Is it really not a good idea to buy a puppy for a pet store?

[Hikergirl]

OMG that is heartbreaking. So you are basically sentencing dogs to death by not buying them from a store, and if you do you are sentencing dogs at the puppymill to a continued fate that is no better.

 

[wilkeliza]

OMG that is heartbreaking. So you are basically sentencing dogs to death by not buying them from a store, and if you do you are sentencing dogs at the puppymill to a continued fate that is no better.

Yep but if people stop buying from a pet store selling dogs won't be profitable enough so it will end the demand portion of the ecomonics of puppy mills. It sucks for a generation or two of dogs but makes the whole situation better.

 

[Jennasis]

When I was in high school, my grandfather wanted to buy my sisters and I a dog. A Dalmatian specifically, as I had always wanted one. He took us (me, my little sister and mom and dad) to a puppy store in town. They had been advertising Dalmatian pups in the paper for $250. We were so excited. Get to the store and they have all these pups in baby cribs frolicking, so we head for the Dal crib and start choosing which one we want. Settle on a cute little guy and over comes the salesman. "That'll be $750" he tells us. WHAT?? I immediately tell him "what about the ad for $250 you've been running???" The guy rolls his eyes and jerks his thumb over his shoulder. "Oh...that's just for THAT one. Back there."

Stuffed into a cage meant for a puppy half his size was a older male Dal. He was so big for the cage that his legs were sticking out through the bars. He had liver colored spots and a flesh colored nose instead of black...big faults for a Dal so clearly he had been over looked for many weeks. Getting bigger and less cute to shoppers as the days passed. I demanded to see the big lug and we wound up buying him.

We then spent weeks fighting mange.

His "papers" seemed to show that his parents were brother and sister. Seriously inbred. Dumb as a box of hammers (ate a string of christmas lights, a tube of lipstick, and a couple of glass ornaments. Had a thing for toilet paper. Used to scare himself when he farted). But loyal, sweet, gentle, loving. A total lug. He lived to 12 years old. Great dog...

We got VERY lucky.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Used to scare himself when he farted

Oh my goodness, my mother's dog used to do that. Once I started having babies, I would bring them around and play with them and inevitably blow raspberries on their tummies. Next thing you know, you hear Snickers taking off for the bedroom. I always forgot!

 

[keri125]

Used to scare himself when he farted

My dog does this and seriously cracks me up when it happens!
OP, I used to work at a pet store. For the most part the owner was kind and didn't buy from puppy mills (this was 20 years ago). But it broke my heart to see those sweet puppies in those cages day in and day out. Our puppy room was seperate from the rest of the store, so when we had some down time we were allowed to go back there and let a few out to romp around and play, but obviously it wasn't enough time. And luckily our owner was fairly responsible as she made sure they weren't on wire cage floors the entire time - that can warp their poor little paws.
We adopted our little guy (min schnauzer) from a co-worker whose mother was in hospice. He was her baby and since we were not in a big hurry to adopt we were able to visit with her and reassure her so she knew her fur baby would be going to a wonderful home and would be spoiled after she was gone. We waited until after she passed away to officially bring him into our home. Initially I adopted him for my son but guess who wound up bonding with him super hard?! This dog is now so spoiled - I'm so glad we took our time and ensured he was right for our family, as well as reassured a lovely elderly lady that her boy would be loved and cherished. I know this can't happen to everyone, but I also recommend no pet store buying. Shelter pups tend to be heartier and live longer; and yes, if you do buy from a breeder, make sure you can view the grounds, the parents, and the process should be intense. I had a friend who worked for a breeder and they actually had it written into the contracts that if the buyer changes their mind, the puppy would be returned to the breeder, not re-sold. I wish everyone would adopt from a shelter, but I understand not wanting to. But don't rush into it. It concerns me that you say you want the dog "yesterday." Buying a dog should not be an impulsive action - take your time, research your options, and be very serious about it.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Our family bought several pet store puppies over the years and they were just as sweet, healthy, and wonderful as the ones we got from breeders and the ones we adopted. Those puppies need homes just as much as any other dog.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Our family bought several pet store puppies over the years and they were just as sweet, healthy, and wonderful as the ones we got from breeders and the ones we adopted. Those puppies need homes just as much as any other dog.

But buying from stores only perpetuates a much bigger problem. The over-breeding in puppy mills just adds to the overpopulation of animals in this country. Many of these dogs will end up in shelters anyway, while the puppy mills will continue to churn out puppies while keeping their breeders in deplorable conditions. Those dogs deserve a better life (and real homes) too, and buying from puppy stores just supports the problem.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Our family bought several pet store puppies over the years and they were just as sweet, healthy, and wonderful as the ones we got from breeders and the ones we adopted. Those puppies need homes just as much as any other dog.

I don't think anyone is saying those in a store don't need a home. ETA: People are just explaining why it isn't a good idea to get a pet from a pet shop due to the conditions the animals are subjected to including poor breeders who have terrible puppy mills.

 

[sonnyjane]

OMG that is heartbreaking. So you are basically sentencing dogs to death by not buying them from a store, and if you do you are sentencing dogs at the puppymill to a continued fate that is no better.

