Why are there people that still don't know about pet stores!?

[alliecats]

One of my current pets was rescued from my back yard, and another was rescued after being abandoned while pregnant. Can you imagine? She was dumped by her owners, and found going door-to-door begging for food! How could I NOT take her in?

Her owners were evil to do that. Thanks for taking her in. You are a good person!!!

I prefer my Humane Society kittys to any purebred out there. I feel like we truly rescued them. Since one has medical problems and the other has social problems, I am so glad WE got them because anyone else might not have wanted the expense and the "trouble" they might consider our girls to be. They are well worth any time and money we invest in them.

I love Westies, but will probably never have one unless I see a dog that looks like one at a shelter or one of the pet stores that adopts for the Humane Society.

 

[FayeW]

There is a huge differance between a breeder and a mill!

A mill will breed the maximum amount of puppies possible, regardless of the health of the mother, often in filthy conditions not fit for a rat. The also disregard any type of breed standard, do not try to impove the breed AT ALL, and often in-breed. They'll sell to anyone with the cash, usually pet stores. All of this is done in the name of profit and not love of a particulare breed or dogs in general.

That's a pretty wide brush your tarring with! Not every pup that makes it's way into a pet store comes from a bonafide "puppy mill". I used to work for a veterinarian, and he provided health checks free of charge for the puppies and kittens that came from a couple of local pet stores. The pet stores also brought the animals in for their required shots right up until they were sold. If we detected any illness or infection, it was treated right away and the animals were not sold until they were in good health again. In the animal health industry, we considered a "puppy mill" to be somewhere where the owners were intentionally breeding animals with known physical or temperment defects, or where the living conditions were unsafe, unsanitary or abusive. Many of the puppies in the pet stores come from loving homes, where they and the parents are well cared for, even pampered. They are sold through pet stores sometimes, but it doesn't make them the product of puppy mills just because their parents don't happen to have a pedigree. Ideally, the owners should sell them privately to make sure they are cared for properly until they go to their new home, but that isn't always feasible.

 

[airhead]

...what good breeders are all about. You're explanation of why the price of a well bred dog is what some say is "pricey" was right on! On Monday,my friend and I will be travelling 800 miles to breed her ***** to a male that she knows produces healthy pups. I can't believe the research that she has done on his pedigree. She has been "building" her breeding stock for 50 years! She breeds only when she wants a pup and ONLY if she has homes lined up for them. There are 14 people waiting and hoping to get one of her pups! When people who know what they're doing ,breed dogs there are no surprises. She knows what her pups will look like and that their temperment will be superb.We are members of the "dog show community" also. We show our Dobermans in conformation and performance events. We truely appreciate the work of good breeders,so Stamper,keep up the good work and see you in the ring!!!

 

[marymouse]

I rarely post on this board, just lurk A LOT, but I feel very strongly about this thread. I work in the pet industry. And it is just that, an industry. People open pet stores to make money, and often don't because of the money they spend taking care of the livestock. The pet store owners that I work with are all small businesses with families to feed. Some of them are horrible, some are good, and some are WONDERFUL.
I am really trying not to get upset as I right this because it hits very close to home for me.
Just because one pet store or breeder is bad doesn't make them all bad and you can't condem them all because of the faults of a few.
If you look in an area that has Petsmarts or Petcos, most of bad stores are out of business because people have a better, cleaner choice.
Unfortuately, as long as we are going to keep dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters etc as pets there are going to be people making money on them. The best you can do is do your research and choose wisely. You wouldn't shop in a filthy grocery store or in a book store with damaged books. We as consumers have to make wise choices and ultimately we are stuck with the results. I am not encouraging people to buy puppy mill dogs/cats you just have to realize that they aren't all that way.

 

[lulugirl]

Sorry, Stamper, but I don't agree with you and I don't have respect for what you are doing. You are still adding to animal overpopulation and justifying it by saying you have to keep your favorite breed "pure". I would love to pass a law forbidding any kind of breeding for at least 2 years to get the animal population under control. It's sad how many unwanted, homeless animals are out there and even "reputable" breeders add to the problem.

