Friend got a dog from Petland....

[MushyMushy]

I was watching the Eukanuba dog show this morning on Animal Planet. (A repeat from 2002) IT was sponsered by PETCO!!! I guess when you have enough money to sponser AKC certified animals, they don't care where the money comes from!

I don't think Petco sells dogs. At least not the ones around here.

There was also a big thing a while back where they got into a big fight with PETA over the sale of birds, so Petco agreed to quit selling larger birds. That's why I give them my business over PetSmart.

ETA: I'm glad to say I haven't seen a dog for sale in a pet store in a very, very long time.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I don't think Petco sells dogs. At least not the ones around here.

There was also a big thing a while back where they got into a big fight with PETA over the sale of birds, so Petco agreed to quit selling larger birds. That's why I give them my business over PetSmart.

ETA: I'm glad to say I haven't seen a dog for sale in a pet store in a very, very long time.

Oh oK... Why did I think PetCo sold dogs..
Seems like the smaller chains are the ones that are selling the dogs.
I know I adopted a kitten at Petco. But it was a stray that was brought in.
Oh here is that website telling me (and everyone else) why they should buy their dog from Shake a paw!
http://www.shakeapaw.net/Shared/why_buy_a_dog_from_shake_a_paw.htm

 

[Regina]

I'm not going to touch the whole pet store/puppy mill issue, but I do have some advice when it comes to being guilted into pet sitting.

I had (past tense) a friend who would often go away during the worse part of winter and ask me to take care of her 3 cats. What should have been a 10 minute drive was often much longer because of bad weather. Her driveway was ridiculously steep and she never made arrangements for plowing when it snowed. That meant parking on the street and killing myself walking down the hill to her house through snowdrifts. She rarely left enough kitty litter so I replenished it myself. There was no reciprocation. I always kennel our dog when we travel.

There came a point when enough was enough and I told her that it was too difficult to cat sit for her. Surprise, surprise, her calls became less frequent and ended altogether.

When you have pets, they're your responsibility. I would tell your friend that it's become too much for you to care for so many pets and that she should plan on making other arrangements in the future. If you lose her friendship over this, then so be it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think that many people have overlooked that part of your reaction was being stunned that this person, who had previously made very strong statements, was going against her own principles.

I was thinking the same thing.

When I was reading the OP I was reminded of someone I know who, in the same vein, always made me feel horribly guilty for buying purebred dogs because she herself believed that the *only* way to get a dog was to adopt a dog from the pound. She was relentless (and I can understand it, because she's rescued many very difficult animals and volunteers her time in a shelter).

I pictured what I would say to her if in the same situation as the friend in the OP (though truly, I can't imagine that ever happening with her). I think I would say something to the effect of "wow, I'm really surprised you got a dog from a pet store, but hey, best of luck with her". And then I would proceed to pat and play with the new dog as I would with all her other pets.

I think it's human nature to respond to an offender that's been in your face about something for years who then goes and does something totally against whatever it is they've been preaching to you about. They certainly have the right to do it, and I have the right to be annoyed by it.

 

[Stimpy]

Oh oK... Why did I think PetCo sold dogs..
Seems like the smaller chains are the ones that are selling the dogs.
I know I adopted a kitten at Petco. But it was a stray that was brought in.
Oh here is that website telling me (and everyone else) why they should buy their dog from Shake a paw!
http://www.shakeapaw.net/Shared/why_buy_a_dog_from_shake_a_paw.htm

Petco doesn't sell dogs or cats. They allow animal rescue groups to leave animals there that are available for adoption. Petco has no responsibilty for them. If you'd like to adopt one of the cats, you would have to call the organization that cares for them directly. Volunteers come in daily (sometimes several times a day) to care for the animals, take them out to excersise, clean the cages etc. The organizations pay for all the supplies, food etc.

(I used to volunteer for one of them for a few years until I got pregnant with DD and couldn't do the kitty litter anymore. As soon as she starts pre-school in the fall I intend to go back )

BTW, I will not comment on Petco's treatment of the other animals that they DO sell. Let's just say I feel terrible for them and would never purchase one from there.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She's most likey hurting and surrounding herself with things that will unconditionally love her.

I just want to say I think this is a very insightful and compassionate response. Nice job!

 

[Planogirl]

Petco doesn't sell dogs or cats. They allow animal rescue groups to leave animals there that are available for adoption. Petco has no responsibilty for them. If you'd like to adopt one of the cats, you would have to call the organization that cares for them directly. Volunteers come in daily (sometimes several times a day) to care for the animals, take them out to excersise, clean the cages etc. The organizations pay for all the supplies, food etc.

