Puppy Store

fawnmolson · #1 06-29-2009, 09:18 PM

I saw the most disturbing billboards in northeastern Florida while DH and I were househunting...it was an advertisment for a puppy store and if that wasn't disgusting enough the billboard stated "over 30 breeds in stock" like they are a pair of shoes or some cereal at the grocery store. It made me angry!

Caney Creek · #2 06-29-2009, 11:12 PM

That's awful. Those poor puppies! (and their parents too of course

)

I was at a family gathering last weekend and while we're all sitting around chatting I overhear my cousin saying "Last week there was an American Eskimo puppy at PetLand, I played with it and it was so cute...."

I about threw up. Then I find out that they all have made it a regular "thing" to visit PetLand and play with all the puppies there, so they can decide which breed they would like to have when they get a new dog (one of my cousins just got married last month, and the other has been in a serious relationship for a while). They won't buy a puppy from PetLand though -- they said they won't spend that much on a dog.

So of course that means they'll probably just go to some crappy BYB instead. I didn't comment (OH how I wanted to though!) but hopefully I'll get a chance to explain the importance of ethical breeding practices before they find a cheap puppy in the paper. Although I have a feeling that it won't make much difference... they're a little hard-headed about those sorts of things.

Sorry so long... you gave me the perfect opportunity to vent

Pet stores that sell puppies make me sick!!

johann · #3 06-30-2009, 06:50 AM

There are a few pet stores around here too. They adverstise over 30 breeds and new breeds "aka bichonpoo, goldendoodle, shitzu-poo, etc). Everything has to have poodle in it. Just buy a d@mn poodle if thats what you want. Someone I work with bought a 5 month old Puggle from one of the stores.....she spent $1100 on it! Boxers from good breeders (in my area) tend to run a little cheaper than the pet store ($1200)

One of them sells boxers all the time. Unfortunately, its in the same town as the legit breeder I got Johann from. People get all confused when I say that he DID NOT come from a pet store.

RoxiesEcho · #4 06-30-2009, 10:52 AM

I've also noticed that everyone wants to advertise puppies as "non-shedding" There is no such thing as non-shedding, some just shed less or differently. My mom has almost always had a poodle and even those shed, you just don't notice it as much. Ugghhh - designer dogs! Of all the registered breeds in the world, not to mention all the oops mixes, why do people think they need to create more?

My Jake came from an oops litter so we created our own breed - the Border Beagle!

SweetCody · #5 07-01-2009, 07:13 AM

It is sad, and unfortunetly a reality. For the people that don't want to pay that much for a dog......go to the pound, there are plenty of pups there that are cheap and already here. This kind of stuff just makes me so mad. (vent...vent)

sboricua · #6 07-01-2009, 01:34 PM

I live in FL and there are soo many pets stores out here. when I first moved here 3 years ago they were so many and then I noticed that they have gone out of business. I used to go to them and play with the puppies until I read up on puppy mills and pet stores. I know pple are probably tired of me telling them NOT to buy at a pet store but Ima keep telling them.

BigDies · #7 07-04-2009, 06:48 PM

We used to have people come into PetCo when I worked there ALL the time asking where we kept the puppies

. I liked to take that as my cue to get on my soapbox and give a brief education on pet stores and puppy mills. Lots of times people would roll there eyes and I'm sure go elsewhere to find shop.

MeAndMaggieM · #8 07-06-2009, 09:05 PM

Personally I say rescue, adopt or buy from a reputable breeder after doing a ton of research and checking a million references.

BUT...working in the pet industry as a sales person for a pet product manufacturer I know that there are SOME pet stores that truely do get puppies from reputable breeders and do their own research and check references. Now stores who use brokers and BYB's I don't trust a bit. I would NEVER suggest that anyone buy from a store because you just don't know but there are a few trustworthy ones out there.

When I talk to my customers I want to cheer when they tell me they don't sell puppies and kittens and prefer to deal with local shelters and rescues. On the flip side I want to reach through the phone and choke them when they start talking about their wonderful "designer" puppies. I thought they used to call those mutts? I don't think there is anythng wrong with a mutt but let's call a spade a spade shall we?

johann · #9 07-07-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeAndMaggieM

Personally I say rescue, adopt or buy from a reputable breeder after doing a ton of research and checking a million references.

BUT...working in the pet industry as a sales person for a pet product manufacturer I know that there are SOME pet stores that truely do get puppies from reputable breeders and do their own research and check references. Now stores who use brokers and BYB's I don't trust a bit. I would NEVER suggest that anyone buy from a store because you just don't know but there are a few trustworthy ones out there.

When I talk to my customers I want to cheer when they tell me they don't sell puppies and kittens and prefer to deal with local shelters and rescues. On the flip side I want to reach through the phone and choke them when they start talking about their wonderful "designer" puppies. I thought they used to call those mutts? I don't think there is anythng wrong with a mutt but let's call a spade a spade shall we?

A reputable breeder would never sell puppies to a pet store. They could have been BYBs that are decent people and treat their dogs well, but definitely not reputable breeders. Good breeders meet their potential puppy buyers, not just sell the litter to a petstore for anyone with enough cash to buy.

Caney Creek · #10 07-07-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johann

A reputable breeder would never sell puppies to a pet store. They could have been BYBs that are decent people and treat their dogs well, but definitely not reputable breeders. Good breeders meet their potential puppy buyers, not just sell the litter to a petstore for anyone with enough cash to buy.

I agree. Reputable breeders never EVER go through pet stores to sell their puppies.