And, to answer someone else's question, you can go on petfinder.com and look for a breed, and all the local rescue groups will pop up. That's how I found HALO, the rescue group I adopted the two labs from.

And, yes, it does take questions and a home visit. Why is that bad? We expect it when adopting a child, why is it bad that someone wants to make sure animals are going to a good home?

I couldn't agree more.

 

[2Poodles]

Stamper & Airhead -- you are truely wonderful reputable dog breeders.

Our first Standard Poodle Sebastian was bought from a backyard breeder. We ddin't know any better. He has a wonderful temperament and is healthy. We lucked out in that regard.

Our second Poodle Winslow was bought from a reputable breeder (like you Stamper & Airhead), we got genetic testing, temperament testing, health guaranteee. We saw the dam and sire. We were required to neuter him and return him to the breeder if we coudln't keep him. This Poodle breeder spoke with us for hours on the phone and another two hours when we drove eight hours to pick him up. She required proof of a fenced in yard and asked for our vet's number and spoke with her. The backyard breeder of Sebastian did not ask us any questions.

I will hold any breeder we purchase a future puppy from to the Winslow's breeder.

Stamper & Airhead I'd buy a puppy from you any day of the year just wish you were Standard Poodles breeders.


Mary & the 2Poodles
(Sebastian & Winslow)

 

[Meezers]

I had wanted Siamese cats my whole life. I started looking about 6 months before I was ready to be a mommy. I was coming back from Germany for a vacation.

It took the whole six months to find a reputable breeder and pass their qualificiations.

2 years ago I lost my beloved Jadzia to cancer. Mavric was pining away. I had kept in touch with the breeder (it has been 10 years!). Guess what? Hannah....a retired show kitty and breeding queen needed to retire. She came to me for the price of having her spayed. She is now a very beautiful but very spoiled housecat. She deserves her life and her breeder deserves all of my devotion. Because of this wonderful lady who breeds these cats only for the love of the breed...I get to have these beautiful animals that I have wanted all my life.

I know this won't add anything to the thread...but I do love my kitties

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I know it's two different things, but this reminds me of a post a while back. Another posters sister adopted a child from another country, and right away she got crap for it when there are "plenty of unadopted children right here in our own country". Someone responded by saying that it didn't matter, a child was a child.

Well, maybe this is a bad analogy, but isn't it sort of the same with these animals at pet stores? An animal is an animal, right? Boycotting pet stores will be no more effective at shutting down puppy mills as the amount of children up for adoption won't stop woman from having them. The animals in pet stores still need homes, whether they are from a puppy mill or not.

I don't think every pet store is guilty of selling "puppymill" animals. There's one near us that has a sign in their store that states that their animals are not from mills, and you can get information on where the animals originate from. And without breeders, we wouldn't have specialty breeds. I just don't think it's fair to assume every pet store or breeder is contributing to the abuse of animals.

 

[stamper]

...what good breeders are all about. You're explanation of why the price of a well bred dog is what some say is "pricey" was right on! On Monday,my friend and I will be travelling 800 miles to breed her ***** to a male that she knows produces healthy pups. I can't believe the research that she has done on his pedigree. She has been "building" her breeding stock for 50 years! She breeds only when she wants a pup and ONLY if she has homes lined up for them. There are 14 people waiting and hoping to get one of her pups! When people who know what they're doing ,breed dogs there are no surprises. She knows what her pups will look like and that their temperment will be superb.We are members of the "dog show community" also. We show our Dobermans in conformation and performance events. We truely appreciate the work of good breeders,so Stamper,keep up the good work and see you in the ring!!!

Airhead So true. Someday we will actually meet at a show. Were you in Springfield for the Conn. River Working Group shows? We were there, not showing though...good thing as I had a horrible cold. Hope all goes well with your friend's breeding on Mon. She sounds like my kind of person!

 

[stamper]

Stamper & Airhead -- you are truely wonderful reputable dog breeders.



I will hold any breeder we purchase a future puppy from to the Winslow's breeder.

Stamper & Airhead I'd buy a puppy from you any day of the year just wish you were Standard Poodles breeders.