You have to look at it from a numbers standpoint. I have no information on the statistics of how many puppies aren't sold or frankly what happens to them, but whatever that number is, and if you assume they are killed (I do not know), then you have to assume that the number of dogs that will meet that fate is exponentially higher with each generation that is allowed to continue. So many dogs die at puppy mills before even making it to the pet shops, and those that "live" at puppy mills don't have a life worth living. It's tempting to want to save every life, but you must focus on the greater good. Vote with your wallet.

 

[jevs]

When I was in high school, my grandfather wanted to buy my sisters and I a dog. A Dalmatian specifically, as I had always wanted one. He took us (me, my little sister and mom and dad) to a puppy store in town. They had been advertising Dalmatian pups in the paper for $250. We were so excited. Get to the store and they have all these pups in baby cribs frolicking, so we head for the Dal crib and start choosing which one we want. Settle on a cute little guy and over comes the salesman. "That'll be $750" he tells us. WHAT?? I immediately tell him "what about the ad for $250 you've been running???" The guy rolls his eyes and jerks his thumb over his shoulder. "Oh...that's just for THAT one. Back there."

Stuffed into a cage meant for a puppy half his size was a older male Dal. He was so big for the cage that his legs were sticking out through the bars. He had liver colored spots and a flesh colored nose instead of black...big faults for a Dal so clearly he had been over looked for many weeks. Getting bigger and less cute to shoppers as the days passed. I demanded to see the big lug and we wound up buying him.

We then spent weeks fighting mange.

His "papers" seemed to show that his parents were brother and sister. Seriously inbred. Dumb as a box of hammers (ate a string of christmas lights, a tube of lipstick, and a couple of glass ornaments. Had a thing for toilet paper. Used to scare himself when he farted). But loyal, sweet, gentle, loving. A total lug. He lived to 12 years old. Great dog...

We got VERY lucky.

I'm almost choking with laughing at this.

 

[Poohforyou]

I can't even tell you the last time I've seen a dog at a pet store but I have sadly seen puppy mills. They're all too common in rural PA.

 

[Jennasis]

I used to tease him that "we got you 'cause you were on sale".

 

[wilkeliza]

Our family bought several pet store puppies over the years and they were just as sweet, healthy, and wonderful as the ones we got from breeders and the ones we adopted. Those puppies need homes just as much as any other dog.

Of course some pet stores are ethically run establishments but many (if not most) are not.

 

[bcla]

Ay yi yi yi yi. The only exceptions are the areas (San Fran, LA, San Diego, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin for examples) where the law has deemed that the only animals that can be available at pet stores are rescues. Other than that, do NOT get a pet from a pet store.

I don't think San Francisco even allows the sale of dogs that aren't fixed. Most would probably buy a pet outside the county though. They did recently passed a law, but its symbolic since no pets stores sell dogs there.

As far as "pet stores" go, I haven't seen a dog or cat sold in any kind of store in decades. Maybe rodents or reptiles, but not dogs or cats. I have seen rescue/shelter dogs on display by the rescue organization.

 

[bcla]

Of course some pet stores are ethically run eatablishments but many (if not most) are not.

Wanna edit that? I don't think that came out right.

OK, looks like you did.

 

[wilkeliza]

Wanna edit that? I don't think that came out right.

OK, looks like you did.

I spelt establishment wrong stupid phone typing. (Unless it said ethnic and a mod changed it for me haha that would have been a terrible error)

 

[bcla]

I spelt establishment wrong stupid phone typing. (Unless it said ethnic and a mod changed it for me haha that would have been a terrible error)

I thought that, but then that brings thoughts of dogs sold for meat. I've worked with people who have eaten dog, and it's kind of a touchy subject.

 

[Diznygrl]

I honestly didn't know that puppies being sold at pet stores was still even a thing. The last time I ever saw this was probably at a pet store in the mall in the early 90s. Seriously I thought it had been outlawed but I guess not??

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ok, I knew this was the answer. Thanks for the reminder. I know it is a bad idea, but think of the poor puppies that suffer by people NOT buying them. Why aren't the pet stores monitored better so that this obvious mistreatment isn't allowed. SAD. Thank you again for the reminder.

WMKathy stated that laws are getting weaker. The government has recently ended data collection & posting the information in the Dept. Of Agriculture. That makes pet buying even more risky.

I know you want those cute puppies in the window. IF you want purebred check out a purebred rescue org. or get a puppy from a reputable breeder. Genetics & breeding are things that are important if you want a quality dog. More than likely the dogs in a pet store came from a mother who lives in a cage and is forced to breed and give birth.

Yorkies live a long time, so I would most certainly want a dog that was cared for in a loving environment and not in a prison.

 

[Hikergirl]

You have to look at it from a numbers standpoint. I have no information on the statistics of how many puppies aren't sold or frankly what happens to them, but whatever that number is, and if you assume they are killed (I do not know), then you have to assume that the number of dogs that will meet that fate is exponentially higher with each generation that is allowed to continue. So many dogs die at puppy mills before even making it to the pet shops, and those that "live" at puppy mills don't have a life worth living. It's tempting to want to save every life, but you must focus on the greater good. Vote with your wallet.

I completely understand that, it doesn't make the situation any less heartbreaking to this animal lover.