. When you don't know better it's different than when you know and still continue to support it. You can't say you hope to shut down puppy mills, then turn around and say that it's ok to buy from a pet store.That's like saying I wish people would stop committing crimes, then turn around and buy a gun from the very stores that sell to people who shot others.

[PCMom]

Originally Posted by YorkieShadow

I agree with everyone here and that is These puppy mills need to be shut down. I think about these poor puppies and these poor mommy dogs everyday. Im just guessing here but Id say the Pet stores in my area have 40% puppy mills puppies and 60% come from Breeders, No One really knows unless they are the ones handling these sales......and the high prices they make from them. Its sad. But yet theres breeders saying dont buy from Petstores and turn around and sell their pups to Petstores..What I dont get is I hear this all the time Please do not Breed your female Just because you want another puppy.......Why put her in risk? But yet some of the people that are saying this are breeding their Females over and over. I ask why risk her life? I here there are to many unwanted dogs now ( Oh I agree with this 100%) So why are you breeding your females over and over? I hear I dont make one dime off these litters.............Then why risk your female and breed her to make puppies to sale if theres no money in it? If there are too many dogs now? Why chance it?Why make more? Oh and heres another one. DO NOT breed your female under 5 lbs. ( again I agree with this) But yet the same people that are saying this will turn around and post puppies for Sale very small Mommy 4lbs.........Or My friend has a litter of puppys They are very cute will be small both parents are under 5 lbs.......WTH ??? How can you preach one thing and do another? This is not aimed at anyone its just what I see on here all the time..It's crazy...and I have heard put a price on that puppy dont give it away. This way you will know that they really want it..
But I do agree with everyone these puppy mills need to be shut down, These poor dogs need to be loved not used and abused

I agree with so much of what you say here! I too have been left very confused by the "do what I say, not what I do" attitude!! I know there are bad breeders out there who are not ethical and who don't care about anything but the money...I guess that I feel you have a better chance buying from a breeder you can see then one you can't. Not to mention that if something goes wrong with your pup you can at least have a shot at sueing if it is a local breeder. I can't even imagine how I could take his breeder to court...we are on opposite sides of the country! Its just such a sad situation for the pups and it makes me sick to know that Pepper has brothers and sisters out there with this illness.

Pepper's "breeder" (I don't call this woman a breeder...more tormentor) sent me a picture of Pep's parents...they looked old, sick, depressed and tired. Their teeth were just nasty..both looked like they had cataracs (sp?)....I can't look at the pictures without getting sick to my stomach and wanting to cry! I always wonder how you can look at those sad, depressed faces and continue to breed them. Pepper was transported in a semi from Arkansas to California. The broker (I won't name names because I don't want YT to get in any trouble) pat themselves on the back on their website...saying how wonderful they are, how their drivers stop every few miles to water and check the puppies (yeah right and i believe in the toothfairy too) and play with them! Pepper is terrified of any big truck..he sees one and just freaks out! The list of things he was/is afraid of is too long...but I know that he was abused either with the breeder or petstore.

[YorkieShadow]

PCMOM I agree its the best way. I too would rather meet with the Breeder when buying a puppy, and knowing more of what I'm getting.

vainchick5 I guess I did say it and Ill say it again. I would love to see all mills, BYB shut down. But yes if I found a puppy I wanted from a pet store I would buy it even knowing what I know. Its not the puppy's fault. and not that I want to support them, But because I too would feel I had saved and gave this puppy love.If by making just one of these puppy's happy I would do it. I don't care what people think of me or what they say about me. My love for any animal is the same. If I want to spend my money on a Petstore Puppy then that's what Id do and in the same breath Id still say shut those dang places down, But I don't go into the Petstores because I cant walk away. Those little puppy's deserve the best it may not be the best way to get a puppy and it may be helping support those mills and I would would hate doing that , Just to think of it makes me sick........But walking away with these little puppy eyes on me hurts more. That's why I quit going to the dog pound, While people was dragging or dropping off their dogs. I was buying them rehomeing them. every month me and hubby would stop pick one out and work with it and then rehome it.Crazy ?? Maybe But Its just so hard to walk away from them knowing all they want is love. after awhile we just quit going that way. I'm not saying people should go buy from Petstores..The best way is to meet with the breeder Know or see the parents of the puppy. find out every thing you can on the puppy. But still I cant say I wouldn't buy one from a Petstore never have. But Like I said that's why I don't go in to Petstores.

