[Betsy Iole]

With Christmas fast approaching, some people might consider purchasing a puppy at pet store. Please be aware that pet store puppies are produced by puppy mills, and that buying a pet store puppy supports the cruel and inhumane practices of the puppy mill industry.

Better, ethical sources for dogs include responsible breeders and local shelter or rescue organizations. Bear in mind that responsible breeders and organizations may encourage new owners to wait until after the holidays to bring home a new dog. The stress and commotion of the holidays may not be the best time to introduce a new member to the family.

Some links on finding a responsible breeder:
Finding a Good Breeder
Checklist for the Responsible Breeder
Reputable Breeder vs. the Backyard Breeder

For more information about puppy mills, please refer to the excellent article posted by Mary (murraysmom) on the Rescue and Adoption Forum, Damaged dogs plucked from the assembly line: inhumane 'puppy mills' come under increasing state and local enforcement. Some puppy mill descriptions from this article:

In Independence, Va., the owner of a suspected puppy mill faces a court hearing Dec. 17 on multiple animal welfare charges after county animal control officials seized 20 puppies, which they said she was breeding and selling for $400 apiece. “The conditions there, stated in a single word: deplorable,” said Glen Richardson, a Grayson County animal control officer. The puppies had parasites and had been eating food meant for adult dogs; three died from severe malnutrition.

In Honey Brook, Pa., the local SPCA took in about 24 dogs from a suspected puppy mill after it went to court for a warrant. The facility was not heated, and the dogs had dental and skin conditions. SPCA workers said they suspected more dogs had been at the facility but were removed before the raid Saturday.

Late last month, 78 malnourished puppies of many breeds, some of them 20 to 40 pounds underweight, were removed from a licensed kennel in Lehigh County, Pa. “Their backbones are all showing,” said Harry Brown III of the Animal Rescue League in nearby Berks County, who said some of the puppies were suffering from an infection from drinking stagnant water.

And Wisconsin animal control officials took custody of nine dogs and threatened to shut down a facility where dozens more were housed after viewing videotape shot by NBC affiliate WGBA-TV of Green Bay. On the tape, which was shot in early November and shared with Shawano County sheriff’s officers, dozens of dogs can be seen crammed into small crates stacked atop one another, so that dogs on top were allowed to urinate and defecate on dogs and their food below.[/b]

And another link, How to save pet-store puppies: Don't buy them.

 

[Houndsong]

I'm very surprised to see the number of bassets and puppies of all stripes for sale via the internet, some with free shipping :blink:. How in the world does an 8-week old pup survive that? Who would buy sight unseen in this manner?

 

[Betsy Iole]

Most of the dogs sold over the internet are also the product of puppy mills. Internet-direct sales eliminate the middle man, increase profit, and allow a breeding operation to dodge regulation. Many internet-direct puppy sellers try to market themselves as if they were respectable breeders, and some even steal and post photos of show-quality dogs from show kennel websites. I wouldn't recommend anyone purchase a dog over the internet. From the last link, here is some discussion of how to recognize internet-direct puppy mills:

How to tell if the breeder found on-line is a puppy mill:

-they take visa, mastercard or paypal before they ever speak to you

-they don’t ask questions about why you want a puppy or what kind of home it will have

–they require non-refundable deposits

-they will ship anywhere

-they have multiple litters advertised or “always” have pups available or on the way

-they bad mouth other breeders or AKC or National Club member breeders on their sites and often claim “special” breeding programs that eliminate all disease etc….

-they may even offer unrelated breeding pairs or trios and may push the idea of breeding for profit[/b]

 

[Yogi's Mom]

There is a local family owned pet store in my neighborhood where I used to buy the food for my dogs but I stopped going there because they started selling puppies. The guy who owns the store always said that he wouldn't sell puppies there. He used to do adopt-a-thons and hold special events for homeless dogs and maybe he still does but I wouldn't know because I don't shop there since he started selling puppies. The worst thing is that he says the puppies are all family raised and not puppy mills. Get real. Any responsible breeder would never sell their puppies to a pet store. They want to meet you and your family before they agree to sell you a puppy. They want to know what kind of home their dog is going to have and will ask you just as many if not more questions then you ask them. I always try to tell people don't buy from pet stores, find a reputable breeder. Sure you can still have problems with a dog but a good breeder will help you with any problems you might have with the dog and they will take a dog back no matter what the problem is, whether you had the dog for one month or a few years. I figure if enough people would not shop in places like these maybe it might make a small difference.

