Animal Planet's report on puppy mills and Petland

[judiz]

Animal Planet had a documentary on last night where an undercover investigator from the Humane Society visited puppy mills that sell dogs to the Petland stores. Petland denies buying from these puppy mills and is currently being sued by dog owners whose puppies died or needed thousands of dollars of medical care days after being bought at Petland stores.

For those unfamiliar with puppy mills, please google puppy mills and see what thousands of innocent animals go through everyday. Please do not support puppy mills by buying dogs (or other animals) from any pet store!

[StonewshMullet]

AMEN. I got my furbaby from Petfinder, bless yourself with the gift of a rescued pet.

[Amy L]

I adopted a rescued puppy mill breeder dog. When she was too old to regularly have puppies, she was literally dumped at the side of a highway. She was emaciated and furless when she was rescued. Until then, she had never walked more a few feet in her entire life, which caused her legs to be deformed. She was traumatized and had severe separation anxiety for over a year, but her terror when she heard thunder never went away. Even though she had a lot of health and psychological problems, she lived with me for ten years. She died over a year ago and I still miss her every day. She was the sweetest and smartest dog I've ever known. I feel so must disgust at whoever it was that had kept her caged and abused for so many years.

[cruisin]

AMEN. I got my furbaby from Petfinder, bless yourself with the gift of a rescued pet.

Just wanted to add. Buying from a reputable breeder is also good. Never, ever buy from a pet store. I don't know of any that don't sell puppy mill dogs. Whenever you buy a dog, as opposed to rescuing one, buy from the breeder. Go to the breeder, see all of the dogs and how they are cared for. I pray for a day when all dogs are bought from reputable breeders and that there are no puppy mill dogs who need rescuing.

Warning, not easy to watch, heartbreaking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXHSu...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nce-dNjYt5I

[MOIJTO]

This is actually old news and has been investigated before.

Most pet stores buy from some sort of puppy mill. The amish are known to be in this business also. Best to get a dog or kitty from a rescue or a ligit breeder.

[cruisin]

This is actually old news and has been investigated before.

Most pet stores buy from some sort of puppy mill. The amish are known to be in this business also. Best to get a dog or kitty from a rescue or a ligit breeder.

It is old news, but it should not be forgotten. PA has really made an effort to create and enforce legislation to stop puppy mill breeding. I don't know how the Amish are still getting away with it. The debarking thing is &.

This is such a vicious cycle. Pet stores buy from puppy mills, people buy from pet stores, the dogs are sick, people ditch the dogs, the dogs are rescued, and then people are encouraged to rescue dogs from shelters and not buy from reputable breeders. The problem with this is that it doesn't shut down the offending businesses. I believe, with all my heart, that no dog should be abused or destroyed or suffer preventable illnesses. But in encouraging people not to buy from reputable breeders and only get dogs from shelters, we provide the market for the puppy mills. The puppy mills owners don't care what happens to the dogs once they get paid for them. They don't care if they go to a loving family or wind up on the street. Once they've gotten their money, their done. They know the pet stores are selling them (or destroying them) because the pet stores keep buying more "stock". The dogs that currently need adoption should be adopted, but why aren't officials more diligent with shutting down the puppy mills and sanctioning the pet stores that buy from them? Why are there still so many sick dogs that wind up in rescue? Not saying that there are no dogs that are abandoned, that are purchased from reputable breeders, but at least those dogs start out in better health and do not suffer from terrible illnesses caused by neglect and irresponsible breeding.

It seems that going after the puppy mills themselves is not getting anywhere. Maybe what they need to do is impose fines and jail time to pet store owners that buy from them. Maybe it should be illegal - PERIOD - for pet stores to sell dogs. Then the puppy mill breeders would have to deal with the public. Then people would see where their dogs were coming from and the conditions they suffer.

I've owned 3 dogs (as an adult), all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. All from very reputable breeders. Every time I got one, they interviewed me extensively, told me that if for any reason at any time I could not keep the dog, they would take it back and give me my money back. Every time, I went to the breeder, saw the dog's mother, could evaluate her health, saw the conditions at the breeder's home. The dog I have now is 3, when I got him the breeder sent me home with full records on his mother & father, my dog's health and immunization records to that date (he was 10 weeks old), a bag of dog food that she prefers, instructions on how often to feed him (and how to do it correctly - as in don't leave food out all day), how to train him, toys, and printouts of any and every substance that could make him sick.

Interesting little tid bit: Until about 10 - 15 years ago Cavaliers were not AKC registered. They had their own clubs for showing and breeding, The American CKCSC, the CKCSC (I'm not including the clubs in other countries). Cavalier breeders did not want to join AKC because they feared that they would lose control over breeding, and that the dog would find it's way into puppy mills. After all they are small, sweet, and adorable - quite the "product". Well, the AKC made it impossible for Cavaliers to be shown in any national dog shows, unless they joined the AKC. The CKCSCs finally agreed to join the AKC. Guess what, Cavaliers are now showing up in puppy mills.

[danceronice]

Given that puppy mill dogs would last five seconds in an AKC ring, I fail to see how it's their fault except making the breed more popular. And popularity is not an inherently bad thing.

