What's the deal with pet stores? Do they always get there pets from puppy mills? I've never bought a dog from a pet store because I always looked at them in a negative light. Is this just a stereotype or not? Just curious

Maisha- most pet stores that sell puppies by the breed do get their pups from puppy mills or otherwise irresponsible breeders. They have questionable backgrounds, handling, and breeding/heritage. The only stores that don't are ones that advertise that the animals are shelter animals, like PetsMart.

I personally do not recommend buying a puppy from a pet store, no matter what kind of breeder it came from (unless it is a shelter pup/dog) because even if the pup is well bred, most pet stores do not have the proper set up for puppies and you can never know what has happened to them, what kind of treatment the employees give etc.

Just MHO

 Quote: jennifer marshal

I personally do not recommend buying a puppy from a pet store, no matter what kind of breeder it came from (unless it is a shelter pup/dog) because even if the pup is well bred, most pet stores do not have the proper set up for puppies and you can never know what has happened to them, what kind of treatment the employees give etc.

Just MHO

I agree 100%

The pet store that is in the mall 2 hours away from me sells puppies and kittens. Most of these are mixed breeds of all varieties and some are purebred. They are confined in maybe three by three "areas" with glass fronts. It is SO hot in that store it is unbelievable and all puppies and kittens are panting.

They sell them for UNBELIEVABLE amounts of money....mixed pups for $500 and up, kittens are $90 and up and the purebreds w/o papers are $800 and up.

Most times they are out of water, which, with the heat in there, I can only imagine how much they drink and not to mention the CRAP kibble they feed.

Needless to say they do not like me there since I go in once in a while and point out lack of water, puppies laying on urine soaked towels and fecal matter......I wish people would STOP buying from stores and people like this.

Sorry, did not mean to vent, but places like this are terrible and they need to refuse to take these "litters" and advocate that the people take precautions to stop excess litters when there are SO many unwanted pets in shelters already.

ALL puppies sold in pet stores are from puppy mills - period. Even if the odd one is from a crappy breeder, it's all the same - no breeder who cares about their puppies would let them be sold to the first person who can slap down a Visa card! And if they don't care about what happens to them, they probably put as much thought into breeding them!

Not only would I NEVER buy one - I will not support stores that sell puppies by shopping in them, or even stepping in them. I wouldn't want other people to think I supported them by looking like I'm shopping in one. (no offense to anyone!)

On a recent trip to the US (I'm in Canada) I went into one of the chain stores that I didn't realize sold puppies. When I saw the puppies I immediately asked the clerk if they were rescues or for 'sale' - when she told me they were for sale. I walked out.

If people would stop the "oh, no, the one I got wasn't from a puppy mill" thinking we might be able to stop the mills!

sorry - rant over!

I can't stand them & won't buy anything from a petshop that sells dogs & cats, for all the reasons everyone has already stated. I'm very tempted to lurk around one of them & if someone shows a lot of interest in buying a puppy, quietly give them the low down on petshop puppies to see if it would make a difference.

 Quote: susan tuck

quietly give them the low down on petshop puppies to see if it would make a difference.

Unfortunately it probably wouldn't - and that's where the bigger problem lies...

Think about it, Maisha. If YOUR dog had puppies, wouldn't YOU care what happened to them? Or would you sell them all to a broker when they were 4-5 weeks old? And do this over and over again?

What kind of person do you think does that? A kind, "responsible" breeder who put time, research, thought, and money into the breeding dogs and pups? Someone who has raised the pups in their home and socialized them? Certainly not.

These people are thoughtlessly and greedily creating LIVES, miserable ones at that. Most of the people I know that have bought a dog from a pet store (and paid out the @$$ for the privilege) are actually really good homes. Unfortunately, they didn't put a lot of thought into where the animal that they are going to spend the next 15 years with came from, or the fact that their purchase has just guaranteed there is a demand for more puppies. It matters.

Edit: I just fostered a pregnant momma dog who gave birth to four pups. I raised the litter, and the total cost was well over $3000. (And, I didn't have hip/eye testing, AKC registration or anything else). People who sell pups to a broker for $150 to $200 each, are actually making a profit. Do you think they make a profit if they buy blankets, toys, puppy formula, deworming medicine, premium food? Nope.

You are right, Lee. I have to wonder about what kind of person buys a puppy from a pet shop. Are the stores counting on impulse buyers? I can't imagine anyone who has done even a little research ending up buying from one of those places.

My first job was at a pet shop in our local mall. I think I was 15, it was during the summer of 71 or 72. They had all kinds of purebreds, from giant to toy breeds. When I started they were in the midst of dealing with a contagious disease. The pups would become listless, vomit & have diarrhea, not eat or drink. The owner of the shop claimed he was having a vet look at them but I think that was a lie. Almost every morning I would find a dead or near dead pup. He just threw the dead ones in the dumpster. He kept selling puppies, too. I only lasted a couple of weeks and had to quit, it was very horrible. My parents called Animal Control, but by then the place was in trouble from unhappy customers. The shop closed but re-opened not long afterwards with a new owner, still selling puppies & kittens.

 Quote: susan tuck

You are right. I have to wonder about what kind of person buys a puppy from a petshop. Are the stores counting on impulse buyers?

This and children BEGGING their parents for a "puppy" or "kitty" until the parents give in OR parents discuss it and decide "Yes junior needs a pet to teach him/her responsibility".....UGH!!!!!!

I will never forget this.

I was about 10. so, 12 years ago.

I was in a pet store in the local mall. I remember only one dog. It was a solid white cocker spaniel puppy-for 8000 dollars. 8000.

I was 10, and i knew this pup was not healthy. It was skinny, dirty, his eyes were lifeless, and he just sat there.

that was before i really knew about puppymills, and before i knew how horrid it is to breed solid white cocker spaniels.....and i knew that that was not a good place.


I won't ever forget that....