Dog Community

Puppy Sales in Parking Lots

Posted : 3/14/2008 12:58:26 PM

I live in MI and we have a huge problem with back-yard-breeders / puppy mills selling adorable puppies in parking lots for hundreds of dollars. These puppies come from horrible conditions. The mother dogs are bred continuously until they are no longer able to, and then are killed or dropped at the shelter. The adult dogs are kept in filth, receive no veterinary care and are malnourished.

Our county run shelter recently seized 76 dogs from a woman who sells her puppies in parking lots. By the time the court case was over there were well over 125 dogs. Although many of the puppies died from bad breeding. While her court case was going on she continued to sell puppies that were spread amongst her "family and friends" during the seizure. This woman receives disability and collects hundreds of dollars at a time, paying NO taxes, for her puppies.

I believe that when people see these cute puppies they have no idea where they come from. I know I didn't until I got involved at the local shelter. We need to educate the public that legimate breeders will have you look at the facility, meet the parent dogs and you will fill out an application and they will decide if you get the privilege of adopting one of their dogs.

Our group recently met with our senator and district representative to try to figure out the best possible way to put an end to this. Please contact your local officials if you feel this is a problem in your area. Let them know what is going on!!!

BlackLabbie

Posted : 3/14/2008 1:56:22 PM

This is a huge problem in GA too. Many puppies are "accident litters" or BYB's looking to make some fast cash. Many pups are sole in Wal-Mart parking lots....so sad. I, too, believe most of the public doesn't know where these pups come from; they just see a cute little face that needs a home. If I weren't involved with rescue/shelter I probably wouldn't know either. I agree, more officials and public figures need to get this out in the open so more people are aware.

ron2

Posted : 3/21/2008 7:40:19 PM

We have people doing that in north Texas, as well. In Sherman, Tx ( close to the Oklahoma border), byb's would sell in the parking lot of Petco. But Petco employees would run them off. So, they cross the entrance drive and use the Home Depot parking lot. Sherman Animal Shelter has a mobile adoption in front of the Petco every Saturday. But the ACO can only intervene if someone is mishandling their dogs, such as allowing them to roam the median without a leash, or failure to provide shade and water. In Texas, in August, it's not uncommon to have days or weeks of temps of 100 + F.

The surest sign that these are not the most legitimate breeders is that they are selling out of a parking lot. IMO, a legit breeder doesn't breed until owners are lined up with deposit money, which negates the need to sell to the general public in a parking lot. Their very presence in the parking lot denotes their incompetence. Many will have a sign about the dog's registration with one organization or another. But I have stopped by these people a few times and not once did any offer to supply or even have health certs on the parents.

BCMixs

Posted : 3/21/2008 9:15:07 PM

I haven't seen it happening at any of my local Walmarts or other stores (thankfully!) but if I did, I'd probably speak to the manager of the Walmart or ask for permission to also stand nearby the sale with large poster boards of images of puppymills from the PETA website or others that are fighting puppymills and have posters ready for the printing on their websites. Even if Walmart said no, I would probably park my car nearby and have the posters taped to my windows and then shop in Walmart (at least that way, I'd be a customer, they couldn't ask me to leave). Good on you for speaking with your local representatives!