Pet Store Puppy

DPU

Because the pet shop, the puppymill dog, and my fosters are one in the same.  They are all part of a continuum that begins with the breeder.  The reasons stated not to buy a pet shop dog are the same 'valid' reason not to buy a shelter dog... health, behavior, lineage, etc.  As illogical as it seems to many, and although it happens down the road, adopting a shelter dog does contribute to puppymills. 

The difference between rescue and buying from a byb or puppymill is who the money is going to and what that money will be used for, and that makes all the difference.  If you give a shelter $1000, none of that goes towards profit.  It goes into food, medical care, supplies, etc.  Not so much with a puppymill.

In addition, unless you are adopting a young pup from the shelter, then you tend to know a bit more about the dog then you would buying from a pet store.  

It also goes back to the question of where I want my money to go.  I am happy to have my money go to a shelter that helps find dogs forever homes.  I am not happy spending my money at a place that helps keep puppymills in business.

Yes, those puppies in the pet store do deserve a great home. And many of them would make wonderful family members. If you find a way to get that puppy out of the store without paying money, then wonderful! THAT is a rescue.

But when you BUY a puppy from a pet store, part of your purchase price goes into the pocket of the puppy mill owner. You keep him in business and financially support the practice of keeping dogs in small cages 24/7 where they have to live in their own filth. They don't get out for exercise, and most don't get proper veterinary care when they are sick or injured.

If you weren't aware of this when you bought a puppy from a pet store, then you don't have to feel guilty. But you should make a point of educating others so they don't do the same.

If someone does realize that they are financially supporting a puppy mill and still buy that puppy in the window, then my only thought is that the person is morally bankrupt.

DPU

Because the pet shop, the puppymill dog, and my fosters are one in the same.  They are all part of a continuum that begins with the breeder.  The reasons stated not to buy a pet shop dog are the same 'valid' reason not to buy a shelter dog... health, behavior, lineage, etc.  As illogical as it seems to many, and although it happens down the road, adopting a shelter dog does contribute to puppymills.  I see this as your ill-conceived advocacy.  Its all too close for me.  So I see all these comments working against me rehoming my fosters. 

The only thing that contributes to a puppy mill is money. They are a business. Once they sell their puppies, they really don't care what happens to them. If the puppies they sold are euthanized or adopted through a shelter makes no difference to them.  

In fact, if none of those dogs were ever adopted out of shelters they would be thrilled. Just means a bigger market share for the puppy mill, and increased sales at the pet stores. Your logic is flawed, adopting shelter dogs in no way supports puppy mills. If anything it hurts the puppy mill owner in the pocket book.

A "rescue" person that would be perfectly willing to financially support a puppy mill. Charming.

DPU

Because the pet shop, the puppymill dog, and my fosters are one in the same.  They are all part of a continuum that begins with the breeder.  The reasons stated not to buy a pet shop dog are the same 'valid' reason not to buy a shelter dog... health, behavior, lineage, etc.  As illogical as it seems to many, and although it happens down the road, adopting a shelter dog does contribute to puppymills.  I see this as your ill-conceived advocacy.  Its all too close for me.  So I see all these comments working against me rehoming my fosters. 

DPU

The reasons stated not to buy a pet shop dog are the same 'valid' reason not to buy a shelter dog... health, behavior, lineage, etc. 

I am completely baffled by everything else you said, but I do agree with the quote above. I've mentioned it before in other discussions. It really irks me when people give the above reasons for not buying a puppy from a petstore and then recommend getting a dog from a shelter- as if there aren't the same issues of questionable health, temperament, etc. It's obviously better to save a life from the shelter, but I think people should be realistic about all the factors.

By the way, I got Gingerbread from a pet store and will NEVER regret it. He's my once in a lifetime dog and he means the entire world to me.