(I used to volunteer for one of them for a few years until I got pregnant with DD and couldn't do the kitty litter anymore. As soon as she starts pre-school in the fall I intend to go back )

BTW, I will not comment on Petco's treatment of the other animals that they DO sell. Let's just say I feel terrible for them and would never purchase one from there.

Petsmart also does this and I think it's great that they do. More exposure for homeless animals can only help them.

But Petco mistreats the hamsters, lizards and so on? Hopefully it was just the particular store you volunteered at.

 

[MushyMushy]

Petsmart also does this and I think it's great that they do. More exposure for homeless animals can only help them.

But Petco mistreats the hamsters, lizards and so on? Hopefully it was just the particular store you volunteered at.

I hope so too! I've never seen anything that overly concerned me with the birds at our nearest Petco, other than the fact that they didn't have homes. In fact, I used to go visit this one bird a few times a week because I just fell in love with him. I couldn't afford to buy him, or I would have had him in a heartbeat.

 

[Planogirl]

I hope so too! I've never seen anything that overly concerned me with the birds at our nearest Petco, other than the fact that they didn't have homes. In fact, I used to go visit this one bird a few times a week because I just fell in love with him. I couldn't afford to buy him, or I would have had him in a heartbeat.

I've done that at Petsmart! They had this huge parrot for the longest time and he was so cute. Another store years ago, had this gorgeous parrot they placed right by the kittens. He sat there all day meowing at people.

I love the big birds but I'm amazed at how expensive they are.

 

[louey]

I don't think Petco sells dogs. At least not the ones around here.

There was also a big thing a while back where they got into a big fight with PETA over the sale of birds, so Petco agreed to quit selling larger birds. That's why I give them my business over PetSmart.

ETA: I'm glad to say I haven't seen a dog for sale in a pet store in a very, very long time.

Our Petco & PetSmart don't sell dogs. I do have to say that I volunteer with a rescue group and PetSmart has always helped out by letting us hold Meet & Greets at their stores and at Christmas time they allow different rescues to sign up for santa photos with some of the proceeds going to that particular group. PetSmart also always has cats up for adoption, so I think they do give back more so than some others. IMO

 

[Planogirl]

What's wrong with selling birds? I realize that some endangered birds are being smuggled and so on but I'm talking the parakeets and other little birds that people have as pets.

 

[Cool-Beans]

If anyone in Ohio, northern Indianda or western Pennsylvania wants a couple parakeets (green and yellow), I will happily deliver them. A cage, trays, perches, toys, a jungle gym, corn cob, food, treat and that rocky stuff they need as well as a thing they use that I can't remember the name of are included.

They are noisy and messy, but they are free.

I hate my birds and cannot wait for them to die. Better cared for birds you will NOT find, but I don't want them and nobody will take them.

I was told they live 7-10 years, and they are 3 and 4 years old. They have names but they don't know their names because they have bird brains. You can call them anything you want and they'll be as oblivious as they are now.

They do not like to be out of the cage. I was told to let them out once a day to fly around, but they have to be physically chased out of the cage and get back in as soon as they can. Even if you close the door - so long as it isn't locked, they'll open it up and get back in there. We leave the door open all day (not at night, leaned that lesson!) and they rarely leave.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The last puppy that came into our lives was from a pet store and when people commented on how wonderful & beautiful she was she must be from a breeder I never said anything because of close minded people and their opinions. I find it ironic that when I brought her home & to the vet she was the one that confirmed what I already knew she was the perfect pet for me, something I already knew.
I now realize what happens when puppies "age out" of pet shops so in a way I rescued her. The truth is she rescued me......I bought her 2 years before the most medically difficult time in my life. I truly believe the man upstairs found her for me.
The weeks I spent in the hospital the only photos I had were of my beautiful dog & my wedding photo with my beloved husband. They were the 2 things that made me go on & gave me the determination to live and get home.

I have to add something, for all the do gooders on here that are bashing those of us who were saved by their pet regardless of where they came from...I wonder how many of you have adopted grey hounds or have tried to shut that industry down....Just curious.

 

[louey]

I have to add something, for all the do gooders on here that are bashing those of us who were saved by their pet regardless of where they came from...I wonder how many of you have adopted grey hounds or have tried to shut that industry down....Just curious.

It is not so much about be a dogooder but about doing your homework when it comes to adopting or buying a dog. If buying, try to be sure it is from a reputable breeder instead of a petstore or a backyard breeder. I don't think anyone is trying to bash you who were saved by their pet. Me personally, if I were to walk in a petstore to see those sweet puppy faces I too would be inclined to walk out with one (I love them all). But, knowing what I know now I won't. There is pretty much a rescue for every breed petfinder.com.
Greyhound racing industry has been declining and hopefully someday it will be a thing of the past. If people were to stop going and betting Money at the dog races it would eventually shutdown but as they say "Money is the Root of all Evil"

 

[hipporina]

I want to mention that rarely a private pet shop or supply store will sell animals not bought from puppy mills. We lived in a small town in south Texas for a while and a man there ran a small pet shop that only sold fish and hamsters and the like. Once in a while, he would take in puppies or kittens brought in by someone who had found a pregnant stray or someone whose pet had gotten out and ended up having a litter. At least supposedly.

