[janna]

Just a rant on this particular pet store. A co-worker told me this story so I thought I would pass it on. She has a 3 month old puppy, and her roommate decided to get a puppy as well. Instead of going to a reputable breeder she got the puppy at PJ'S. This should have been a huge warning sign, but in the cage with the puppy was stool with blood. They were told the pups had been on Quarantine, and were now o.k. They brought home the dog, and surprise more blood and whining. They went to the vet who said it was a bacterial infection, and to remove the other dog immediately. The roommate clearly upset went to Pj's and wanted her money back and to return the pup she had over 2 days grown attached to. They told her she could only get half her money back!!My coworker apparently went down with her and spoke to the manager and finally got the full refund. This poor puppy was just put back in a cage WITH OTHER PUPPY'S!! They probably went on to resell the pup to someone else. It makes me very angry. I am unsure what kind of infection it was. :angryfire:

 

[Murphys Dad]

:angryfire: That's disgusting!!! They should have made sure the puppy is treated and healed before getting the other pups sick.
Can't they be reported to someone? maybe the SPCA?

 

[Spencer's Mum]

That is really sad to think that this poor dog is probably still suffering and has not received the proper pet care. That is exactly the reason that you should never buy a dog from a pet store. You are never going to get a completely healthy puppy when they are coming from a puppy mill. This just makes me sad.

 

[brandyb]

That's terrible. I hate pet stores and feel so bad for all pups there. BTW, was this the PJ's at WEM?

 

[GloverCharlie]

That makes me really sad!

I would never buy a pet from a pet store except for one here in Australia called Petworks

They have medically trained staff taking care of the animals and then store staff to take care of the others. Their animals always look healthy and well taken care of. I wish there where more of them!

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Quote:Originally posted by GloverCharlie:
I would never buy a pet from a pet store except for one here in Australia called Petworks

They have medically trained staff taking care of the animals and then store staff to take care of the others. Their animals always look healthy and well taken care of. I wish there where more of them!

Have you ever thought about where these dogs come from before they are at the store? They are from puppy mills. They live in horrible conditions and it is cruel really. By purchasing from a pet store, you are supporting a puppy mill. They will tell you that they come from breeders but they don't. They might have "registration" papers but they don't mean anything either.

Sorry, I won't go into a rant on puppy mills but it is definitely something worth doing some research on.

 

[janna]

Caesars Mom the PJ'S was the one at West Edmonton Mall. Disgusting.I am glad I knew better than to ever shop there.

 

[Murphys Dad]

You might make a call to the local Animal Control or Humane Society and let them know. Someone might do a surprize inspection on them.

 

[jeffmeden]

Quote:Originally posted by Spencer's Mum:

Quote:Originally posted by GloverCharlie:
I would never buy a pet from a pet store except for one here in Australia called Petworks

They have medically trained staff taking care of the animals and then store staff to take care of the others. Their animals always look healthy and well taken care of. I wish there where more of them!

Have you ever thought about where these dogs come from before they are at the store? They are from puppy mills. They live in horrible conditions and it is cruel really. By purchasing from a pet store, you are supporting a puppy mill. They will tell you that they come from breeders but they don't. They might have "registration" papers but they don't mean anything either.

Sorry, I won't go into a rant on puppy mills but it is definitely something worth doing some research on.

I know I am probably in the minority with my opinion, but I don't think it's really fair to say that every pet store dog is the product of a puppy mill. It is far too common, but if you put some due diligence into checking the background of the dog (how it was procured/delivered, and who the original breeder was) you can figure out if the dog came from an acceptable home or not.

Honestly, I am just as suspect of any backyard breeder dog than I am of a pet store dog. Due diligence is required in ANY case that you adopt an animal, from the pet store, a breeder, or the humane society. Find out everything you can before you make your decision!

 

[Murphys Dad]

I will say I have a problem with the general statement: "Never buy a dog from a pet store."

First, it generalizes all pet stores. Not all deal with puppy mills.

Second, that puppy or adolescent dog in that store did nothing wrong. It just ended up in a pet store (from a mill or otherwise). To me, it deserves a good home as much as any other full bred dog with papers.

If it was me, I NEVER would have given it back. I would have taken it to a vet, had its problems diagnosed, and then charged/sued the pet store for the costs. And yes, I would notify the SPCA, local Humane Society and Animal Control. This way I know the pup/dog I brought home would not suffer again.

... but that is just me.

Oh... and if that pup would be found to have serious health issues, we would deal with it. Once we take responsibility for a life, there is no going back. Again thats just me.

 

[GloverCharlie]

Well said Murphy & Summers dad I agree

oh and by the way, I know this petstore very well, and know for a fact the dogs don't come from a puppy mill.

