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[News] PETLAND Manager Speaks Out This interview speaks volumes! Defend The Dogs Former Petland Kennel Manager Speaks Out November 20, 2008 Former Petland kennel manager Denise Jenke recently spoke to The HSUS about what she says she saw while working at the Wheaton, Ill., Petland: truckloads of puppies shipped to the store by brokers, many of them sick—and customers being regularly misled about their origins. Although Jenke brought her Chihuahua home from the store during her employment, she agrees with The HSUS that the best way to stop puppy mills is to stop supporting pet stores that sell puppies. The following are edited excerpts from an unrecorded telephone interview with Ms. Jenke. HSUS: When did you work at Petland? Jenke: From October 2006 through January 2007. Did you have any idea about puppy mills before? No, no idea. I had never heard of them. Take Action for Dogs: Contact Petland now, and help end puppy mill cruelty » How did you learn about where the puppies at your store came from? When I first started, they [the sales manager and store owner] said the puppies came from 'USDA-approved breeders.' Me, being naïve, thought, "Well, USDA. That must be fine." Then when the puppies came in on trucks, they were in such poor condition. They came in with runny eyes, some were kinda lethargic and nervous, a lot of them were sick, many had upper respiratory infections and had to be put in nebulizer before sale. When I was trained to put [the puppies'] information into the computer I had to put in the names of the breeders into the computer. That is when I noticed that the guys who brought the dogs in from the trucks were not the breeders! I asked the sales manager, "Do these dogs come from puppy mills?" The sales manager told me, "Yes, these puppies are from puppy mills, but we don't tell our customers that. We just tell them that they are from 'USDA approved breeders.'" That is when I did my own research on the Internet and learned all about puppy mills. What were your expectations for the job when you started? It is a business, and they are there to make money. My position was kennel manager, so I thought I would take care of the dogs, make sure they were clean, healthy, and socialized. My job was the wellbeing of the animals. But it didn't quite turn out that way. Instead of helping the animals, I was working to promote puppy mills. Did you have any idea how widespread the use of puppy mills was at Petland and other pet stores? During my interview for the position I asked where the puppies came from. They told me USDA. Since I didn't know much about it I thought, if they were approved by the USDA then it must be OK. What about the dog you brought home while you were working there? He is a 15-pound Chihuahua named Chico. He has a Grade 1 luxating patella in one rear leg. [A luxating patella is a knee problem that can cause lameness in dogs.] He is really big for a Chihuahua! The breed standard is like 4-6 pounds. He obviously was not bred to fit that standard. But he is my world, and I love him to pieces. What is his story? Well, he came in off the truck. When the puppies first arrived on the truck, it was my job to do a quick exam of each dog to see if they were OK. If they looked bad, the owner would send them back on the truck. When Chico came in on the truck, the sales manager was showing me how to do the exams. We are not vets, though! She inspected Chico and said that he had a Grade 3 to Grade 4 luxating patella and that he should be sent back to the breeder. She then talked to the owner who agreed to send him back. I decided to take him home instead. My personal vet says that Chico only has a Grade 1 luxating patella, not a Grade 3 or 4. The sales manager who examined him was not a vet, and she gave a wrong diagnosis. They should have had a vet check him instead of us, with no medical experience. After the interview, Denise said that although she took Chico home during her employment at Petland, now that she knows the truth of the industry she was indirectly supporting, she encourages others to choose adoption. Is there a message you would like to send to people thinking of buying a puppy from a pet store? Yes, you go into a puppy store and you see the puppies, and a lot of people know they come from puppy mills, and they feel sorry for them and want to buy them. Or people buy on impulse. Bottom line is, puppy mills are never going to stop until people stop buying puppies from these stores! People need to be more educated about rescuing or finding a reputable breeder. I think customers who go in to these stores are getting ripped off. The pet store pays like $100 each for the puppies! People think they are getting a "purebred" but then the puppies have congenital defects and other problems. I just wish more people would think more about shelters and rescues .... People need to see what goes on in a puppy mill. When you see it, then it hits you. Jordan Matyas Illinois State Director Humane Society of the United States 333 W. North Avenue, 259, Chicago IL 60610 Office: 312.643.0339 Cell: 312.206.2646 Fax: 312.277.7199 |