I really could not condone the buying of any pet shop puppy.  HELP the puppy by all means, but don't BUY him.  There are other ways to help that little guy.  Go in, if you have the heart, at a busy time and engage a member of staff in a serious discussion about the pup.  Stuff like,

• What health tests have the parents had and is certification available to look at? 
• Where do the parents live and can they be met before the pup is purchased? 
• What is the temperament of the mother and father, what were they like around kids?
• How many times has the mother been bred in the last two years?
• Is the pups mother and father closely related?
  
• Where was the pup bought from and can the buyer view the place? 
• Is the pup socialised around children and is he accustomed to household appliances, like the vaccum cleaner, washing machine?
• What will happen to the pup if he is not bought?

Note that there are no questions there about lines, virtues, faults, shows, champions, lineage etc., some of which may be of no interest to nearby potential buyers, that may either go over their head or make them think you'r only interested in a "top quality pup" and if they "only want a pet" then they do not need to be concerned.  These are all very. very basic questions, that apply to all pups, of any heritage or background.  These questions may make some folks stop and think... heck may even make the staff member stop and think!  Perhaps the sales assistant works there because they like animals and would be horrified to learn where the dog came from?

A letter to the manager, detailing your concern about the fact they sell puppies.  Ask; do they know of the conditions the pup was bred i n?  Go on to explain about puppymills, assuming the y are unaware.  End by saying you are sure they would never willingly condone such practises and are confident they will stop selling puppies in the very near future,... and you look forward to their response.  If you get no response, send a copy of the ltter to your local paper, and another letter saying that you are surprsied that a) they condone the practises and enable them to continue and b) that they are so rude they haven't bothered to reply.  Include as much info as you can about puppy mills and why purchasing pet shop pup is a bad idea.

Puppies cost a LOT of time and energy.  Devote the time and energy you would have spent on that ONE puppy to try and get just one shop to stop selling puppies.  Make a project out of it.  Start a thread here about it and keep us updated with what happens.  Think how you will feel when you suceed!  WHich you wil do, in time.  Dogs and humans have an affinity that goes back millenia.  Dogs have evolved alongside us and have helped to make us what we are.  As such, MANY people will be easily swayed to your cause.

I won't buy the little guy. Nor will I shop there again. I told DH that we had to find someplace else to get our food while we there in fact. They had shelties, papillons, yorkies and even a st bernard pup in those little cages. It broke my heart.

But it basically comes down to the money... the money spent saving one pup will put MORE dogs at risk. One at a time doesn't truly apply here. Its not the same as taking those pups sold from the back of a pickup in a parking lot and convincing the owners to spay the momma.

Thank you all for your input.

3girls

I won't buy the little guy. Nor will I shop there again. I told DH that we had to find someplace else to get our food while we there in fact.

Good for you guys!

I understand what you went through at the store though. The Christmas before I got Apollo me and Jeremy saw a black lab pup, probably 6-7 months old, in a tiny cage, "on sale" for $300. I could have easily bought him, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it knowing what I'd be supporting. Instead, a couple months later, I saw Apollo on the PTS list of a high kill shelter and adopted him the day (actually a few hours) before he was to be gassed! It cost me $300 for his transport from GA to MA. And that was the best $300 spent.

3girls

I won't buy the little guy. Nor will I shop there again. I told DH that we had to find someplace else to get our food while we there in fact. They had shelties, papillons, yorkies and even a st bernard pup in those little cages. It broke my heart.

Odd that you only limit your boycott to that particular store when your real purpose for going into the store was to buy a particular brand of food.  Shouldn't you also be boycotting the food manufacturer for supplying their products to the pet shop.  It seems to me those in bed with the pet shop owner help make the pet shop store successful and contribute to producing these puppies. 

buster the show dog

DPU

Because the pet shop, the puppymill dog, and my fosters are one in the same.  They are all part of a continuum that begins with the breeder.  The reasons stated not to buy a pet shop dog are the same 'valid' reason not to buy a shelter dog... health, behavior, lineage, etc.  As illogical as it seems to many, and although it happens down the road, adopting a shelter dog does contribute to puppymills.  I see this as your ill-conceived advocacy.  Its all too close for me.  So I see all these comments working against me rehoming my fosters. 

