Pet Stores, Puppy Mills, Animal Shelters and all those *Poo* doggies.

[MichelleVW]

I have learned you have to fudge a little with the animal shelters. The shelters are jam packed around here and they still are very picky. Some things I understand, but how about they will not let you adopt a dog if it will not be an indoor pet? Yes, I'm going to adopt 2 huge german shephards and keep them in my 1000 sf house all day while I am at work! My dog is outside in our fenced yard all day long and comes into our extra bathroom at night(otherwise he barks) He has total shade, lots of room to run, a screen porch for shelter, clean water and food, and neighbor dogs on each side to play with. Inside, he would be cramped up, sharing a house with 4 cats, with no room to run, or friends to play with.

I know several people who have been turned down for dogs because of this rule and I think its stupid! Yes, you should have to agree to provide sufficient food, water, shade, vet care, and LOVE!

Marsha

Sorry, I think that is an awesome rule. No way would I keep my dogs outside while I was gone.

Your dog has neighbor dogs to play with, you mean he runs up and down the fence line barking?? I am so glad that I don't live in a neighborhood anymore. I hated when people left their dogs outside to bark all day.

 

[MushyMushy]

CR, I just went through the same thing with a friend! She found a puppy online and it ended up being in a pet store. I felt guilty the whole time because I know these people are basically backyard breeders. And this town (in Amish country) was pet store after pet store after pet store -- I've never seen anything like it! Where I live, you can't buy a dog in a pet store.

I've never owned a pure breed -- all of my dogs throughout my life were rescues. The two I have now, one came from a city pound and the other was a stray. We're good, responsible dog owners. However, we wouldn't get past our local humane society because we basically don't have a yard (just a small patch of grass) and it's not all fenced in.

It's not a no-kill shelter, so they are putting dogs to sleep every week. Are you telling me that the dog is better off being killed than going to MY loving home where they are spoiled and petted and loved, all because we don't have much of a yard??? They are completely ridiculous.

 

[paintnolish]

I agree with the "poo" dogs. Why are they suddenly so popular and expensive? In the olden days, wasn't that kind of a mutt or what happens when someone's dog got out of the yard?

 

[torinsmom]

Sorry, I think that is an awesome rule. No way would I keep my dogs outside while I was gone.

Your dog has neighbor dogs to play with, you mean he runs up and down the fence line barking?? I am so glad that I don't live in a neighborhood anymore. I hated when people left their dogs outside to bark all day.

Actually, my dog is not a barker. I am home all summer, so I do know how he acts during the day. He does run down the fence line with the neighbor's dog, and they are always "kissing" through the fence but rarely barks unless there is a reason, like a dog walking by on the street or someone entering our property. The only time he barks other than that is at night, which is why I bring him inside during that time. We go for two walks a day, so he gets plenty of exercise, which is probably why he is more mellow. When workmen come over to work in the back, I have to DRAG him inside. He really enjoys running around and being in the fresh air.

My neighbor has two pit bulls, inside the house all the time. Those dogs bark a lot more than my dog and you can hear them INSIDE my house. They are always at the window barking and clawing. I feel very bad for them, because they are left for 12 hours in a small house, then let out long enough to pee and poop, then back inside. I have never seen them taken for a walk or even a ride in the car. I don't think dogs(especially big dogs) are made to be confined in a small area for such a long time, but that's just me.

It's a bad rule to me, because many dogs are euthanized at our local shelter, and I would think they would be better off as outside dogs(properly cared for, of course) than dead.

Marsha

 

[luvmy3]

Just wondering why anyone would feel guilty buying a dog, or any pet from a pets store? I know people don't wan't to support the puppy mills but what happens to those animals if they aren't purchased, do they end up in shelters or worse?

 

[MichelleVW]

Just wondering why anyone would feel guilty buying a dog, or any pet from a pets store? I know people don't wan't to support the puppy mills but what happens to those animals if they aren't purchased, do they end up in shelters or worse?

It's a vicious circle...but one that will not be broken until people stop buying from pet stores. Puppy mills are horrible places that just breed these poor dogs non stop. They have a horrible life and pet stores sell their babies for hundreds of dollars a piece.

 

[MichelleVW]

Actually, my dog is not a barker. I am home all summer, so I do know how he acts during the day. He does run down the fence line with the neighbor's dog, and they are always "kissing" through the fence but rarely barks unless there is a reason, like a dog walking by on the street or someone entering our property. The only time he barks other than that is at night, which is why I bring him inside during that time. We go for two walks a day, so he gets plenty of exercise, which is probably why he is more mellow. When workmen come over to work in the back, I have to DRAG him inside. He really enjoys running around and being in the fresh air.