Wow!! That was very revealing wasn't it?? Let's see Petland refute that! I sure hope this gets passed around and the word gets out to more people!!! Thanks for posting! |
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I am glad I read this article. It is sad how they trick buyers into buying puppy mill dogs. I cannot believe they buy dogs for $100 and charge the buyers at least $600 dollars for a puppy (where I live). |
Education is the key :When I moved here more than a year ago, I used to go to the pet stores to look at the puppies,this is before I had Beatrice.I didn't realize then that those puppies came from puppy mills.When we decided to get a puppy we knew that we wanted to get one from a reputable breeder. The funny thing is the prices for yorkies at the pet store were about $ 200 more than what we paid for Beatrice.I could tell the difference in the quality of the puppies too.So, you know they're jacking the prices way up from what they pay for the puppies.The breeder that we bought Beatrice breeds and shows champions here in Canada, and her prices for well bred puppies, that we know their heritage of, are lower than the pet stores. So, I guess my point is.............EDUCATION.........If people knew that they could buy a better quality,healthier and well cared for puppy that the breeder can proves it's pedigree......why not buy from a breeder ? Also, they can always cotact the breeder when they have questions regarding anything that might seem abnormal, or just for info. |
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It's so great that she spoke out. I hope alot of people read this... it is SO important. Thinking of all those poor babies being shipped in on trucks and packed in there like sardines just brings tears to my eyes :cry: May God Bless them ALL :cry: |
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Here some petshop owners buy for $50.00 and sell $800.00 and more . One woman have an ad in a newspaper asking for free litters , when someone give her a litter of pup , she sells them $500.00 |
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Go manager...the truth will slow unveil itself...regardless who works at petland they are still human...they will feel for the puppies...and one day will speak for the puppies... |
wow all i got to say is wow i hope my sisters terrier dont get sick:animal36 |
Can you imagine what these puppies go through? Probably way to young to be taken from their Mother. Stuck on a truck for Lord only knows how long...be it cold or hot. Then arriving at the pet store, handled by strangers, sick and if they aren't healthy enough, sent back with no medical care. Sick puppies being shipped back and forth. And we are supposed to be a civialized nation? It makes me sick! Anyone who knowingly supports this kind of action must have no heart whatsoever! :( |
I always went into Berlin Pets in amish country here in Ohio. It never crossed my mind that these pups were from a mill!! My Chloe(who I recieved from my neice when she didnt have time for her)started limping and needed surgery ,after surgery they thought she might have luxar petalla(she doesnt).But anyway,another YTer looked a few things up and found out Chloe came from Amish Ohio,from a puppymill.I have been educating myself ever since,I cannot stomach what I have seen! They are holding a puppy action in Farmerstown in December,I have never heard of these before either! I have been going to Amish since I was little,the shops ,,restaraunts and yes the puppy stores! I have even been there on the weekends these things are held and never heard a thing! I will be outside with my sign and protesting against this one,to give my little Chloe a voice.All these people need to be closed down!! I will never look at those poor little pups the same again! When we are in the pet store I'll say they usually sell atleast 2 while I'm playing with the pups,and these puppies sure arent cheap! It really surprises me because the pet store is really clean and the pups look okay(I guess,I'm not a vet)they just look well cared for,,,,boy was I fooled! |
