I shouldn't have gone in but, I'm glad that I did
 

I was out looking for a small de-matting comb today. Petco's were too expensive...I (not really wanting to) went into a Pet Store (all about animals)....Well, first of all when I opened the door to go inside the smell nearly knocked me over....they had a pen, with a half door, right as you walked in with about 7 or 8 puppies in it...only 1 puppy, a fox terrier, came to the door when I called them over and she kept scratching at herself.
There was one laying by the door but wouldn't come to me...they all looked around 3 or 4 months old...How pitiful these poor littles one looked...There was 1 bowl of food which had hardly any food in it and a water bottle...There was a puppy laying on the floor TRYING to eat out of the dish that had shredded paper in it...the pup had shredded paper hanging out of his mouth because his bowl was full of it! Most of the puppies were just sleeping....There were 4 more pens.....as much as I didn't want to go look.....I did....O MY GOD!! first one had several guinea pig, second had several rabbits...the third had approximately 12 puppies in it...NONE of them even moved when I clicked my nails on the half wall! I stood there just staring at them to see if they were breathing....they were but, wouldn't move or even look up! there were 3 bowls in this pen....NO WATER AND NO FOOD!! The last pen same thing...most of the dogs were sleeping and NONE would come to me...the puppies seemed to get older in each of the pens...I guess they keep the young ones in the front. ALL the pens had shredded paper in them...I understand this may make it easier to clean up the mess but, they should have the bowls of water and food on those stands so the paper doesn't get into it.... to say the least I was BULLSH**!! They didn't have the de-matting comb I wanted and even if they did I wouldn't have bought it...as I was leaving a very young girl was walking to the register...I asked her if she worked there...she said yes...I just looked at her and pointed and said "that pen over there....the puppy is trying to eat and is eating the paper cause he can't get to his food and that pen over there with 12 puppies in it has NO WATER AND NO FOOD IN IT! She just looked at me and said OH! OH?????? Well, I came home, called my vet and got the number to MSPCA...they have a number to report pet shops....I am calling tomorrow..called tonight and they are closed....THEN! my daughter told me that this woman has had several complaints placed against her...and come to find out she had a pet store under a different name that was shut down!!!


Well, I am reporting her tomorrow...hopefully they will check her out and shut her down...I told myself (after going into a pet store several years ago) that I would NEVER go into one again....these puppies were dirty and smelly....didn't look happy at all....I am just so angry!!!

sorry this was so long but I am PI$$ED!

thanks for letting me vent!

I am so glad to say that I have never been in a pet store like that. I never knew for the longest that those pups came from mills, but i never came across anything like that. That is just horrible.

I don't blame you at all!

I hate pet stores. I've only been inside one that I actually had nothing against...they only sold fish and did koi ponds, had bunnies at easter. You could buy certain dog/cat supplies in one section, but they did not sell puppies or kittens.

It's terrible to think that (in some cases I'm sure because I've seen it) there are 16 year old kids taking care of 6-? week old puppies who have no knowledge THAT SHOULD BE REQUIRED to go along with the job other than running the register! I'm sure alot of them are just waiting to get out of there so they can go spend their gas money they've earned that week!
I realize teens have to work and not all of them are irresponsible. But I'm sure there are very few working in pet stores that it is anything other than a "job" to them, hope you know what I'm trying to say, not trying to be ugly.

Wow. Guinea pigs (and rabbits) are normally skittish and shy, for them to not move when you were tapping on their enclosure means they were terribly lethargic or apathetic or sick!

I had a similiar experience the other day. I was at the mall Christmas shopping and went into the pet store to see if they had any cute cat Christmas toys. I already got my dogs adorable Christmas toys but am short on cat toys.
Well, I should not have gone in the Pet Store. All their puppies were also asleep, none of them had any toys or food in their cages. They did have water bottles. They all looked so lethargic and sad. They had many types of dogs. They also had birds, rabbits and hamsters. There were 4 yorkie pups and 4 shih tzu pups (which are the breeds of my 2 dogs). I asked to see the littlest Yorkie. She was small and very fragile looking. When she was taken out of her cage and handed to me, she was sooooooo limp and seemed to have no pep at all. I have a yorkie pup the same age, that is on constant go, go, go; so it was very wierd to see a puppy this still and uncaring about her environment. Then I asked the price of the puppy and was told it was $2,189.00! I said "You have to be kidding me, $2,189.00 for a puppy mill pup!". Of course the salesperson told me that their puppies are not puppy mill puppies and that the little Yorkie had 10 AKC champions in her lineage! I told her: "If that puppy had 10 champions in her lineage, she would never be sitting in a pet store". I then pointed out that all the dogs were from the Hunte Corp, which is one of the biggest puppy mills in the US. Needless to say, the store clerk was not happy and kept denying where the puppies came from. However, I was able to talk 2 people looking at puppies, out of buying a puppy from this store. The clerk was not happy--but too bad. All the clerks working in the store were teenagers who probably know nothing about the proper breeding and sale of dogs. After I had talked 2 people out of purchasing puppies from this pet store, I decided I better leave. I had to get back to work and I did not want them to call security on me. But I felt a little better because at least the pet store had lost 2 sales!
I am seriously thinking about printing out information and pictures of puppy mills and standing in front of the pet store and handing them out. My family is against this because they think I will get arrested or at least thrown out of the mall. But I do not see how I could get arrested. People are always passing out flyers in the mall.

