Pet Store Puppy

mrstjohnson

To the OP.  Compare this to buying drugs from a dealer so he doesn't sell it to someone else.  You are still supporting that dealer.  If no one buys the puppies then the store will stop selling them, stop buying them and one more dog won't have to live in filth in their own poop, be basically abused by being bred everytime she goes into heat.  I know one person can't change the system, but one person and have an affect on another person.

This is absolutely THE best description/comparison I've ever seen.  It's exactly that way -- to buy a pup from a puppy store is to support that store.  As someone said above, I wouldn't even buy food, treats or leashes there. 

ALL puppies are cute.  Unfortunately if you wait a while that pup will likely be bought by someone else supporting an impulse buy, then they'll get tired of him and ditch him.  Then you can get him at your local shelter.

It's the nature of the business -- no, it's not the dog's fault, but sometimes we have to do what is 'right' even if we don't see the end result in front of our faces.

These people are business people -- they're in it to make money.  But to buy a pup from a place like that condemns the MOTHER dog to another round of puppies, probably in a cage she can't stand up in and probably until she dies or just gives out. 

To my mind it's not 'ok' to punish one MOTHER bitch to an endless life of puppy making just because someone will buy those "cute little puppies".

Lori, I totally understand that, and I've felt it. I nearly stole a puppy from a local store, at one point, to get it OUT. The puppy was sick. Instead, I called Animal Control. Apparently, that wasn't the only sick puppy. The store was shut down.

 What makes my heart break is the thought of the parents and siblings of the puppy in the window, who are living in a cage, in filth, in the dark. They're likely in pain. They're likely hungry, and hot or cold depending on the season. They're probably dirty, and have bad skin. Whenever you pay money for a puppy from a horriffic breeder, you're paying them to keep that mommy dog and the daddy dog and a couple of the babies (to be bred back to daddy and produce more puppies) in those conditions. That's why I can't do it.

willowchow

I understand what everyone is saying but the dog is already here.  So, now on top of coming into this world in a terrible way it should not have a nice home?

I just, I have trouble with this issue I guess.

That's just it.  Who says it will have a nice home?  The pet store isn't checking, they could care less. Someone could buy it take it home and breed it into oblivion, they don't give a crap.  They'll sell it to whoever has the cash.  Family of rambunctious toddlers who aren't supervised and who will hurt the pup?  No problem!  Workaholic owner with no time for training who'll leave it crated 18 hours a day?  No problem!  Just give over the cash and it's yours!

If the dog isn't sold, it will either be marked down and discounted until it does sell or they'll dump it at a local shelter.  Buying from that store in any way, discounted or no, will do NOTHING to stop this insanity and horrific abuse. 

Three of my four dogs are rescues. My mother's 2 and my daughter's 1 are all rescues. I have fostered numerous dogs for a rescue. (I'm not fostering at the moment thanks to parvo, but thats temporary.)

Pet store puppy, puppy mills. It's a terrible situation for all the dogs involved. It's also a case of letting one suffer so more don't. It's hard.

In rescue, the only way to get through is to save one at a time. A shelter sends pictures of dogs they have that need saving. The head of the rescue has to decide what dogs she can take, what dogs she can get fosters for; while at the same time, knowing she's leaving dogs behind.

mrstjohnson

The practical reason, undoing what the heartless puppymill and store did to this dog might cost you a fortune and that's only the stuff you can fix.  Not to mention the medical issues that could presist for the life of the pup. 

This article kind of rebutts what you have said.  http://www.americananimalwelfare.com/petstore.html

It just irks me how people with such strong opinions do nothing to change the situation, keepping themselves at a distance.  If you want to change the situation then you have got to get involve.  Shut them down or advocate an improvement in the system, just do something.

To the OP, in all the time that you have patronized this store has anyone approached you inside or outside about the "truth" of the puppies.  Have you ever seen protesters outside?  I visit a couple of pet stores twice a month and when I go in, I keep tabs on the puppies.  I talk with the clerks and also with the customers.  I position my car so my fosters are in clear view of anyone in the store.  If one puppy really tugs my heart, I am sure I will get another pet shop puppy, but usually the price is what holds me back.