Wow this really makes me sick. Those poor puppies =[ My heart goes out to them. :mad: |
Although I am sure that most of what the manager said was true I believe she was mistaken about what the pet stores pay for the puppies as by the time they get to the pet store they have been sold a few times already first by the breeder to a broker and then the broker sells to the pet store or whoever else is willing to buy. There would be no profit in the business for anyone at that price. The breeders have to feed and shelter the dogs they are breeding and provide at least minimal medical care for them as well as the pups until they are sold. The broker has to keep them healthy enough to sell so there is a few dollars more expense for them after they have paid the breeder. Maybe she meant the puppies are sold for $100.00 profit over what the pet store paid for them? Just wondering. :aimeeyork :animal-pa |
Have to agree with the dollar side mentioned the previous post. Just did a Google search, Amish Puppy Mills, and got over 28,000 hits. Anyway, here's an older link The Amish: Allegations of animal neglect at puppy mills that promoted the recent search. Let's hope that the recent PA law passed has some impact. |
Best to do is not buy dogs from the pet shops ...only buy from reputable breeders or humane society ..there are lots of dogs there and they get medical attention prior to purchase... Just stop them by stop buying dogs from them!!!! |
My dog is a puppy mill rescue... and I wish people could see what a sad little dog she was when she came home with me. I don't know how many litters she had while at the puppy mill, all I was told was that she had at least one. I suspect more, though. When she came to me she was so sad and depressed. Now that she has been with me a little while, she's like a different dog. I agree that education is the key when it comes to pet shop puppies, but I think alot of people would still buy from pet stores, regardless, for the sake of convenience. Sadly, there are alot of people who think of a dog as a possession, rather than a living thing. |
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Bless your heart for saving one of these babies - it's so wonderful! :) |
Yeah, Someone finally admitted to the truth... Now hopefully people will pay attention and NOT buy puppies from Pet Stores!! Kudos to this woman for being brave enough to admit what goes on!! I cried when I read about all those poor puppies being shipped in on trucks. My hope is that now the truth is out in the open it will help shut them down!!!!!! :cry::cry::cry::cry: Baron's Mom |
Saturday, March 14: National Petland Protest Day If you want detailed info on the central Iowa protest PM me; otherwise find your city below Join fellow animal lovers for a peaceful protest in your town. Saturday, March 14: National Petland Protest Day. Petland Rallies Another nationwide demonstration is taking place at Petland stores from 1 to 3 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated) on Saturday, March 14, and we want you to be there! At these peaceful, lawful demonstrations we will be asking Petland again to please stop selling puppies! Contact your local organizer with any questions that you may have. We will supply the signs and flyers; all you need to do is show up. Unless otherwise noted where to meet, please assemble only on the public walkways in front of the strip mall. Check out our events page on Facebook! Arizona Petland Tucson 6061 E. Broadway Tucson, AZ 85711 Contact Jamie Massey at er4az@aol.com California Petland Roseville 9400 Fairway Drive Roseville, CA 95678 Register at Evite - Login to your account or register to send free online invitations and promote public events. *We will be also holding a drive to collect dog and cat food for the Lucky Paws Foundation. Florida Petland Deerfield Beach (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) 3964 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 Contact Elena Brodskaya at bookworm2471@hotmail.com Petland Lake Park (10 a.m. to 12 noon) 3914 Northlake Blvd. Lake Park, FL 33403 Contact Michelle Rivera at catadvocate@aol.com Petland Orlando (Begins at 11 a.m.) 3920 S. Semoran Blvd. Orlando, FL 32822 Contact Carla Wilson at ArffCentralFl@arff.org *Please bring kitty litter, newspapers, and detergent to donate to local shelters Petland Sarasota 5830 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232 Contact Karen Ankerstar at ankerstar@comcast.net Georgia Petland Athens 1720 Epps Bridge Parkway Athens, GA 30606 Contact Lauren Keller at lckm97@gmail.com Illinois Petland Bolingbrook 744 East Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook, IL 60440-2279 Contact Kelly Franklin at franklin0119@aol.com *Please bring us blanket and towel donations to benefit local shelters. Petland Wheaton 80 Danada Square West Wheaton, IL 60187 Contact Gloria DeLuco at glor351@comcast.net Iowa Petland Iowa City (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) 1851 Lower Muscatine Rd. Iowa City, IA 52240 Contact Shannon Cronbaugh at shannon@lasthoperescueia.org Petland West Des Moines 6305 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50265 Contact Kristen Redenius at kredenius@aheinz57.com Kansas Petland Olathe 2008 E. Santa Fe Olathe, KS 66062 Contact Suezanne Law at sympawtico@gmail.com Louisiana Petland Baton Rouge 7014 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70824 Contact Victoria Bourgeois at Victoria.Bourgeois@gmail.com Michigan Petland Westland 34610 Warren Road Westland, MI 48185 Contact Christine White at pchristinewhite@yahoo.com Missouri Petland Springfield 1610 E. Battlefield Rd. Springfield, MO 65804 *No contact person at this time Petland Lake St. Louis 6131 Ronald Reagan Drive Lake St. Louis, MO 63367 Contact Joan McKenna Van Rijswijk at ridgeback_mom@charter.net or Jessica Jensen at thompson__19@hotmail.com *Please bring all types of pet food to donate to a local food bank. Donations of towels and blankets will be brought to local shelters. Nebraska Petland Omaha 120th and W. Center Road Omaha, NE 68144 (W. Center Road is also referred to as Center Street) Contact Lori Hook at Dhook65857@aol.com New York Petland Cicero 5701 E. Circle Dr. Cicero, NY 13039 Contact Amber Coon at info@syracuseanimalrights.com *Meet along the public road fronting the Mobil Gas Station at 7888 Brewerton Rd. (Rt. 11). Parking can be found at the Mobil station. It will be COLD! Wear hats and gloves! New Hampshire Petland Manchester 893 Hanover St. Manchester, NH 03104 Contact Sherry Bezanson at sherry.bezanson@verani.com North Carolina Petland Charlotte 8120 Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 Contact Jacqueline Shipley at jacqueline.shipley764@gmail.com Ohio Petland Cleveland Heights 2255 Lee Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 Contact Jennifer Kaden at jenniferk@mercyforanimals.org Petland Lewis Center 86 Meadow Park Ave Lewis Center, OH 43035 Contact Lauren Schneiders at lschneiders@hsus.org Pennsylvania Petland Pittsburgh 6401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Contact Norma Bronder at petlandprotest@gmail.com Texas Petland Austin 9900 South IH-35, Bldg W Austin, TX 78748 Contact Jeanne O'Neil at boycottpetland@sbcglobal.net Petland Frisco (2 to 4 p.m.) 2930 Preston Road Frisco, TX 75034 Contact Dr. John J Pippin at jjpippin@sbcglobal.net Petland Georgetown 1019 W. University Ave. Georgetown, TX 78628 Contact Diane Coker at dkcoker@aol.com Petland Plano (12 to 2 p.m.) 340 Coit Road Plano, TX 75075 Contact Dr. John J Pippin at jjpippin@sbcglobal.net Virginia Petland Fairfax 9404-A Main St. Fairfax, VA 22031 Contact: Beau Archer at stop-puppy-mills@hsus.org *Please bring us blanket and towel donations to benefit local shelters. Petland Roanoke 4335 Pheasant Ridge Rd. Roanoke, VA 24014 Contact Toni Levine at barngrama@hotmail.com Wisconsin Petland Racine 2310 S. Green Bay Rd. Racine, WI 53406 Contact Gina Skorka at happycappy90@hotmail.com |
This is such a sad sad thing.... I just can't read or watch anymore about these poor babies. They are all in my prayers.... |
hello everyone that is so sad for what these pupies go threw .before going to a pet store .i just hope that who ever has a dog knows that there is a big responsibilitie with your dog forever thanks denise:aimeeyork |
:mad:Yes, it is a horrible start for a puppy. But the puppies are the 'lucky' ones. They get out of the puppy mill. The parents of those puppies are destined to live out their lives in such terrible unimaginable conditions. I can hardly believe that humans can treat living beings that way. Makes me sick:sad: |
Petland has huge markups on puppies Where I live(central Ohio) Yorkies at Petland sell for up to 2000.00 or more. Some breeds such as English Bulldogs sell for up to 3500.00. It is amazing to me that someone would pay that kind of money for a badly bred dog when you can get one from a reputable breeder for way less than that. I think it is because Petland gives a payment plan of like 49.00 to 59.00 a month payments. Most breeders will let you make payments, but won't let you have the dog til they are paid in full and must paid in a timely manner while the pup is still young. |
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