Just curious....Have any of you purchased a dog from a pet store?

Sometimes you are too violent for my taste

 
Because I agreed with Anne that pet stores that sell puppies from mills are bad?
 
Color me violent, then, for expressing an opinion.
 
So far, Shadow has turned out well for being a pet store puppy. And yes, the teenagers that work the counter didn't actually cause the breeding to take place. But just because some good dogs arose from that hellish situation doesn't validate that it should continue. Shadow's age listed on the purchase paper is 6 to 7 weeks. That means he was put in the store between 4 and 5 weeks. And you won't find anyone here, "violent" or not, that says that's a good thing. On top of that, the store he was bought from will not, I repeat will not give me contact information for the soi-disant breeder, who is listed on the paper. In addition to the fact that they don't "guarantee" mixed breeds when there is no reason to even have mixed breeds. The actual scum is the store owner and the manager who are not helpful at all. You may have had a postive experience but I don't think that justifies the industry. I once knew a drug dealer that never went anywhere without his 9mm. But he was a nice guy and generous, too.
 
I don't think we wish to castigate the teenager working the counter after school but if that store wasn't there, they might try working in a grocery store. Or, better yet, work at the pet store but quit selling puppies and kittens. At some point, ethics has to mean something.

Happy to report that nearly all pet shops have stopped selling puppies and kittens here now.  I'm not even sure it's allowed anymore.  When I worked in a pet shop and people came in asking for puppies I told them to go elsewhere - If they wanted a pedigree I gave them a list of breeders in their area to start their search and warned them some breeders were unscrupulous and what to watch out for.  If they wanted a mix I gave them the details for a few shelters in the area and wished them luck.  I was great at putting people off from buying animals in stores.  I probably lost the place shed loads of money.[]

I was great at putting people off from buying animals in stores. I probably lost the place shed loads of money

 
And, in my own "violent" way, I would give you 3 cheers for trying to make the lives of pets and their humans better.

I was in PetSmart today and two teenage girls walked by as I was surveying the various dog biscuits and I over heard them say "I wish they had dogs here." "I know, geez, why not." This was spoken with a rather disdainful tone, and I'm sure they just wanted to look at cute puppies. I tried to look for them to do some education, but couldn't find them. A lot of people simply have no clue how bad things are. Our family got a dog from a pet store probably 35 years ago or so, and I had no idea what the situation was like then. Of course I was like 7, but I've made sure my five year old knows why it's not a good idea to sell puppies in a pet store.

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Happy to report that nearly all pet shops have stopped selling puppies and kittens here now.  I'm not even sure it's allowed anymore.  When I worked in a pet shop and people came in asking for puppies I told them to go elsewhere - If they wanted a pedigree I gave them a list of breeders in their area to start their search and warned them some breeders were unscrupulous and what to watch out for.  If they wanted a mix I gave them the details for a few shelters in the area and wished them luck.  I was great at putting people off from buying animals in stores.  I probably lost the place shed loads of money.[]

I live in Pennsylvania - puppy mill central.  When I first moved here (from Frederick County, Maryland where pet stores cannot sell dogs) I needed parrot food. There was a pet store next to the box store so I went in and asked for parrot food. As the girl was taking me to the right place I saw the dogs, my stomach just clenched up. She thinks I'm crazy because I just said, "never mind, thanks" and walked out. Fortunately there is a Pet Valu in Gettysburg so if I'm ever stuck up here needing supplies I'll go there.

Paula

ORIGINAL: Chuffy

Happy to report that nearly all pet shops have stopped selling puppies and kittens here now.  I'm not even sure it's allowed anymore.  When I worked in a pet shop and people came in asking for puppies I told them to go elsewhere - If they wanted a pedigree I gave them a list of breeders in their area to start their search and warned them some breeders were unscrupulous and what to watch out for.  If they wanted a mix I gave them the details for a few shelters in the area and wished them luck.  I was great at putting people off from buying animals in stores.  I probably lost the place shed loads of money.[]

 
And when and how did this take place.  The last decade?  Protest, peaceful or violent?  Candidates here are available.  Lobbying legislatures?  Seriously?  In the US there is no one source of reliable statistical information on dogs.  Everytime you want to find a number you to extrapolate from different sources.  I did my dealings with Petshops in 70's and 80's.  I would think now in the internet age, people are more informed and choose wisely so my expectation is a decline in the industry.

ORIGINAL: saveastray2day

I was in PetSmart today and two teenage girls walked by as I was surveying the various dog biscuits and I over heard them say "I wish they had dogs here." "I know, geez, why not." This was spoken with a rather disdainful tone, and I'm sure they just wanted to look at cute puppies. I tried to look for them to do some education, but couldn't find them. A lot of people simply have no clue how bad things are. Our family got a dog from a pet store probably 35 years ago or so, and I had no idea what the situation was like then. Of course I was like 7, but I've made sure my five year old knows why it's not a good idea to sell puppies in a pet store.