My neighbor has two pit bulls, inside the house all the time. Those dogs bark a lot more than my dog and you can hear them INSIDE my house. They are always at the window barking and clawing. I feel very bad for them, because they are left for 12 hours in a small house, then let out long enough to pee and poop, then back inside. I have never seen them taken for a walk or even a ride in the car. I don't think dogs(especially big dogs) are made to be confined in a small area for such a long time, but that's just me.

It's a bad rule to me, because many dogs are euthanized at our local shelter, and I would think they would be better off as outside dogs(properly cared for, of course) than dead.

Marsha

It sounds like you are a responsible dog owner but there are so many that just toss the dog outside and forget about it. The dog is on a chain or a small dog run at the back of the yard and basically gets food and water and that's it. I had so many neighbors like this I guess I am just really sensitive about outside dogs.

Plus my dogs really hate being outside without me. If I am not out there they will stand at the door and stare at me, but if I go outside they run and play. My dogs get to run in the horse pasture every day so they have the best of both worlds.....inside with me and then I take them out for exercise.

I also have a golden that can't handle heat at all, even with shade he gets very sick if he's left outside for more than a few minutes in the summer. So....that's where my "dogs belong inside" mentality comes from!

 

[luvmy3]

It's a vicious circle...but one that will not be broken until people stop buying from pet stores. Puppy mills are horrible places that just breed these poor dogs non stop. They have a horrible life and pet stores sell their babies for hundreds of dollars a piece.

But what happens to the animals already born that are sitting in the pet store? Do they get sent back to the mills, shelters or are they just destroyed? I can't even go into a pet store without wanting to take them all home, they are so sad looking. They are already here and not purchasing them will not stop these puppy mills unless everyone looking for a pet goes elsewhere. The only way to stop the breeding at the puppy mills is to outlaw pet stores so people have no other choice but to go to reputable breeders or shelters. I don't see that ever happening so I just can't imagine feeling guilty for giving any dog who needs one, a home.

 

[torinsmom]

It sounds like you are a responsible dog owner but there are so many that just toss the dog outside and forget about it. The dog is on a chain or a small dog run at the back of the yard and basically gets food and water and that's it. I had so many neighbors like this I guess I am just really sensitive about outside dogs.

Plus my dogs really hate being outside without me. If I am not out there they will stand at the door and stare at me, but if I go outside they run and play. My dogs get to run in the horse pasture every day so they have the best of both worlds.....inside with me and then I take them out for exercise.

I also have a golden that can't handle heat at all, even with shade he gets very sick if he's left outside for more than a few minutes in the summer. So....that's where my "dogs belong inside" mentality comes from!

Yes, I know the type of pet owner you are talking about. I am more of a cat person, so I thought long and hard before I got my DS a dog. I knew I would end up being the primary caregiver, and I have. When I commit to something, whether it be a job, or a pet, or whatever, I do my best with it. Actually, the main reason I had my screen porch added on was to give Thunder a more comfortable place when it's warm outside. Of course, crazy dog sleeps UNDER the porch instead of inside it, LOL.

We have one pitt owner in our neighborhood that has his male pitt in a 4x6 foot pen inside the fence. They have a female who is in the fenced yard with her pups. I never see the owners out there except for when potential buyers come over. Actually, the owners' car is hardly ever there. So sad, and we neighbors have tried to get Animal COntrol to do something, but they are providing the necessities.

Marsha

 

[MichelleVW]

But what happens to the animals already born that are sitting in the pet store? Do they get sent back to the mills, shelters or are they just destroyed? I can't even go into a pet store without wanting to take them all home, they are so sad looking. They are already here and not purchasing them will not stop these puppy mills unless everyone looking for a pet goes elsewhere. The only way to stop the breeding at the puppy mills is to outlaw pet stores so people have no other choice but to go to reputable breeders or shelters. I don't see that ever happening so I just can't imagine feeling guilty for giving any dog who needs one, a home.

That's fine for you to feel that way, but no way would I buy a pet from a pet store and support the puppy mills.

 

[swald91]

Unfortunately puppy mills are ALL over. We researched & decided that we wanted an english bulldog-we found one online as no breeders locally. We fell head over heels in love with our bullie-unfortunately we lost him at the young age of about 2. He had something wrong-our vet wanted to send him to an Cornell (animal hospital) but everytime he went for a car ride he had a heatstroke...the vet was going to start small amts. of a sedative for him but was very concerned he'd never come out of it-anyway when I contacted the original breeder-he informed me he was a NEW owner & didn't have any info about this specific litter-I didn't want my money back just info about the litter-my vet just couldn't treat him....I've also heard some horror stories about pet shops & the condition of the animals. It's so hard to go in these places & not fall in love with the pets only to have something wrong-& by then you don't want your money back just some background to treat them.

 

[luvmy3]

That's fine for you to feel that way, but no way would I buy a pet from a pet store and support the puppy mills.

I wan't suggesting you should, only curious as to why you would feel guilty about doing it.

