Phillip your experience is not unique. The reason being pet stores and commercial breeders objective is to make money. Whereas a reputable breeder's is to improve that breed of dog. Many of the prudent consideration made by a responsible breeder cost money to implement and negatively effect the bottom line of commercial breeders. If you must have a puppy always seek out a reputable breed. If a puppy is not mandatory consider a dog from a pure breed rescue.
Personally I well not frequent a pet store or chain that sells dogs for profit. It is my understanding that Petsmart has a corporate policy of not selling dogs. They do frequently allow space in their stores for local rescue groups to promote themselves and the dog they have available for adoption to the general public.
Who is and is not covered it gets a little trick because of lawsuits and appeal. The current regulation could change at any moment but this is how it is currently. The USDA is the major regulator and inspector of the commercial dog raising industry, both the pet market and research. The division responsible for inspection is
APHIS,Animal and Plant Health inspection Service. Their current interpretation of the Animal Welfare Act include breeders that only sell pets retail in the exempt for pet stores from regulation. Any breeder that only sells dogs to individual pet owners is exempt. Also small breeders are also exempt if the have 3 or less breeding females on the premises. All commercial breeders and brokers (middlemen who transport dog between breeders and pet store must be licensed and subject to USDA rules for operations. Last Year the Doris Day Animal League challenge APHIS's interpretation of the Animal welfare act and won summary judgement, The judgement was stayed pending appeal. If the judgment is up held the exemption for breeder that only have retail sale would be eliminated this means virtually all breeders would be subject to USDA regulation Unless the fit the small breeder exemption.
In 1996 AKC started a High Volume Kennel Inspection program. It was the first time that AKC included kennel conditions as a grounds for disciplinary action. . The AKC has no differentiation between commercial and retail breeder. Size is the only criteria. Pet store are also included. AKC's definition of high volume is any one who raise 7 or more litters in a year or any broker or pet store that has 25 transfers in a year.
The USDA has the right to fine, and/or criminally prosecute violators the strongest measure the AKC can impose is a lifetime ban form being able to register dogs.
In the little pet store, BYB story you told the pet store engaged in illegal activity. Pet Stores are only allowed to by from licensed brokers. There is no exemption from USDA regulation for brokers. The problem is the USDA has no way to enforce it because it is prohibited from make inquiries to pet store as to the source(S) of the animals they have for sale.
Michael Tefts
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Worlds slowest agility dog