Pet Store Supports Puppy Mills
 

What do you think about seeing a three legged pup for sale ? :twised:

I have reported them to the Humane Society. I just hope they will finally be shut down.

How did it lose its leg? And what should they do with a three-legged puppy?

3 legs
 

I had a dog with three legs a number of years ago. He was a great dog, full of life and a good and loyal friend. I don't know about this dog but I wouldn't have traded my dog for anything. I don't support puppy mills so I am assuming you have confirmed this? But if you are condemming an animal due to a physical flaw I would not agree with that. Humans can be born without arms or legs but they can still function and lead a reasonably healthy and happy life. I know there are problems but I have been fortunate to see some amazing things acomplished by animals and humans with physical defects. My only questions to you are...Has the dog been checked by a vet and confirmed whether it is in good health? Have you confirmed it has come from a "puppy mill"? What would you suggest they do with the dog?

Not judging anything or anyone..just my opinion.

They shouldn't be buying pups from puppy mills (backyard breeders)...period.:cry:

Do you think a three-legged dog will find it's best home through a pet store??? :surprise:

Oh, you think I am about the dog....

Are you crazy? I wish I could have rescued it there and then. I hope that is what the humane society will do. I would call a breed rescue if I could fine a heeler one in Alberta.

How do you know which stores buy animals from these "mills"? How is the consumer to know? And what's a better place to buy pets?

A better place to buy pets? From a reputable breeder...

You decide if they buy from puppy mills. Research.

How do you find a reputable dealer? How do you know which ones are reputable? As a first time buyer, for example. I'm not being argumentative....I'm asking honestly. I'm relatively new back to Calgary (in the last few years), and don't know lots of people here who've purchased dogs. I never have.

How do you research these puppy mills, too? Do you visit them personally and inspect the conditions? And do you do this with the fish, invertebrates and corals you purchase as well? How can you be sure they were caught, transported and acclimated humanely?

Oh right I forgot, you don't have dogs do you? :lol: :razz: You should check out the Humane Society for cats, seems like that's all they have these days...:wink:

LOL. No, but I do love dogs...and I'd hate to support an inhumane trade. I'm just saying...it seems difficult to really KNOW who is reputable and who isn't. At least for me....it seems like it might be.

But yeah. If I wanted a pet, I'd probably hit up the humane society first.

If you need to find a reputable breeder for a specific breed, do some research. The same way you research your fish purchases I guess.

I can give you some leads for GSD's and Dobermans. Others on here can give you leads for other breeds.

Do you yourself know what backyard breeding is?

I believe it's people who breed dogs to make a buck....not necessarily with the knowledge of what it takes to breed appropriately/responsibly/ethically/etc.

Hey, I'm just curious here...not trying to raise a stink :) I considered getting a dog, but decided against it as I feel my apartment is too small, and that I don't have the time to devote to such a social creature with specific needs.

Just out of curiosity, what's a GSD? And do you think a Doberman would be happy in my 1100 sq. foot apartment? :p

IMO the best thing to do is ask to see the parents.There are now ''breeders'' who are buying dogs from other sources and giving the impression that they are their own.Everything looks like a ''mom and pop operation'' but some of these people are making a full fledged business out of this out of their home.

A GSD is a German Shepherd Dog. That is the exact name of the breed. :mrgreen: If you like a velcro demanding dog, that is the Doberman. The well-bred one, anyway.

Seeing the parents is fine. But do you know if they are clear of the possible genetic defects etc for the breed ? Make sure of that.

Anyway, *edited* is notorious for buying from puppy mills. Google it. I have to see it, because I go in there to look...it haunts me. Not in the rest of the city apparently. In fact, how many places are there in Calgary where they sell puppies of unknown origin?