The thing that really bothers me is that I remember going into this other pet store that this woman had owned and shut down! I can't believe that they actually let her open another one under a different name....I believe that anyone that works in a pet store should have some knowledge of the pets being sold (I am not saying I agree with selling puppie and kittens in stores because I DON'T) but, at least if they had someone in there that cared about the animals it would at least help out the animals...

TO D*** BAD for the clerk!! I glad you botched her sales...what is it that people don't understand!!! If we could stop these stores from selling puppies and kittens this would hurt the puppy mills....I know some of you here have bought from pet stores and had good luck with your babies...I am happy about that but, it still keeps the puppy mills in business. shutting mills isn't going to do anything. A law needs to be passed that puppies and kittens CANNOT be sold in stores...MO

:mad: I hate seeing that...
Almost the same thing happened to me the other day..I was at this popular mall and they have a store that sells puppies..So I walk in cause I can't resist saying hi to the cuties...and this tiny little dog is just sitting in his cold cage with poop all over his face and paws! I walk up to the worker who wants nothing to do with me and sends me to someone else and this person goes..oh..i'll clean that right up(she gave me the worst look like whats your problem?!?)..SURE YOU WILL..she takes the puppy and puts him in a pen...rinses off the cage and throws the pup back in..there was still poop all over the pups face she barely wiped the cage and just totally ignores me and hides in the back room:mad: It was the same with about 5 other cages in the store..who would even consider buying a puppy with poop all over its face?!?

I agree. That's so sad and those poor puppies already gave up...they really do tear your heart in pieces and that's why I can't step foot in a pet store

you're so right - I wish they weren't allowed to sell dogs and cats too:(

I've never been in a pet store that sold puppies or kittens and I'm glad. I'm afraid I'd nut up!

boy that's terrible!
 

I have never seen any thing like what you are describing! i would be upset too!

I'm so glad our pet store isn't like that! I was in there the other day and all the staff members (4 of them each had a pup in their hands and were waiting for the vet to check them out. ) I was standing there petting each pup and asking all kinds of questions. I was told the vet comes every week but this was the first time I had ever seen him! He seemed to be doing a good job... taking his time. I was glad to see it.

I have heard how bad pet shops can be but Thank God this one takes care of the pups. They are still in cages and that is sad but they are clean, and the cages are clean, and they have toys, water and food. The staff almost always have one or two pups out to play with... Sorry you had to see that horrible store. I hope they close it down!:mad:
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The pet sore I got Rosie from wasn't like that at all. The pups were playful and looked happy and healthy.I have said it once and I will say it again. Saying all pet stores that sell puppies are bad because of a few petstores is like saying all breeders are bad because you went to see some puppies at a certain breeder house who had the puppies in a dirty unkept envoirment.
Not all petstores are the same.

That is soooo horrible and sad!!! I am sooo glad that I don't have any of those pet stores by me......OR if I do, I don't know about them.

Good for you for making a call......I hope something gets done about that!

So sad....just awful, AWFUL!!!

I'm sorry you took it that way...but, I didn't say all pet stores were bad... We ALL know where these poor little puppies are coming from. You usually will not find a breeder bringing their puppies to a pet store to sell...they are over handled, handled by children, are not fully vaccinated and allowed to walk on the floors and contract what ever has been brought in on peoples shoes. They are kept in cages for most of their stay in the pet store...and what happens to the ones that don't sell? We ALL know where these poor little ones come from...do the mills take them back? This was only my opinion and I didn't post this to "stir any pot" I just posted what I saw and how I feel about it...I WILL contact the MSPCA tomorrow and report them...No animal should have to live the way these poor puppies are living. It's just not fair.

I have a question tho....because I feel bad for the puppies that aren't bought at petstores. I mean atleast they will be saved, hopefully by good ppl and taken to a vet and cured. But what happens to puppies in petstores that are not bought, like when they get older, then where do they go???

