I just saw a show on Animal Planet called Animal Cops Miami, and the episode was called "Little shop of Horrors" The cops were investigating a pet store that had a dead puppy in its window I almost cried when I saw it was a yorkie! The cop went into the store to investigate and there were tons of babies with no water, no food, discharge from eyes and nose, puppies that had distemper and parvo - and no health certificates on file. The cops were serious about this situation and actually closed the store down until the owner took all of the dogs needing care to the vet. It's a shame that this is happening and law enforcement should really put their feet down when it comes to puppy stores. I wish PETA would do one of their national PR campaigns about this to get the word out.

You are so smart. I feel the same way! It is important not to make negative comments about people or business entities unless you know from first hand experience that what you are saying is true and is indisputable. If you turn out to be wrong, you have defamed someone.

It is okay, however, to express an opinion because in doing so you are not saying that it is the truth, but rather, merely your opinion based upon your personal knowledge of the situation.

luzangela428: I like what you are doing to educate people as well. If you read the original post on this thread there is a website where you can download flyers to pass out to anyone you happen to meet wherever you happent obe too. If you are in a pet store or in the mall or wherever. Those would be a great resourse for you! You are to be commended for your efforts!

I saw that show - The Pet Store left ALL their animals without food AND water and it was the weekend !

do you remember how many times they went back after giving that totally inhumane man chances to clean up his act ? After - he STILL tried to sell those puppies by getting around the system and having "Not for Sale" on their cages - for the cops benefit -

You just KNOW when the cops weren't there - a customer is bound to ask "Is this puppy really not for sale? " - and Cha-Ching - Another PET Store Sick Puppy Sale ! No cops to see it happen - cash sale - who's to know ? and the unsuspecting customer just bought a puppy needing medical attention -

Information on Pet Stores & Puppy Mills from www.friendsofanimals.org
 

I was just on www.friendsofanimals.org looking up spay/neuter info and I found this. Thought you all would be interesting in reading.

Puppy Mills, Pet Shops, and the AKC Basic Facts

Where do pet stores get their puppies?
Virtually all of the puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills.

What are puppy mills?
Crude, outdoor breeding farms that mass-produce puppies for sale to pet stores and regularly supply dogs to laboratories and animal brokers.

What’s the difference between a breeder and a puppy mill?
The mass production of puppies. A breeder that sells to research, animal brokers and pet shops, and breeds more than three females is a puppy mill. A USDA breeding license is required and the USDA is supposed to inspect kennels to be sure that they adhere to minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act. When violations are cited, kennel operators are rarely fined or shut down.

Where are puppy mills located?
Puppy mills are nationwide. Many, however, are concentrated in the agricultural states, such as Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Amish are mass-producing puppies.

What kind of people run puppy mills?
In rural areas, where puppy mills are a cottage industry, puppies are farmed as 'livestock. They are viewed as a cash-crop.

How do they treat the pups and their mothers?
Because the animals are a means of income, expenses are kept down. The focus is on profit, with their welfare given little or no consideration. Puppy mills typically confine large numbers of dogs in rows of crudely constructed, over-crowded pens. The floors are constructed of wiring to allow feces and urine to drop to the ground below. This causes discomfort to the animals’ paws. Considered nothing more than breeding stock, mother dogs are forced to have litters at an early age, and kept continually pregnant. Mother dogs are killed when they’re no longer able to produce a profitable litter size.

When are puppies taken from their mothers?
Puppies are typically removed at seven weeks of age. They are then sold to brokers who pack them in crates for transport and sale to pet shops. Ten or more puppies are often crammed into a single cage. Transportation conditions are often abysmal ó lacking adequate food, water, or ventilation.

What effect does this trip have on the puppies?
Not all survive. Of those that do, many will be infected by contagious viruses, respiratory ailments, parasites, and other conditionsó caused by neglect and stress.

Are these animals healthy?
The puppies are born in unhealthy conditions, live with their mothers in filth and are transported similarly. The are often infested and weakened with parasites and viruses. To save money, they go untreated by veterinarians. Unsanitary conditions and lack of veterinary care can lead to rampant disease. Parents are typically not in good health, and have genetic problems. Generally, they also have behavioral and temperament problems ó the products of inbreeding. They are not properly socialized because they lack positive contact with humans.

