Nicer than usual pet shop story

[RD]

Mel, I respect you very much, but this statement is out of line. Who are you to say who and who doesn't support "the good of the dog"? You are not me or these other people, and you do not own and control my or their feelings. You cannot tell me whether or not I am a person that cares about dogs or not.

You may be disgusted with our holding the opinions that we do, but we are disgusted with your judgemental and condescending tone.

Tessa, I respect you very much, but calling Melanie judgmental and condescending is out of line.

People who praise petstores and petstore puppies are not interested in the good of the dog. Period. People who know better and are still "on the fence" about petstore puppies are not interested in the good of the dog. Yes, it's all fine and dandy to be optimistic about it, but what kind of change is this going to make? Seriously? I have to say I am surprised that you of all people are now so indifferent about this . . .

I agree with Sparks that baby steps are better than no steps at all, but is this worthy of all the support it's getting? It's still puppies being sold in a pet store. If people were to look at this thread and decide that there are "reputable" pet stores out there that sell "good" puppies, and go out and buy one, their unworthy cause would be getting even more support.

Any petstore that sells puppies and kittens is a store that I will avoid like the plague. I am in 100% agreement with BuddysParents, particularly post 120. She said it beautifully.

 

[joce]

the only time I think its ok selling pups is if they are resuces-truly rescues and not ones people breed and sell for hundreds of dollers.

the petland by me is conected to a vets office and when they would get strays instead of taking them to the pound were the get pts for sure they would alter them adn offer them up for a hundred bucks or so. I think they stoped doing it cuz its not a petland accepted thing to do. But while it lasted it was great. I guess thats almost just what they do at petsmart.

there is no way around the fact that no good breeder sells to petstores. Even accidental litters deserve a good chance to so thats also not an excuse to supply the stores.

these small in town breeders are no better than large scale puppymills. back yard breeders and puppymills are in the same class-neither is better than the other.

 

[~Jessie~]

Hmm.

I have two mutts and I am d@mned proud that they own me. The love, compassion that those two furballs hold in their hearts can not be measured nor compared to any other. So you abhor all you want and I will love with all of my heart.

But anyways, back to the topic.

The problem I have with this here issue is that a pet store, a STORE, has someone going around finding the best mutts out there (or possibly purebreds, (coming from a BYB)) to sell.

We all acknowledge, this, yes?

Good. Next...

They post pictures of the proud mom and pop and put all this health information. What health information exactly? Because if it's a mutt, there is no health information to put, really. The so-called-breeder can not offer any health gurantees because the mixture of two dogs is just uncertain. And, well we've pretty much decided that a responsible breeder would not show case their titled, health certifed dogs at a pet store, so I won't waste my time on that one.

Follow me still?

Gooood.

Shelters are over-worked, under-staffed, over-budget and have less and less room due to the irresponisbility, carelessness of a great number of people in this world. ( I am not including the poor circumstances that would leave a ten year old dog homeless after its 80 year old owner has died, etc.).

So, really, what would be a great and honorable thing to do?

*raises hand* Pick me, I have the answer!!

This petstore with good intentions should walk their happy selves to the nearest shelter. Adopt out 10 of the dogs. Any dog, cute, old, young, tall, large, small... ANY DOG (that we assume of course has been temperment tested, etc) .

Then, they should showcase those dogs. They should tell these dogs stories, tell how they have been homeless for 2 months beacause their previous owner passed away. Tell how they were given up at 3 months because their owners were to lazy to acknoledge that getting a dog is a full-time committment. Tell how they were beaten and starved and neglected because their owner left them tied out on a chain when all they wanted was a good meal, a warm hand to pet them and a kind soul to love them.

Then, and only then, would I say that this is a nicer than usual pet store.

Because all this pet store is doing right now is putting money in the hands of BYB's. Supporting them. Providing means to continue to the deaths of so many dogs.

I completely agree.

 

[Gillian]

If you read my original answer, you would find that I do not support pet stores. I am just trying to think of a better way, for the good of the dogs that have already been born. I have also tried to educate people in my country as to what a back yard breeder is and why it is so bad for the future of any given breed. This is not as well-known a concept here as it is in the US. We have only started seeing the rise of puppymills in our country. I would say that, with regards to puppymills, we have been lucky so far, but it seems our luck is running out. Other than that, we have very few good breeders as opposed to byb in South Africa and most do not see anything wrong with selling their dogs in the newspapers or in petshops. As somebody else said; it will take baby steps to educate here. I myself am learning day by day.

Buddy's Parents,

You have me all wrong on the Mutt terminology. I find this term dispicable when it is used by people who show obvious comtempt for any crossbreed. It is the way that it is usually intended, to show a crossbreed to be worthless, that irks me. I have no objection to anything you wish to call your dogs affectionately.

Gillian

 

[planet molosser]

I see no reason why any dog should be sold in a pet store period.
The object of the pet store good or bad is the bottom dollar.
And many get these pet shop pups to breed and make back the high price tag they paid for them so they are not going to agree to s/n.

Breeders can take a chance an lose money on a dog to make sure it is in the best possible home vs how is going to spend the most Pet stores can NOT.

I want to see all SALES of pet store dogs to STOP.
While we are at it I would love to see all websites that you can add one dog to the cart to stop as well.
And this does not include adoption clincs at pet smart.

 

[lakotasong]

So, how about a movement to force petshops to sell with a spay/neuter contract?

I can't see the point in wasting time on that sort of legislation (which won't pass, in my opinion) when we should be working on legislation to OUTLAW the practice of puppies being sold in pet stores.

 

[~Jessie~]

But if they outlaw the sale of puppies in petstores, the great American farmers will lose a lot of money. The problem is, most of the economy in puppy mill states (like Kansas and Missouri) comes from, well, puppies

If puppy mills are banned, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people.