You are absolutley right! they do need to be saved but, buying from pet stores only supports puppymills. And I would like to know where the un-purchased puppies go too. very good guestion

I haven't been in a pet store that sells puppies for a very long time. I do realize where they get the pups from. I, too, have often wondered what happens to the pups that get older and don't sell. I guess they may reduce the price or something but what becomes of the ones that don't find a home. I shudder to think....

I never said YOU did. And no we don't know where they ALL come from, now do we?
The pet store where I bought Rosie did not allow children to handle the pets, any would not allow me or any one else to put them on the floor.They disinfected a counter before I could put her down.
I have a opinion to just as you do and have a right to say mine.

Wow I have never seen a place like that. I would be upset too. If they cant keep their place clean and care for the babys they need to be closed down

All the pet stores in my area have always been clean and if one does go potty they have someone right on it. There is always full water bottles and food and toys out for them . I just went into Petland the other day first Id been in one for years and I was looking at how clean their cages was. and there was people there that was wanting to check this and that puppy out and They would get the pup out and have them set in this little blocked off spot off to the side and they kept an eye on them .and all those puppies seemed healthy and very playfull we saw 5 Yorkies that day.

In the pet store here, not only are the pups clean and the cages clean, but they won't let you handle a pup unless you sanitize your hands before you handle them.
It is still very hard to see the poor babies in cages though. They rotate the pups and bring them out to play in a closed off room with a half wall but you still want to rescue them all...
My daughter goes every week with her friends to play with the pups... So she keeps me up dated on things.

Un-purchased dogs ....
 

I was in Petco watching the dogs get groomed ... a woman was watching for her Yorkie so I decided to wait and see how the grooming came out. We started talking and she got her Yorkie (who had a beautiful silky coat but a long muzzle) ... from the same place I got my sweet dog ... she paid $400, One-fourth what I paid. She said it was because the dog was a year old. So itz called an adoption ... but the dog had NO verve ... when she put her down on the floor the dog cowered behind her legs ....
So thatz one story .... At least she was in a home with ppl who loved her.

I'm not debating -

but PETLAND is awful here in houston. That is the last time I stepped foot in a pet store - the puppies were in such sad condition my heart broke - PETLAND is the BIGGEST BUYER in the country of puppy Mill dogs - they are the #1 supporter of mills.

IF there was ever a store that should be stopped from selling puppies - I think that's the one....it's very sad when a single chain buys thousands of puppies & keeps the mills in business.....

and Brenda - GOOD luck with your mission - I hope someone listens and at least checks them out for the sake of the dogs...someone has to speak for them - so why not it be you ?? Go Girl and all the best -

I have heard alot of horror stoies about petland. I agree they need to be shut down.
All I'm saying is they are not all the same as far as the care they give the animals. Alot of focus is on educating everyone about the petstore puppymills connection. I think when you look at the bigger picture, brokers are probably a higher percentage. We see that all the time also. Ads in newspapers,swap meets...etc. brokers are everywhere.
I don't not support puppymils and everyone has a right to their opinion about me for buying Rosie from a petsore, just as I have a right to do so.
We all have a right to make our own choices. :)

Thanks for all YOUR support Villette!

I called this morning but, got a machine...I am going to call Monday in hopes to speak to a live person...if not I will leave a message...I'll let you all know how I make out!

ps! thanks for the response V! ;)

That's what most posts about pet stores ARE trying to do. I know from my own personal standpoint I didn't know what a puppy mill even was before joining yorkie sites. There's no stigma attached for those who bought from a petstore - it's more about just getting the word out that they do buy a huge percentage of mill puppies - and if that was stopped -there wouldn't be so much mass breeding. I doubt it will ever be completely regulated - but puppy mills at their worst are HELL HOLES.

on the upside of what I said about Petland - the Petco and Petsmarts here in houston only do Adoptions - which I think is great - I haven't really read enough to know if this is all across the country - but as far as ones I go in - they seem to be on the animals side and don't actually 'sell' puppies here in houston. But Petland sure does ...the one I was in bothered me for a long time after walking out.:( :( :( :(

Petco and Petsmart nationwide only do adoptions. There is a sign on our Petsmart where they say they do that because there are so many dogs that need too be adopted in shelters and they want that to be their focus.

Thank you - That's good to know....Those are the only 2 stores I'll go in now since Petland is a danger zone for me - I used to joke with my husband I was going to chain myself to Petland after going in there - he actually believed me lol -

I hope you DO make that call and shut that place down! :thumbup:

No animial should have to live that way, thats so sad. I hope they adopt those animals out at no cost!!