Do pet shops harm animals?
Pet shop owners try to keep veterinary bills and other animal care expenses down to maximize profits. Puppies rarely get the attention they need to become well-adjusted. Since they are not properly socialized, they are often returned, or dropped at a shelter when problems are detected.

Are pet shops in the business for money?
Yes. Animals can suffer while dealers and pet shops make profits. It is not unusual, for example, for a dog sold to a pet shop for $100 to be re-sold to a customer for $1,000 ó $5,000. And by their very existence, puppy mills doom other animals. The marketing of approximately 1 million puppy mill animals each year prevents many people from adopting animals from pounds and shelters. It also undercuts the spay/neuter efforts of animal advocacy organizations.

Why shouldn’t we buy puppies in pet stores?
Pet shop employees routinely deny that they purchase from mills, or brokers that trade in puppy mill animals. They claim that they purchase puppies from 'reputable breeders and that the AKC papers prove it. As long as pet store customers purchase puppies, puppy mills will have a market. If you purchase a puppy, another animal will take it’s place. The mothers of the pups will continue to suffer.

Does the AKC inspect the breeders?
The AKC does not inspect kennels, nor does it vouch for the health or well-being of a puppy.

Are AKC - registered dogs guaranteed?
No. AKC registered simply means the puppy had two parents of the same breed. The AKC registers dogs and gives them 'papers which help to sell them in pet shops or at breeders’ kennels.

Does the AKC make money from puppy mills?
Yes, lots. Puppy mills comprise 80% of the AKC’s business. It registered 917,247 puppies in 2003 at the cost of approximately $25.00 per puppy.

Doesn’t the USDA protect these animals?
Wholesale dog breeding and the shipment of live animals are regulated by the USDA under the 1970 Animal Welfare Act. The Act requires breeders to be licensed, inspected, and regulated to ensure the very minimum standards of housing, care, and medical treatment.

The law, however is poorly enforced. The USDA has few agents to inspect approximately 5,000 puppy mills nationwide. When they discover infractions, the breeder routinely receives 'a slap on the wrist. Nothing in the welfare legislation does anything to change people’s minds about the idea that puppies are disposable merchandise.

Do state laws protect dogs and consumers?
States generally have an anti-animal cruelty laws to supposedly protect animals from overt physical abuse and neglect. Since under the law animals are viewed as the property of the owner, cruelty is often difficult to prove.

Consumers are protected to some degree by 'pet lemon laws, in some states. The law requires pet stores to refund money for unhealthy animals, pay for medical costs or offer another animal; it depends upon the state. This does not alleviate the grief, however, of a family experiencing the loss of a much loved puppy or kitten.

Where can I find a purebred dog?
More than 25% of the dogs at shelters are purebred dogs. Also, contact breed groups who specialize in adoptions for adult dogs of a specific breed.

Do puppy mills produce kittens, Too?
Yes. Sometimes the same breeder who produces puppies for pet shops also supplies purebred kittens.

What You Can Do To Help:
Adopt a dog or cat from a shelter.

Do not purchase dogs or cats from pet shops. There is no reason to breed dogs and cats while millions are killed in shelters. Without pet shop sales, the market for puppy mills will disappear. Support a legislative effort to shut down the puppy mill trade in your state. Ask your legislators to support a bill to prohibit the selling of puppies and kittens in pet ships. Educate the public by writing letters to local newspapers, distributing compiles of this fact sheet outside pet stores in your area, and contacting local TV and radio shows about the issue.

Friends of Animals

Great post Jenette ...this is so sad !

Are these animals healthy?
The puppies are born in unhealthy conditions, live with their mothers in filth and are transported similarly. The are often infested and weakened with parasites and viruses. To save money, they go untreated by veterinarians. Unsanitary conditions and lack of veterinary care can lead to rampant disease. Parents are typically not in good health, and have genetic problems. Generally, they also have behavioral and temperament problems ó the products of inbreeding. They are not properly socialized because they lack positive contact with humans.

Do pet shops harm animals?
Pet shop owners try to keep veterinary bills and other animal care expenses down to maximize profits. Puppies rarely get the attention they need to become well-adjusted. Since they are not properly socialized, they are often returned, or dropped at a shelter when problems are detected.