How to buy a dog;
Talk to a veterinarian and get breeder listings from them, then contact the breeder, ask to meet them and their dogs and get many many references. Get the breeders vet's name and ask for a reference from them too. Then because you have researched the breed you know what other things to ask about...ie hips and elbows are free from hip dysplasia, their eyes are clear and have been tested, they have no inherited issues in their lines, etc

I am with ya on the puppy mills....sad sad state most of those dogs live in all their lives. My Mom manages an SPCA and their job is so tough.

Hopefully the SPCA there can and will inspect the pet store that has the puppy BUT unless there is a health concern, it is not being fed/given water, kept warm and dry etc there isn't a bunch they can do with the puppy...after all it's not illegal for pet stores to purchase puppies wherever they want...and then they get the impulse shopper that has to buy that "Dachshund type" or "Purebred Bichon Poodle mix" (love those ones:twised:) for $1200.00.

Anyone interested in a dog should always research, research, research first...just like we preach here!

Absolutely well put !

Our vet got us in contact with a doberman breeder who also did breed rescue. As a result, we adopted a wonderful dog, albeit less than perfect...:lol:

Emily,

The only reason *edit* is notorious for buying puppies from puppy mills is uneducated "heros" trying to make a difference, continuing to spread these rumors. Guess what, I happen to know the woman who purchases puppies for the Canadian corporate stores quite well. And I know for a fact that everything you say about the Canadian *edit* is puppy C**P.


*edit* adopts puppies as well, does that by default make them purchase from puppy mills too?

*edit* provides an essential service so not only elitist dog lovers such as yourself can purchase dogs. If consumers were robbed of this venue for adopting puppies wouldn't the majority of them resort to the bargain finder for their puppies? You find this to be a better route?

And by the way Emily, i strongly disagree with you that a three legged puppy does not deserve a loving permanent home. You may wish to see this animal destroyed, but it still deserves a life. I am sure there are many qualities about yourself that are less than perfect. Should one immediately take these into account upon meeting you for an accurate judgment of your worth?

The best place to start if you're looking for a purebred dog is your local dog show. You can meet with the breeders, and they are more than happy to talk to you about their breed. All my best dogs have been mixed breeds so I hope your not saying anyone who breeds a mongrel is a puppy mill. We work in the pet industry so we see all kinds of "breeders" (Labradoodles LOL) and the true puppy millers make me sick. These people are nothing like someone who lets their dog have a couple of litters, they're pure evil. At the other end of the scale are the elitist purebred breeders who believe the only dog of value is a show champion. Give me a mutt any day.

Backyard breeders and puppymills are not same thing. I have seen some wonderful backyard dogs that have had a litter of puppies that are better socialized and cared for then some reputable breeders puppies.

Hmm
 

The one question I asked and you have still not answered is how do you know that this dog is from a "puppy mill"? If you do report this to the authorities, the first question they will ask is what proof you have. "Gut" instinct isn't enough. You have said in your previous posts that another member should do his research. Have you done yours? I am very familiar with the deplorable condition that dogs{amongst other animals} are kept in when they are in these inhumane breeding factories. My question still stands. What proof do you have that this animal is from a "puppy mill"? If it is indeed from a "mill" then the pet store in question and the "mill" operators should face the concequences. I have worked with both the S.P.C.A. and law enforcement officers and have seen some horrible situations regarding animals. I have also seen reputable breeders been put under the microscope due to an uninformed opinion. I am talking about breeders who go above and beyond when it come to the care of their animals. If you are going to proceed with your charges against this "Store" then make sure you have all your facts and document all your evidence against them so they can face charges. I am not against you on your quest for humane treatment of animals, I am concerned that you may not have the "evidence" that you need to charge these people.

I have worked in several pet stores, and for about 10 years, my family owned and operated one. We sold dogs, as well as the rest of the usual small-animal and bird menagerie. We were reasonably responsible, and bought from local breeders for our purebred stock, and sold love-pups, too (small town, no local shelter).