Mary & the 2Poodles
(Sebastian & Winslow)

Thanks for the vote of confidence... Can't I talk you into a Sammy? Just kidding! You sound like one of those people I'd actually sell to....

 

[dianeschlicht]

Christine,

Do you really think there is that much difference between a "breeder" and a "puppy mill"? Sometimes, usually, they are one and the same.

It depends on your definition of "breeder". If you think anyone that produces a litter of puppies is a "breeder" than yes, but a true breeder will stand behind their product. A true breeder knows genetics and tries with every litter to improve the breed. A true breeder screens their buyers and doesn't sell a puppy to someone they deem to not be a good home. A true breeder will take back a puppy that isn't working out in its home and find a new one for it. A true breeder will give the person who adopts one of their puppies much information about the specific breed and about how to care and train the puppy. People who are having a litter for "fun" "profit" or "the kids" or the puppy mills who breed two available individuals that happen to be the same breed (and yes they can be registered too) are not what I call a breeder.
(FYI, I have been a reputable breeder/exhibitor of Airedales for nearly 30 years.)

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think every pet store is guilty of selling "puppymill" animals. There's one near us that has a sign in their store that states that their animals are not from mills, and you can get information on where the animals originate from. And without breeders, we wouldn't have specialty breeds. I just don't think it's fair to assume every pet store or breeder is contributing to the abuse of animals.

You can think that if you want to, but the truth is a reputable breeder NEVER sells to a pet shop, because they don't approve of impulse buying of pets, and that's what pet shops promote. The only "breeders" who sell to pet shops other than puppy mills are the folks who just "have a litter" and can't get rid of them or don't want to put the work required into finding and screening good homes. themselves.

 

[airhead]

We weren't showing,just supporting friends in the Dobie ring!! I will definitely look for you at the next show!!!

 

[babar]

one of my dogs came from a "pet store". she's a mutt, they had her up to date with shots, and paid for her first vet visit. (a vet of my choosing) she was very healthy.

This store takes the unwanted "mutt" puppies from around the neighborhood, and sells them for a small price. I've seen people come in with their litter of new, unwanted puppies.

They don't sell pure-bred dogs.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You can think that if you want to, but the truth is a reputable breeder NEVER sells to a pet shop, because they don't approve of impulse buying of pets, and that's what pet shops promote. The only "breeders" who sell to pet shops other than puppy mills are the folks who just "have a litter" and can't get rid of them or don't want to put the work required into finding and screening good homes. themselves.

Amen.

 

[plutolover]

And will probably never do it again. We found that she did not have it checked by a Vet like she claimed. It turned out our puppy had several heart defects. When we purchased her, her ears were glued with weather stripping. "Jessie" is a German Shepard. We feel that even though we bought her, we in fact "rescued" her. When we notified the breeder the next day, (that's when we had her VET checked, against the breeders wishes) she told us to bring her back and she would destroy her. Other stuff happened too. We ended up suing her and we won. If we hadn't seen Jessie in person, I probably would not have gotten her. She was not expected to live after 1 year. We were going to let her live out her final months in a happy, loving environment. Now, 3 years later............ she is still with us.

I know this is probably a fluke, and it is probably better to buy from a breeder, but not always true. ( We have also "rescued" from shelters, etc. and had bad experiences.)

 

[sha_lyn]

There is no easy answer to this. Puppies will suffer if not bought form thhhese puppy mills, but they won't have a market if no one buys them.
I believe it is important to keep lines of pure breds, but I alos know that my 2 stray adopted mutts is/were the most wonderful dogs and is/were a major part of my family.
All of our 4 legged "babies" were rescued. Both dogs were strays. Our Sandy passed last summer and was 16. Panda is 15. Our 14 yr cat martha was adopted at Petsmart from a local no kill rescue organization. She was about 3 yrs old and had been spayed and declawed before she was turned into them. Other than the fact she likes being the alpha in the house, she is great cat. I can't imagine why anyone gave her up.
Tink is 1.5 yrs and I got her from a guy that was giving away a litter of kittens in front of Wal Mart. I truly believe she would have ended up in the river or at the pound if I didn't take her. she was the runt of the litter and was very weak. You wouldn't know that now LOL, she is 10 lbs of pure spunk.