With all due respect, huh? How exactly is urging people to rescue dogs from shelters or rescues instead of buying them from commercial puppy factories working against you finding homes for fosters? And how exactly does adopting a shelter dog contribute to puppy mills? Please explain how the adoption fee that is paid to a shelter or a rescue makes it's way to the commercial puppy factory. I am genuinely mystified by how you think this money trail from shelter to puppy factory works.

I know the question wasn't directed to me, but I can share what I do know.  There are some rescues that go to the auctions and buy dogs to get them out.  They often have to hide the fact they are with a rescue because the auctioneers wouldn't let them in.  From what I understand, they usually buy the older ones who most likely will be killed if they don't sell (and not in a nice way either).  I don't agree with this practice, because it does put money in the millers pockets, even if it does save the life of a mill bitch or stud, but I understand the motivation.  More and more these days, rescues can just wait until the state shuts down a poorly run mill and they'll have their hands overflowing with mill dogs in need. 

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.

there is no other way. Until everyone stops buying puppy mill pups AND stops giving money to pet stores that sell puppies they will continue to exist. DO NOT BUY THE PUPPY. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM ANY STORE THAT SELLS PUPPIES. The puppy won't die or be tortured if you don't buy it; best case it'll end up in a shelter, the pet store and puppy mill will lose money from the pup's production and be discouraged about producing more puppies and maybe even go out of business. And some happy person will truly rescue the puppy when they go visit the shelter.

DPU

Odd that you only limit your boycott to that particular store

Not odd at all to me...it's actually her personal decision where and how she voices her opinions and consumer power DPU...you certainly don't have to agree.

  It really irks me when people give the above reasons for not buying a puppy from a petstore and then recommend getting a dog from a shelter- as if there aren't the same issues of questionable health, temperament, etc. It's obviously better to save a life from the shelter, but I think people should be realistic about all the factors.

I'm never adopting a dog from a shelter again for these very reasons. Practically all dogs around here who end up in shelters are from puppy mills- yet another way puppy mills inflict evil on dogs.  Bet the shelters would be practically empty if only ethical breeders bred. But anyway, knowing how low the chance is of getting a mentally and physically healthy dog from a petstore it's hard to say you'll have any better chance of getting one from a shelter. Possibly lower because many owner surrenders are due to behavioral problems.

mudpuppy

there is no other way.

What?  The OP wanted to be convinced not to buy a petshop puppy.  To me she should not have to go through this struggle and be forced into an advocacy.  It was mentioned that increase competition to meet buyer demand would help.  Did you see what Wisconsin Human Society did, they purchased the largest puppymill operation in the country and effectively put it out of business.  It was also mentioned that it would help by boycotting manufacturers that supply merchandise such as food, toys, and equipment.  The US governement collects taxes on the profits of puppymillers so they share in kitty, voice your concerns to your representative.  Also, breeders should organize and then handle the situation internally.  Lastly, pet shops legitimize their dogs with the AKC papers.  Influence AKC or start another dog registry.  So many different routes to go through instead of depending on the unpredictable consumer and hurting the poor puppy in the store. 

Lots of pet store puppies and puppy mill puppies have AKC papers.... That doesn't make them "legitimate". My randomly bred, spayed shelter dog has papers from the AKC that say she is a pure bred Parson Russell Terrier, of unknown lineage, and is allowed to compete in companion events. How does that make her any "better" than the next shelter dog? She doesn't have a sound temperament OR sound health. She's a fantastic dog, by all means, but she isn't necesarily more fantastic than the next randomly bred dog. In fact, my other randomly bred dog has FAR better health AND temperament, so far. She's made it to 8 months without a seizure, a liver crash, or biting anyone aggressively (she is mouthy, though!). She hasn't broken out in demodex, hasn't had any severe allergic reactions, and hasn't tried to kill any small pets. Emma, though, by that age, had done ALL of the above....

AKC papers mean NOTHING. Champion parents even throw pet quality puppies, and sometimes unhealthy puppies. All champions are NOT healthy dogs.