I offer this advice to anyone looking for a dog: A pet store is the last place to go to buy a dog. Staff are low paid, often untrained. Puppies are separated from their mothers too soon, as they sell best when they are fluffy and cute, and you need to allow for some "stock" time. It isn't unusual to see 5 and 6 week old pups in pet stores. Their immune and digestive systems are still developing, and they're put in a high-stress, high-contagion environment.

There are pet stores that do a marvellous job of caring for thier dogs, training their staff, and sourcing and placing dogs. But, given that there are much better alternatives, as described elsewhere in this thread, this is a slice of the business that doesn't need to exist.

In the words of Dennis Miller: "But that's just my opinion... I could be wrong."

Evidence is not a common tool use for these people that complain about retailers that deal with puppies. They consider some random links pertaining to a random franchise in the US as all they need. If someone wanted to get evidence, they would have researched this 3 legged dog a bit before posting here. They would have found out, as I did this morning, that this poor pup was rescued from a reserve by the Pets for Life Foundation. They would have also found out that his leg needed to be amputated because he was found after being struck by a vehicle, the damage too severe to save the leg.

Um, that's not what she said. She wanted it rescued from the pet store, which in my opinion, is the worst place for a dog to be.

If you want a dog, research breeders, talk to dog club members, get to know something about the breeder. I'm looking for a Border Collie right now, so I need to check for eye sight issues, hearing problems, hips, etc. Early neurological stimulation is another thing that might be worth researching. Also, many of the best breeders don't own both parents, so you can't see both. This way they get to breed with the best out there, not just the best in the yard. Inspect bloodlines of the a few generations back, good breeders have these records. I'm looking for an agility/herding dog, so I'm being picky, but if you just want a dog buddy, go save one from the SPCA. My dog came from there and is just the greatest bozo around! :)

So your saying that this dog is better off in the SPCA where it will be put down if it cannot find a home, which is quite likely for a dog in this condition, opposed to a pet store where it is guarenteed to find a home? Correct?

No, you're getting all excited and not reading. Deb suggested contacting a blue heeler rescue for the dog, if one existed in alberta. And yes, the dog would be better off in a rescue environment, where they would likely find a home setting for it until such time as they found it a real home. Sitting in a retail box is not good for anything smarter than a hamster....

If it wasnt for the Pets for a Lifetime organization going out an rescuing the dog it would be definately dead by now. Now realistically, yes a home setting would be better for this animal. And he came from a home setting while he acclimated to a condition to where he would be fit for a transition to a new home. Unfortunately he cannot stay there for it's entire life because there is more dogs/cats that need to be rescued from these conditions. That is why he gets moved to a venue for maximum exposure in order to find him a home.

Ya, the point, I guess, is some of us don't think maximizing exposure is worth putting a dog in a pet store. And let's be honest, unless the pet store is giving him away (maybe they are? ), nobody is likely to buy a 3-legged dog. Not even for 25% off :)
The general point of this whole thread is that dogs should not be sold in pet stores. And I strongly believe people, that just because they own one of each sex, should not try to breed sub standard dogs in their backyard. This applies to commercial operations (puppy mills) as well. dogs should be bred and sold by qualified and caring breeders who have the experience to produce great dogs that aren't going to end up with tons of medical issues or mental issues.

It is very rare to find a breeder like this. Almost nobody waits until the hips are checked before they even show a dog, and if you've spent a ton of money getting a CKC championship on your puppy most can hardly wait to breed them. Honestly, barnyard dogs most often make the better, healthier pets.

Well, most of the breeders I've researched do this, so I guess it's how hard you're willing to look. I agree some (many?) "breeders" don't, but then I wouldn't really call them professional breeders.
And yes, barnyard mutts do make great pets, and cross breeds do seem to avoid many of the inherent problems of either of the parents, but if you're looking for a purebred, like I am ( I need particular abilities), I need to research and find suitable breeders.

So even though maximizing the exposure of the dog is part of the system that got it rescued in the first place, this should not be done? If this wasn't done, Pets for Life would not be able to rescue as many dogs. There is not alot of people that are going to drive all the way to the acreage to view these animals and adopt them.