Not one part of that article addressed the horrendous conditions of puppy mills who supply the pet stores. All it talk about was, considering the scantily documented instances of illnesses, they have not seen a greater incidence of illness among pet store pups, though there is a slight elevated risk of respiratory infection. But it says nothing about the worn out dams and the dogs living crammed into wire cages elevated so that the poop falls out. And because there is not enough linked evidence, there are still no numbers as to how many of these dogs have problems later on in life. I find the study to be inconclusive and in no way a glowing recommendation of buying from a pet store. And, I would imagine, some millers follow the ways of some old stockman. The defective and truly sick dogs never make it to the store. There out in the back 10 acres somewhere. Survival of the fittest makes it to the store.

ETA:

To others who feel they are rescuing by buying from the pet store, you have only "rescued" the one dog which has done nothing for the countless generations after that one dog. Yes, all dogs deserve a good home. And there is no way to save them all. But yes, you can buy that one dog and give it a good home and possibly might have a 50 % chance of having a healthy dog. Don't worry about the generations of dogs before and after and the condition of the dam. It's just one dog and what difference does that make, right?

willowchow

I understand what everyone is saying but the dog is already here.  So, now on top of coming into this world in a terrible way it should not have a nice home?

I just, I have trouble with this issue I guess.

I'm right with you.

These puppies still deserve good homes and someone who'll love them.

Stop puppy-mills another way.

Well, this thread has just made me physically sick to my stomach.  The one and only dog I have ever bought at a pet store was an integral part of my family.  It was only later that I learned of her heritage.  Shame on me for being ignorant I suppose.  But Codycoe was a great dog, a sweet, loving and intelligent dog.  I'm so glad that I bought her and that she had a wonderful life with me and my family. 

I do get the "stand" everyone is trying to make about supporting puppy mills...but for goodness sake, its not the living, breathing, loving puppy's fault.  Rescue that puppy.

The anwser is to shut down the puppy mills!! 

 If you really want to do something to stop commercial breeding;

http://www.stoppuppymills.org/

I know what it takes out of a bitch to raise a litter THE RIGHT WAY...and the things those dam's are subjected too is tortuous. I have taught both my kids that stores that sell puppies are to be avoided and they know why.

This thread has upset you and I am sorry for that, but I have to be honest and say the HUNDREDS of bitches and dogs suffering upsets me just as much...and their conditions turn my stomach more.

In general? Go to a shelter, that's where REAL rescues happen...IMO.

I also see it from a financial veiwpoint. Let's say, hypothetically, that I just happen to be carrying $1500 in my pocket. I walk into a pet store, and see an absolutely ADORABLE polka dotted Chinese Crested. I drool. I swoon. I purchase. I still have to buy puppy supplies, vet care, have the dog altered, vaccinated, etc.

Same $1500, different scenario. I walk into my local shelter, find an adorable mutt (or, hell, a polka dotted Crested, it doesn't matter...). The adoption fee is $50 there. I hand them the whole $1500. How many dogs does that SAVE from euthanasia? They are also living, breathing, beautiful puppies that deserve a loving home.

I did...that's where Bruder came from, just last month.

I do understand exactly what you mean about the dams who suffer  But again...its not the fault of the living, breathing baby who was brought into this world by the hands of the miller.  Give that baby a shot at a good life too.  Its a rescue as well.

But if you buy the puppy from the store - you have just given the mill $1500 to continue their breeding - that's where I have a problem you are funding their practices.

It is possible to talk to someone at the store and find out when the "leftovers" will be taken from the store - then rescue one of them.  The people there have to understand what is going on and if they have a heart, they will help.

CoBuHe

Its a rescue as well.

That's a matter of opinion. To me it is a purchase of a dog in a store, that funds the suffering of thousands.

I'd never call an impulse purchase of a dog, in a store...or a walmart parking lot, because I feel badly a rescue...rescuing my conscience perhaps...but that's just me.

rwbeagles

I'd never call an impulse purchase of a dog, ..., because I feel badly a rescue

Me either. As someone who's dealing with the parents of those cute little puppies - I just don't see how ANYONE could justify purchasing a dog from a store. These parents have lumps out the door, knee problems (pretty much all 100 of them) breathing problems, some cannot walk, many have seizure disorders. I cannot say that I would feel ok with purchasing a pet store puppy - knowing what I know about the parents.

We have a petition going now to stop puppy mills all together. We have to have it in by the end of the month, but I'm sure we'll do another one. I didn't even think to get signatures here. We do demonstrations at Petsmarts across the county - and have information posted everywhere about these dogs. There is plenty you can do - you just have to do it - stop making excuses, putting things off - the only ones suffering are the moms and dads of those puppies. Don't say someone else will do it, because they just might not.