I feel compelled to tell everyone interested in buying a puppy to stay far away from pet shops and brokers. The thread on fur changes did take a sharp turned into a discussion on mills. When someone defends pet shops/mills or brokers I feel that I can not stay silent about it. I feel that people need to speak up and discourage people from buying these puppies. The only way it will stop is for people to stop buying them. I too was disappointed that more people didn't speak up against mills. Most everyone agrees that this is not the best source in which to obtain a pup. There are two very important things everyone can do to put a stop to it #1. Tell everyone the true horror of how these animals suffer & encourage people to not buy from them and #2. Don't buy them. Pet shops are not going to be honest in what they tell you. Many pet shop employees may not know where the pups are coming from. Anyone can register an AKC litter but it doesn't guarantee squat if the breeder is not reputable. There are tons of mixed breed puppies out there with AKC papers. We all know that the 2 biggest pet supply store chains (Petsmart and Petco) stay far away from selling puppies for this very reason of PUPPY MILLS. I must say that I have never seen anyone defend or encourage people to buy from a pet shop, it almost leaves me speechless. Please, if you feel strongly about it don't remain silent. Voice your opinion!

For anyone whom has bought a pet shop puppy ...please do not feel badly. It's not my intent to criticize anyone whom has purchased one of these special little dogs. They deserve to be in a loving home just as much as any dog. Some people actually buy them knowing full well that they may have come from a mill. They do so with the intent on rescuing the poor little darlings. I understand their reasoning..I myself have been tempted. But next time around..in the future...please try to resist them (as hard as this may be). But for now, love the ones you have with all your heart.

The reason I haven't posted was because I agree and you guys have already put it perfectly but if it will help I'll add my 2 cents.

I don't think anyone should buy from any pet stores that sell animals. Period!
It is already an uphill battle trying to get people to understand where the puppies are coming from, how much the parents suffer and why rescuing that adorable puppy from the cage is only helping to continue the cycle of abuse. I think it only clouds the issue telling people some pet stores are fine. Too many people won't do the research or look deep enough to learn the truth. Also, how many people will walk in and walk out with a puppy they just couldn't leave behind even if they think it might be from a puppy mill. You hear that all the time.
We need to declare war against puppy mills and if the few good breeders who sell in pet stores are the casualties, then so be it. I would feel bad for them but it is nothing compared to how I feel for the true victims.
Plus, I don't understand why anyone who just has a few breeding dogs needs a store to sell puppies. Sell them from your home - where the puppies are most comfortable.
Everyone I know now knows about puppymills and not to shop in pet stores. I helped my sister find a good breeder and a friend with a rescue. I'm proud to say they knew better because of me.

I don't see how it would be possible to own a pet store and not sell mill dogs. Because no GOOD reputable breeders will sell to a pet store. They want to screen the people that are taking their puppies. Correct?
I thought this my interest you.

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/pet-store-lawsuits.html

You're absolutely right - no caring breeder would do that - and that link you posted (Prisoner of Greed) is a great link for information - I saw it included the Wizard of Claws who has websites selling puppies that totally fool people - she is bad news

Anyone with questions on Mills and PET Stores can click on the links in this site and you will be sick after seeing the lives these poor animals live.

Hmm I was hoping someone would see them. Yeah they all come off real nice. NOT!

[QUOTE=Itspuppyluv]
I think it only clouds the issue telling people some pet stores are fine. Too many people won't do the research or look deep enough to learn the truth.


Erin you are exactly right, that is the problem. but if everyone repeats the same thing over and over then maybe we can save someone the heartbreak of a sick or dying puppy.Not to mention the supply and demand.
It feels sometimes like you are beating a dead horse(sorry for the analogy)but if only 3 people read the posts and one decides against going to the pet store that is one less pup sold and lining the pocket of an unscrupulous breeder and pet store owner.Baby steps maybe, but in the right direction.

I started this tread to give members here a preplanned way to stage a protest in their area. After Recons Momma's story and some of the others we've heard recently about someof the major chains like Petland, I thought it might be beneficial, especially step number 1 which tells you how to coose the store and #2 that gives you brochures to use to hand out to people to educate them!!

Please let us kow if you organize a protest in your area or if you do something similar to what ReconsMomma did.