And BTW, you would be surprised the amount of people that would be willing to adopt a 3 legged dog, even for a small adoption fee that does not even cover the vet expenses to bring it back to health.

My point is there is often better ways to maximize exposure. Most rescue societies have a web site and a large circle of contacts. I have some friends involved in pitty rescue and they do a great job of exposure, finding temporary home settings and getting dogs adopted. This gets them out of the pound and into real life settings.
Sure, it might work out better this time for this dog, but in general, I, at least, feel dogs should not be sold in pet stores, and in fact, I do not shop at stores that sell dogs, period.

There were four dogs in the litter btw. All for sale.

The Humane Society has advised a letter to the head office which is about all I can do.

BTW, I also know an employee of *edit*. No, ex-employee actually, he resigned.

Thank you Brad for not letting the wrong words be put in my mouth. My husband does that enough....:lol:

That would be terribly inconvenient. And pretty much sums up the mentality of many of the puppy buyers.

We drove to Seattle and back to adopt a greyhound. Do you see the difference?

I've got a line on a pup that is currently in Illinois...ya, that's inconvenient, but well worth it for the right dog..

Wow,

I thought the MH vs T5 was a hot topic on here. But serisouly, the common ground here seems to be that fact that you all care deeply about the welfare of animals. I think that is the most important part. And it would be a good idea for everyone to just keep that in mind. I would hate to see friendships turn sour after this debate. It looks like everyone has the same end goal, the best care for an animal in mind. And if things get heated just keep in mind every one here wants the best outcome for any animal. Right Tang Police?

Still no answer
 

Well I have watched this thread with interest and my question to Emily still hasnt been answered. What proof do you have that this store supports "puppy mills"? I dont care whether you drove to Mexico to buy a dog, the thread you started states that this store?? supports "puppy mills" I am neither affiliated with this or any pet store but if you are going to accuse a company of this, you better back it up with facts. Whether it is someone smuggling parrots, or fish, or whatever, the accusation has been made by you. So what proof do you have? Have you seen this "mill"? I would stand behind you 100% if you actually have some proof and not hearsay from a disgruntled employee. Is this employee willing to swear about what he has actually seen? If you don't agree that dogs should be sold in pet stores, then what about other animals? Cats?? Ferrets?? Hamsters?? Reptiles?? even Fish?? it boils down to the type of care that both the pet store provides to the animal. I don't deny there are pet stores I would like to see crumble to the ground, but there are still a select few that actually provide good care to all their animals. Maybe not many, but there are a few. So my question which you have still not answered remains. What is your proof that they support "Puppy Mills"? Simple question..maybe not a simple answer.

Yup, pretty simple answer. Reputable breeders of dogs DO NOT sell their puppies to pet stores. Pet stores DO NOT pay the price charged by reputable breeders. What is left is discount high volume breeding kennels, commonly referred to as puppy mills, because they can pump out the dogs at wholesale prices. The other source of pups for the retail stores comes from the private backyard breeder who either can't sell privately or doesn't want to take th etime to find suitable homes for the pups they may or may not have planned on.
Neither of these sources are good sources for a quality dog. Not gauranteed to get a "bad" dog, but certainly not gauranteed to be a good dog. Example. My parents bought a dog from the pet store that (eventually) was confirmed to have come from a "mill" at 5 months of age, it's heart exploded. The dog died in my dad's arms. The pet store stated that it was not the only dog from that litter that died of heart problems. Parents out one dog.
A reputable breeder would have worked hard at avoiding this ever being intorduced into their breeding line, and should something like this have happened, their would have been a gaurantee to either replace the dog or refund the purchase price.

So yes, although we may not have video footage of the dark alley puppy transaction, we can be well assured that "most" dogs from a pet store did not come from a reputable breeder.

There is an agency that will assist Canadians in adopting Mexican dogs if you want one, no need to drive all the way there :)