 

[rkw]

Grace was my x-mas gift , I got her early , I'm the only one in the house with a gift so far. not from a pet store tho.

 

[shakerag]

This is a topic that responsible pet owners should be compelled to spread the word about. A person,or persons, who are cruel to helpless animals are of the same mind-set as those who abuse children. Each member here has the power to urge our elected officials to agressively enforce the laws that are designed to protect our beloved pets and companions. Our votes, collectively, speak.
don

 

[murraysmom]

Each member here has the power to urge our elected officials to agressively enforce the laws that are designed to protect our beloved pets and companions. Our votes, collectively, speak.
don[/b]

Because puppy mills are a hot issue in Lancaster County, this past November the local chapter of The League Of Humane Voters made available on-line ,voting records of those running for office, regarding animal legislation. One judge in particular, who had a history of siding with the puppy mills in court, was defeated.

Don is right: on a local level, your vote does make a difference!

 

[baroosmom]

Add my voice to this fight. I am furious that there are so many puppy mills. I do have to admit that I was very uneducated on the subject when we got Baroo. I believe now she came from a mill. I am glad she is not part of that anymore though.

 

[2hounds]

We were at the mall last weekend and it broke my heart to see all the puppies and kittens in those small glass cubicles with only shredded newspaper in their pen. Each pen had a sign about "Take your puppy/kitten in time for the holidays...financing available." It took everything in me not to just begin a protest right there and then. (We never shop at the pet stores that sell puppies, but I do go look for Bassets) We came across a Basset boy and I started crying right there in the pet store. My husband then decided that it was time to get out of there and fast.

~Heather

 

[mpacker99]

This is a topic that responsible pet owners should be compelled to spread the word about. A person,or persons, who are cruel to helpless animals are of the same mind-set as those who abuse children. Each member here has the power to urge our elected officials to agressively enforce the laws that are designed to protect our beloved pets and companions. Our votes, collectively, speak.
don[/b]

a while ago i decided to get a St Bernard. I called a breeder and when I drove up I had a feeling that I should turn around but unfortunately I didn't. Both the male and female were chained up and outside with no fence around them.

To make this VERY long story short, the breeder gave me papers etc and after 6 weeks of dealing with the AKC he lost his license ... the dog was NOT a St. Bernard (at least not fully), a good dog and very friendly ...but not a pure Saint....

The Basset I have (from a dog pound) is supposed to be pure..but I don't really care... he's a whoot, he's been here 3 days and i've honestly never laugh my butt off so much watching and playing with him. Today was the first day I left him alone b/c of work and I came home at lunch and was excited to see him and just as excited when I got off work.

The puppy was found right before christmas and was almost dead b/c of no food, the pound people named him Doc Holiday (for the doc that saved him right before the holiday)....

I guess the point is there are good breeders and then there are some "backyard" breeders.... I learned just b/c they have papers doesn't mean anything.
To honest/upstanding breeders please take no offense to this, it's not meant that way.

 

[corvuss]

Mpacker, just an FYI, there are
Responsible breeders,
Puppy mills - have dozens or hundreds of dogs, varying conditions but all are a bad way to breed/keep dogs, profit-driven,
Backyard breeders (byb) - usually have only a few dogs, they think they are responsible but they aren't, also profit-driven.

Other folks here are far more knowledgeable than I, and can give you better information, but I do know not to buy dogs from pet stores, online, from byb, or anyplace except a reputable breeder.

My 2 hounds are rescues. Even though the idea of a puppy is very appealing, I can't see myself ever buying one. In my area there is never a shortage of dogs, including bassets, that need homes. Until the day comes where that is not the case, (sadly most likely never) I'll stick with rescues.

Oh yeah, don't patronize any pet store that sells puppies or kittens. Don't even buy pet supplies from them, any money they get encourages their bad business.