 

[Penny's mom]

Thats horrible and so sad! I hate that the puppy isn't going to get the proper care and now the other puppies probably won't either. That's so sad. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Well, no reputable breeder would EVER sell their dogs to a pet store so anyone who thinks that a pet store dog is from a reputable breeder is highly mistaken. A reputable breeder will screen all of their potential applicants and and make sure that the dog is going to the proper home.

Don't get me wrong, I have made the mistake as well and bought my dogs from BYB's. I have since learned a lot about BYB's and puppymils and know that any dog I get from here on out will be from a rescue or shelter. I know that the past of these dogs might be unknown but it is a fact that for every dog purchased from a BYB or puppy mill, 3 dogs are killed in shelters due to the over population problem.

You are correct in saying that it is not the dog's fault where he came from and yes, he does need a home but by purchasing from the pet store, you are directly or indirectly supporting the mill or BYB because you are funding the store to purchase more animals from them to make a profit. If you do not draw the line, how will places like this ever be shut down. It's all about supply and demand and if the demand is not there, these horrible places will be forced to close.

A reputable breeder will breed his dogs to better the breed, or to continue champion blood lines, not just because they have a cute dog and think that they would make cute puppies. Reputable breeders are not just in it for the money.

I won't even buy anything from a store that sells animals because that also helps them support BYB's or mills. Any profit that they make is only going to end up going towards things I do not agree with.

Here isjust one of many articles regarding pet store dogs:

http://members.aol.com/KARENKATO/petstore.html

 

[janna]

I agree with Murphy's Dad too. I would never have given the pup back. I think my coworkers roommate did that to protect the other dog in the house. I don't know for sure, I will ask her and let you know. I would like to know what kind of infection it was as well. She didn't tell me.

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Quote:Originally posted by janna:
I agree with Murphy's Dad too. I would never have given the pup back. I think my coworkers roommate did that to protect the other dog in the house. I don't know for sure, I will ask her and let you know. I would like to know what kind of infection it was as well. She didn't tell me.

I forgot to add, I agree with this as well, had I taken a dog and found out later that it was sick, I would have worked with the place to have him brought to a vet and treated properly but I never would have sent him back. He pretty much has no hope now if he is back at the pet store and back in the show case.

 

[jassy]

Maggie came from a pet store. I didn't realize she was from a puppy mill until she got sick the next morning and we went straight to my vet. She had giardia. It took months to clear this up, but once she was in my arms, nothing would have made me take her back to the store. She is why I volunteer for a beagle rescue. After becoming educated on puppy mills I wanted to do something to help beagles in need of good homes. Maggie has turned out to be a great dog and I am not sorry we got her, I am only sorry that I helped the puppy mills and pet store to profit from their mistreatment of animals.

 

[beaglesmom]

MANY years ago - long before the term "puppy mill" was ever coined, my ex and I were looking for a puppy. We asked our vet to recommend some breeds that met our criteria. He did suggest two breeds (not beagles, by the way), and also told us THEN (this was in the early 70s), to "NEVER buy a dog from a pet store" and went on to tell us that most dogs sold by pet stores are "imported" from out of state breeders, and often come with health problems. He then recommended responsible breeders of the breeds he had suggested. I've kept that in mind ever since. I never considered breeding my dogs and all my dogs have ALWAYS been spayed or neutered UNTIL I got the beagles - and MOST of them are spayed or neutered. I've learned a lot about puppy mills - and about being a responsible breeder - I will ALWAYS take back one of my pups for any reason. Jack was returned because he liked to chase the owner's many cats - he is, after all, a "hunting" dog.
The ONLY dog I've bought from a pet store was a mixed breed about 15 years ago, she was Lab/Shepherd and a little "Honey", (that's what I named her) - I would NEVER buy a purebred dog from a pet store - because many of them do come from mills - or breeders that simply don't care. I screen people who want to buy one of my puppies (not that I have many to sell), I want to know who has my pups and that they are loved, wanted and well-cared for. I talke MORE people OUT of beagle pups than into them. Not everyone should have a puppy - and I usually suggest to those people that either another breed might be better for them, or to get a shelter or rescue dog. My Chloe came from a pet store - but she was given to me by a lady who bought her then gave her up because their older dog didn't like the pup. She is fine, healthy, and adorable - she is, in fact, my little heart. Turns out this lady does this pretty often, falls in love with a pup then decides she can't keep it for one reason or another. My dogs are NOT disposable.

 

[brandyb]

Quote:Originally posted by janna:
Caesars Mom the PJ'S was the one at West Edmonton Mall. Disgusting.I am glad I knew better than to ever shop there.

West Edmonton Mall is right between my work and home. What kind of dog was it? I'll swing by there today and check it out.

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Beaglesmom: Do you do all of the genetics testing of your dogs before you breed them? I am just curious what your purpose is for breeding them?

 

[janna]

Caesar's Mom it is a Manchester terrier The top left kennel, smaller of the 2 dogs in there. I would be interested to find out myself and maybe I will take a drive to W.E.M