 
What there was no rescue group doing a foster dog showing?  I hear that from both Petco and Petsmart that they are having a hard time getting rescue groups to bring their dogs in.  I know my rescue group is in high demand because we have a nice display and we have showings at both Petco and Petsmart.

With the exception of the Saturday before Christmas, Petco in Sherman, Tx hosts pet adoptions every Saturday. The PetSmart in McKinney, Tx, hosts adoptions from rescue orgs such as ARK - Texas (no-kill) and Lezee's Legacy (no-kill).

ORIGINAL: ron2

I was great at putting people off from buying animals in stores. I probably lost the place shed loads of money

And, in my own "violent" way, I would give you 3 cheers for trying to make the lives of pets and their humans better.

 
Chuffy's actions may have increased the store's business just like in the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street.

What there was no rescue group doing a foster dog showing? I hear that from both Petco and Petsmart that they are having a hard time getting rescue groups to bring their dogs in. I know my rescue group is in high demand because we have a nice display and we have showings at both Petco and Petsmart.

the petsmart up the street from us only has dogs in there occassionally. i was never sure if it was the store or lack of interest from rescue groups. the group that is in there usually (about every other month) is the spartanburg humane society. they almost always only bring puppies. i know people really want puppies, but i wonder why they dont bring some dogs with them as well.

the petsmart across town doesnt have dogs showings in there very regularly either.

oh and no i havent ever bought a dog from a pet store. although before i knew any better if i would have had the cash i would have bought a beagle from petland. thank godness i was broke. i do feel sorry for the pups and wish them a good life. knowing what i know now, i couldnt in good conscious buy a dog from a store when thousands are dying in shelters.

lately, the dogs i am most drawn to are the senior age shelter dogs. it baffles me how a person/family could dump a dog that had been their companion for many years. i know in some instances maybe the owner died or the dog got lost somehow, but..... the older dogs always seem so sad and depressed. i feel like it would be great to give that dog a good life for his/her few remaining years.

Petland and Happiness is Pets are in the Chicago area.  Petland does purebred and are so overpriced.  Happiness does purebred but has moved more to mixed breed, again way over priced.  Every now and then you will see protesters outside the stores.  I still go in just to see the puppies and play with one or two in their pens-gives the little guys a outing from their wired cage. 

A well organized volunteer group makes these dog showings successful.  About 3 years is when my organization started doing the dog showings at Petsmart.  It took well over a year before the public knew we were there.  Today we have a professional dancer in a dog suite advertising on the busy corner that there is dog adoption inside.  At these dog showings we are quite busy.

I have never nor will I ever buy from a pet shop.  I work in a vet clinic so I get to see firsthand what "quality pups" are turned out from pet shops.  Today, 4 "quality"
 doberman pups, sold just in time for Christmas, came into the clinic.  These pups all came from the same place, but belong to different owners.  3 of these pups have very large white blazes down their chests.  The fourth pup is very underweight, and apparently has kennel cough.  All of these pups are very nervous and have already at about 7 weeks old offered to bite.  I guess the worst part is that none of these families will be able to handle these pups as they mature. (My personal rule of thumb is if you can't control your kids, you don't need a dog)  Any reputable breeder would have screened these owners and quickly declined selling to them.  Sadly, we (the vet & I) play over/under.  As in will they keep the pup over or under 2 months before it is sent to rescue because these uneducated people realize that they can't handle this puppy?

If thats how you feel, did the vet or you ever think of declining the business?  This would help stop the sale of such pups.

The vet actually recomended returning the pups as 3 didn't meet breed standard, and all 4 were not in the greatest of condition, but unfortunately the owners declined.  I personally would love for him to refuse their business, but that is a decision he will have to make and I have no controll over.

ORIGINAL: sheprano

I personally never have but my cousin got the cutest Boxer pup who they sold to her at ONLY 6 weeks old. By the time he was 4 months he had severe arthritis. By the time he was 6 months they had to have him put to sleep, his hip joints and cartilege were mush, he could hardly walk. It was such a terrible lesson for her and her family on BYB's and pet store puppies

I'm not sure what all the circumstances were, but the same thing can happen when large breed puppies are over-exercised, especially on concrete or jumping/going up an down lots of stairs. I've read about the same thing happening (puppies joints turned to mush and having to be put to sleep) with well bred Bullmastiff puppies that weren't given the proper nutrition for a large breed puppy and over-exercised.