I never saw anything but a few mutts from time to time and we did buy a kitten from him once for a whopping $5.00!

This is very true. We live in a small town and I got our Great Dane from our local pet shop. The store owner showed me pictures of his parents. No, they are not breeders. His parents were just their family pets. We don't have papers on him and I don't care at all. If you don't plan on showing or breeding, what difference does it make?

I was not even planning on buying another dog when I met him, but I fell in love. He may not be a "perfect" dog, but he's my perfect dog and I love him. He is sweet and gentle and tons of fun. The kids hug on him and play with him and he is wonderfully good natured.

Anyway, my point is that not all pet stores are evil. You just need to know a little bit about them and where they get their puppies.

 

[tiggersmom2]

If anyone in Ohio, northern Indianda or western Pennsylvania wants a couple parakeets (green and yellow), I will happily deliver them. A cage, trays, perches, toys, a jungle gym, corn cob, food, treat and that rocky stuff they need as well as a thing they use that I can't remember the name of are included.

They are noisy and messy, but they are free.

I hate my birds and cannot wait for them to die. Better cared for birds you will NOT find, but I don't want them and nobody will take them.

I was told they live 7-10 years, and they are 3 and 4 years old. They have names but they don't know their names because they have bird brains. You can call them anything you want and they'll be as oblivious as they are now.

They do not like to be out of the cage. I was told to let them out once a day to fly around, but they have to be physically chased out of the cage and get back in as soon as they can. Even if you close the door - so long as it isn't locked, they'll open it up and get back in there. We leave the door open all day (not at night, leaned that lesson!) and they rarely leave.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I hate my birds and cannot wait for them to die.

OMG I had a Betta Fish like that once. I was out on one of those "Girls Afternoon Out" kind of things and we all bought Betta Fish together like we were a pack of 6th grade girls or something.

Well EVERYBODY else's Betta fish died after about 3 months. Not mine. That thing lived on and on and on. It did absolutely nothing except sit in a little bowl and stare at it's plant. Sometimes I considered not feeding it anymore or forgetting to change it's water, but then I'd feel guilty. My Mom came to visit one weekend and it died within hours. My Mom has that effect.

Anyway, not every dog has to be "rescued." Not everybody is cut out for owning a rescue dog.

 

[daisax]

His parents were just their family pets. We don't have papers on him and I don't care at all. If you don't plan on showing or breeding, what difference does it make?

It only makes a difference if you're looking to hedge your bets (some folks aren't, and that's cool). Personally, I want a dog of the breed I enjoy, that epitomizes what I love about the breed and will bring me joy for as long as possible as my dogs are members of my family and a commitment to them is a lifetime commitment. A few hundred extra dollars up front to avoid preventable genetic disorders or temperament issues is money well spent for me, and heartache prevented - over the course of a 12 year life, hardly much money at all.

Strangely, pet store pups cost MORE than well bred pups most of the time, but the stores prey on people who are making spur of the moment decisions. And while the folks here who have bonded with their pets are no doubt providing great homes, the 21 year old college student sharing a house with 5 friends who buys that cute puppy on a $20/month installment plan, with no foresight as to who will take it home next summer, or who will be responsible for the $1200 vet bill when it swallows a sock... the pet stores don't care about the puppy that falls into THOSE hands.

And those puppies don't tend to stay in their original homes very long. They end up passed from home to home, in shelters and/or if they're lucky, rescue, and at that point you can get a great dog without enriching those who are making money off the backs of the dogs.

Most rescue dogs are NOT damaged goods -- just somewhat neglected goods. Typically in my breed (boxers) they're 7-8 month old males who aren't quite as cute any more. The people who bought them were suckered by a pair of soft brown eyes, and laughed as the pup climbed and jumped on them and bit their shoelaces... but behaviors that are adorable at 15 lbs are less attractive at 50 lbs. Suddenly they have an adolescent dog on their hands that has never been taught any manners, and they blame the dog. Sadly, many go right out and get that next dog (probably a different breed), fail to teach it any better, and repeat the cycle.

Of the rescue dogs I've dealt with, a basic obedience I class is enough to make them into good citizens -- they're friendly and cute enough, just underexercised and were never taught basic manners. Rescue foster homes will begin teaching basic house manners. Mostly the dogs need the guidance that their first owners were too busy or ignorant to provide.