[Donna Jean]

This is really a tough thread, when you see a puppy whether it be from a puppy mill, BYB, Broker, they all need to be rescued, you are rescuing a puppy at a very high price. I will not even think of going near one, and my heart says take them all home, get them well and find good homes for them.

I feel, when you are shopping for a car, you get the best car for the best price, from the nicest salesman. You want to know as much about that car as you can to see if you are getting the car you are paying for.

The same thing applies to a Yorkie, you are looking at a 15 to 16 year investment. You need to know everything you can find out about that baby before you decide to purchase it. KNOW THE BREEDER, VISIT THE HOME OF THE BREEDER, SEE THE PARENTS, CHECK OUT THE PAPERS, SEE WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS THE BREEDER WILL ASK YOU. HOW EARLY DOES THE BREEDER LET THE PUPPIES GO, DO THE PUPPIES LOOK CLEAN AND HEALTHY, DOES THE HOUSE SMELL CLEAN, ARE THE PARENTS CLEAN, AND IS EVERYBODY AT THE HOUSE LOOKING HAPPY, CLEAN AND WELL ADJUSTED, ASK A TON OF QUESTIONS, TAKE NOTES! iF THE BREEDER IS REALLY ANXIOUS TO SELL YOU A PUPPY STEP BACK, DON'T BE TALKED INTO A PUPPY. YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON A CAR, DO THE SAME ON A PUPPY, THAT PUPPY WILL BE WITH YOU LONGER THAN A NEW CAR. IT WILL BE A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY. THAT BABY IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT PURCHASE THAT CAN MAKE YOU EXTREMALLY HAPPY, OR IT CAN BE A HEARTBREAKER, AND A MONEY PIT. THERE ARE SO MANY RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS OUT THERE, AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM SHOW. PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK, IT WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD IN THE LONG RUN.
DON'T BUY A PUPPY BECAUSE YOU FEEL SORRY FOR IT AND IT LOOKS SO CUTE, THE BEST THING TO DO IS NOT GO NEAR A PET STORE, THE LAST ONE I WENT TO, I SPENT OVER 400.00 GETTING TREATS AND TOYS FOR ALL THE LITTLE BABIES THAT WERE THEIR AND UP FOR ADOPTION. i WANTED TO TAKE THEM ALL HOME, AND I WENT HOME CRYING BECAUSE ALL THOSE DOGS AND PUPPIES DID NOT HAVE A MOM AND DAD TO LOVE AND TAKE CARE OF THEM. i KNOW WE ARE ALL ON THIS SITE BECAUSE OF THE LOVE AND COMPASSION WE HAVE FOR ANIMALS.

WHEN YOU KNOW EVERYTHING YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THAT PUPPY AND ARE HAPPPY WITH EVERYTHING, THAT IS THE TIME TO MAKE THE PURCHASE, NOT BECAUSE YOU ARE FEELING SORRY FOR A PUPPPY.

[Fulrtonchigirl]

My fiance bought Sonia from the pet store. She is very healthy and in good shape. She has no behavior problems. Just the basic potty problems. She is from a breeder in kansas. Cedar lane breeders. Ive seen her baby pictures online and the petstore even paid more for her then what we did. She was a little pricey. My vet said she is perfect so far...She's my baby....Even though she keeps pooping around..

[SnowWa]

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

[Brookef18]

I never want to look at a puppy as a purchase. They are family members! I figure I love my little guy come what may... So far he is healthy, well behaved, and doing great! If there comes a day when he is sick or what ever I will deal with it just as if one of my CHILDREN were sick or what ever... I don't think you can put a price on LOVE.

I can't compare my baby to buying a car... It's not the same thing. You can not KNOW what will happen with a pet. Do your home work all you want, it does not mean you can know if your puppy will ever have a problem or not. Just cause some one's house is clean and they care very much about their puppies does not mean you will have a healthy puppy for it's whole life. We all hope for the best when we get our babies... And I pray for his health and well being along with my children and husband. You deal with life as it hapens...

[YorkieShadow]

Aint that the truth ...