This frustrates me like crazy... Puppymills and petstores are the number one thing that sets me off...

Until customers stop supporting and buying dogs from petstores, they will continue to exist. I doubt any laws will be passed against puppymillers.

It is really disgusting that things like this continue to go on... I don't understand how anyone can exploit such innocent creatures.

 

[lakotasong]

But if they outlaw the sale of puppies in petstores, the great American farmers will lose a lot of money. The problem is, most of the economy in puppy mill states (like Kansas and Missouri) comes from, well, puppies

If puppy mills are banned, there are going to be a lot of unhappy people.

That's just too #$%!ing bad for those people!!!!! Those people make a living by ABUSING dogs as breeding machines. As far as I'm concerned, those people can live in a cardboard box on the side of the road!!!

 

[~Jessie~]

That's just too #$%!ing bad for those people!!!!! Those people make a living by ABUSING dogs as breeding machines. As far as I'm concerned, those people can live in a cardboard box on the side of the road!!!

I wish that these people could be caged, forced to lay in their own waste, given rotted food, and "de-voiced."

A cardboard box on the side of the road would be way too nice for them

 

[blue]

That's an idea smkie. There might be room for some of that strategy...

One challenge for them would be managing criticism by the public, aka "Oh, that place, they just get their dogs from the shelter...don't know where they've come from, how old they are... I could go to the shelter myself if all I wanted was a reject." (Know what I mean?)

They could pick the best ones...but would still have to be honest with customers about where they came from. Also, some shelters may not let them have them...although if they built a good relationship, maybe...

Hm...some tricky bits...but an idea worthy of further consideration!

Del.

According to some people its all or nothing. No babysteps allowed.

 

[ToscasMom]

Believe it or not, the Petsmart in my area doesn't sell dogs or cats. I guess it doesn't work out well here. Ain't that too bad.

Instead they have a station that is manned by the Humane Society. They have animals up for adoption there from time to time. The setup is nice and clean and the animals are behind glass so they aren't overly disturbed.

 

[blue]

How about petstores selling wild caught fish? Or wild captured reptiles, and arachnids?

I get my catfood and litter from a petstore. I used to get the majority of my fish equiptment and food from a pet store, I even bought fish there not knowing if they where bred in captivity or wild caught. I have no idea if the sting rays I had where wild or captive bred. How about rodents, and their equiptment for their care? Even the local animal feed stores sell live animals, just not dogs or cats, are they ok to shop at? How about online stores that sell items that in untrained hands can hurt their pets?

So are all pet stores bad? Or just the ones that sell puppies and kittens?

*edit*

The local Petzoo, Petco, and Animal Food Warehouse do not sell puppies or kittens and all three weekly have an adoption day for local rescues.

 

[jess2416]

Believe it or not, the Petsmart in my area doesn't sell dogs or cats. I guess it doesn't work out well here. Ain't that too bad.

Instead they have a station that is manned by the Humane Society. They have animals up for adoption there from time to time. The setup is nice and clean and the animals are behind glass so they aren't overly disturbed.

No Petsmarts sell dogs or kittens they all have adoption events (that I'm aware of anyway)

 

[ToscasMom]

Well then that explains it. I think it's a great idea. At least it doesn't perpetuate the very thing this thread is about.

 

[~Jessie~]

Yes, Petsmart has the local adoption agencies adopt out pets on certain days. They give them a certain amount of space in the store, and give out lots of coupons and free stuff to the people who adopt the animals. Petco does the same thing

 

[lakotasong]

PetSmart doesn't sell the rescue dogs and cats at their store, they only showcase them. If you are interested, you fill out an application and it is returned to the rescue organization for consideration.

 

[ToscasMom]

The times I've seen it at Petsmart, the Humane Society had a representative there to bring people to the animals and fill out the applications.

 

[RD]

How about petstores selling wild caught fish? Or wild captured reptiles, and arachnids?

I get my catfood and litter from a petstore. I used to get the majority of my fish equiptment and food from a pet store, I even bought fish there not knowing if they where bred in captivity or wild caught. I have no idea if the sting rays I had where wild or captive bred. How about rodents, and their equiptment for their care? Even the local animal feed stores sell live animals, just not dogs or cats, are they ok to shop at? How about online stores that sell items that in untrained hands can hurt their pets?

So are all pet stores bad? Or just the ones that sell puppies and kittens?

*edit*

The local Petzoo, Petco, and Animal Food Warehouse do not sell puppies or kittens and all three weekly have an adoption day for local rescues.

IMO, fish cannot be compared to social creatures like dogs and cats. Fish need a well-maintained tank, food and little more. Dogs need a safe environment, humans and other dogs to interact with, exercise, food, fresh water, grooming . . . etc. While I am sure there are "fish farms" that are inhumane in raising their fish, it is much easier to raise a lot of fish without neglecting them.
I used to breed african cichlids and sold the fry that I would not be keeping to a local pet store. Guess I was a fish BYB.

I'm not sure about small mammals (mice, rats, ferrets, rabbits etc) being sold in pet stores. I don't know how the are raised, I haven't researched that at all.

 

[lakotasong]

The times I've seen it at Petsmart, the Humane Society had a representative there to bring people to the animals and fill out the applications.

Our local shelter has a couple volunteers go to PetSmart a couple times a week to sit there and talk to people, and also to bring applications back to the shelter. PetSmart showcases the cats 24/7 for the shelter, and there isn't always a shelter representative there. That's how ours is run at least.

 

[~Jessie~]

One of our Petsmart's allows people to adopt the animals right in the store... not the greatest of ideas, but I am not very fond of that particular rescue group for a lot of other reasons as well.