I ask again, does anyone know exactly what happens to these dogs in pet stores if they are not sold? Do they get sent back to the mills, do they get sent to a shelter or do they get destroyed just because?

Never mind, found some info. Typically they continue to slash the price on the pup until it sells, if it doesn't sell they eventually give it away. I assume to a shelter but haven't got that far in my research. They do not send it back to the mills, only because if they repeatedly did that, the mills would no longer supply the store with pups.

 

[christineann]

DMRick, thank you for the job you do.....that must be tough.

We currently have three dogs, all from shelters, and those adoption documents are long and detailed because they have to be. Somebody mistreated an animal or didn't provide a safe environment, which led to each one of those questions.

Anything with the suffix "poo" is a mutt, usually purchased for much more $ than what I paid to adopt mine

 

[ZachnElli]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, it's easier to adopt a child than a dog these days! I know, I've adopted a child, but denied a dog! And it really is the age thing, no kids under 10. I totally understand that rule for older dogs whose backgrounds are iffy. But even puppies they labeled that here! Anyway, I have 2 "poo" dogs and they are most likely puppy mill puppies, but I didn't get them from a pet store. I learned my lesson and warn everyone about the kennel I bought them from. I also got them several years ago, before they had the "poo" nicknames. Anyway, we recently went through craigslist to get a dog. There are so many people who get a puppy and then several months later they "have to move" or are "having a baby", etc. So, that's how we "adopted" our newest dog.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Reading all this, I realize how incredibly lucky I am. I have two shelters. Both were adopted when I was living in an apartment. The only thing I had to provide was something from the manager saying that it was okay. I'm sure elsewhere I would have been denied. Eragon and Matthias are well loved and cared for. Eragon I am 99% sure was abused before I got him. He is handshy around strangers and also very nervous until he has a chance to really get to know them. It used to be a lot worse, but Matthias has really helped to bring him out of his shell. It sounds like in another city I would have been denied either of them.

I now have a fenced in yard with a nice house. I still walk them when the weather is nice, lately it has been way too hot and I don't want them to overheat or to burn their paws on the pavement, but I play with them outside in the yard. Yes, they do have to stay alone when I work, but I make sure they have plenty of food, water, and toys. I always feel bad when I am away.

Last night Eragon gave me the guilt trip of my life. I was scheduled for a 12.5 hour shift. I hate those. I make sure to give my babies a lot of exercise right before and to rush home as soon as it's over. (And they stay in my kitchen/dining room with plenty of room to run). Well, on the way home a nasty storm hit and I ended up stuck in traffic due to an accident and a tree across two lanes of the highway. After I got hom I let them out to run and when they got back poor Erie was just trembling. I don't know if it's from all the hail he ate while outside or if it's because he was scared, but boy did I feel awful.

 

[MichelleVW]

I wan't suggesting you should, only curious as to why you would feel guilty about doing it.

.

I would feel guilty because if I buy a pet store puppy I become part of the problem and not the solution....

 

[sbell111]

We attempted to adopt the cutest little GSD puppy from a GSD rescue a while back. They turned us down because we lived too far away for them to do the home visits.

 

[luvmy3]

I would feel guilty because if I buy a pet store puppy I become part of the problem and not the solution....

I can understand that. I guess I look more at the dogs that are already there and feel sorry for them, which is exactly what those mills count on. I know if I were to look for a dog for my family the first place I would look was a shelter but if I was denied a dog or did not find any that was a fit for my family I would still go to a pet store just to give one of those dogs a home.

When we adopted our cat from a shelter, we didn't have any problems. They just had us fill out some paperwork and we were allowed to take her, there were never any requests for a visit or follow up calls. We provided all the info without hesitation so maybe that is why.

 

[sunnyday123]

We attempted to adopt the cutest little GSD puppy from a GSD rescue a while back. They turned us down because we lived too far away for them to do the home visits.

I have been turned down by three rescues because I live too far away ( I offered to drive to Missouri from the east coast!) for a puppy, who is still sitting on Petfinder, after 3 months, for having a child under the age of 12 ( she'll be 12 in November) and because I work.

We're getting our puppy from a breeder. My vet was also turned down by a rescue-because her children are 6 & 8. Nevermind she lives on 5 acres, 1 of which is fenced, has a pond, works part-time and her husband is also a vet.
Really, what else do they want?

I am convinced some rescues are one step away from being hoarders.

 

[karibritt01]

My mom tried to adopt a miniature daschund from the local ASPCA, and was refused. Their reason was that she planned to let the dog out in her fenced in back yard to exercise and potty, but would not be outside with it the entire time. They told her that a hawk or eagle could carry it off! I guess that is because of the massive problem of eagles flying around with small dogs in their claws...

We did end up finding her a cocker spaniel from a cocker rescue through petfinder.com.