The most likely victims in puppy mills these days are designer "breeds" like poodle crosses and the rash of chihuahuas and crosses. The worst thing for dogs is the trend to toy breeds and idiot celebs and celebutantes toting the dogs around in kewtsie little bags and giving them clothes and aww, it's just like a doll. That bites, poops, and 90% of which are poorly bred and make lousy pets for the average household. Just because it's little doesn't mean it's a good choice for a family pet or that it can be treated like a toy or a child. Toy breeds are still dogs and need to be trained and handled as such. But as long as there are morons who see a dog in a movie ("Beverly Hills Chihuahua" I'm looking at you, though the original offender was "101 Dalmatians", possibly one of the LEAST city-friendly breeds you can find) or getting stuffed in Paris Hilton's Louis Vuitton and think "I want one!" and are dumb enough to pay $500 to anyone who runs a classified ad or posts to Craigslist, there'll be puppy mills. You go to an AKC or UKC show and performance breeder who actually has comformation, agility, or working/field wins to back it up, and you'll practically get background-checked before they decide you may have a puppy.

[cruisin]

Given that puppy mill dogs would last five seconds in an AKC ring, I fail to see how it's their fault except making the breed more popular. And popularity is not an inherently bad thing.

That wasn't my point. The point was once they became AKC registered the ACKCSC & the CKCSC lost control over breeding. Unscrupulous breeders got ahold of dogs and bred outside of the Cavalier club rules. They were able to register them with the AKC but not with ACKCSC or CKCSC. So, these registered AKC dogs were not up to the health and conformation standards that the Cavalier clubs formerly controlled. Then these dogs with "papers" got into the puppy mill system.

The most likely victims in puppy mills these days are designer "breeds" like poodle crosses and the rash of chihuahuas and crosses.

Yes, they are breeding everything with poodles now. People want non-shedding dogs, and they don't care what the cross breeding does. Even Cavaliers are being bred with poodles now - they're called Cavapoos. They are cute, but they are simply engineered to be allergy and shed proof. How awful if dog hair got on the floor ! Cavs are perfect as they are. Small but not tiny (though they are at the large spectrum of the toy category) 14 - 20 lbs. They have the personalities of big dogs - you can wrestle with them and not fear breaking them . They are beyond affectionate - commonly refered to as "love sponges" .

The worst thing for dogs is the trend to toy breeds and idiot celebs and celebutantes toting the dogs around in kewtsie little bags and giving them clothes and aww, it's just like a doll. That bites, poops, and 90% of which are poorly bred and make lousy pets for the average household. Just because it's little doesn't mean it's a good choice for a family pet or that it can be treated like a toy or a child. Toy breeds are still dogs and need to be trained and handled as such. But as long as there are morons who see a dog in a movie ("Beverly Hills Chihuahua" I'm looking at you, though the original offender was "101 Dalmatians", possibly one of the LEAST city-friendly breeds you can find) or getting stuffed in Paris Hilton's Louis Vuitton and think "I want one!" and are dumb enough to pay $500 to anyone who runs a classified ad or posts to Craigslist, there'll be puppy mills. You go to an AKC or UKC show and performance breeder who actually has comformation, agility, or working/field wins to back it up, and you'll practically get background-checked before they decide you may have a puppy.

I agree. You don't get a pet because it's a fashion statement. You get a pet because you want to share love with an animal. Why are people allowed to sell animals on Craig's List?

I was almost background checked by the breeder I got my current dog from. My dog's grandma was best in breed opposite sex a few years ago at Westminster. She wanted to know the names of the breeders I got my first two dogs from. When I told her who I got my second dog from, she said "Joy sold you a dog?". I said yes and she said "Well, if Joy sold you a dog you can come and see my puppies". She then checked up on me . When I went to look at eh puppies, she had me sit on the floor and let some of her older dogs lose in the room with me. To see how they and I would interact. They jumped all over me and curled up in my lap, I guess I passed the test, I got a baby . My vet tells me that in his next life he wants to come back as my dog . I adore my dog and I love Cavaliers. Not because they are popular, I've had them for 28 years, long before celebs even knew what they were. I just can't resist those eyes .

[wickedwitch]

I agree. You don't get a pet because it's a fashion statement. You get a pet because you want to share love with an animal. Why are people allowed to sell animals on Craig's List?

A lot of times this is simply a case of someone not being able to take care of their pet and charging a small fee to make sure that only people who are serious about taking care of the pet will respond. That's the advice that's given on the cat forums I'm on.

[rfisher]

I was asked if I wanted to use my female Standard Poodle to breed labradoodles by the assistant in my vet's office. I'm quite certain her boss wouldn't have approved. I hate the poodle crosses.

I don't shop at pet stores. It breaks my heart to see the puppies. I buy my dog food at stores that do not carry pets or a farm supply store. Actually, the farm supply store carries what I want and is cheaper than pet stores.

Good breeders will require you spay or neuter a pup unless it is show quality. They will always offer a money back return if you cannot keep the dog. That's in part to protect their kennel name and bloodlines. The problem with people who buy from pet stores or backyard breeders is they don't know anything about dogs to begin with or they'd know not to go there. They aren't equipped to deal with a puppy and don't let dogs be dogs. They expect them to be cartoon dogs or humans.

[cruisin]

A lot of times this is simply a case of someone not being able to take care of their pet and charging a small fee to make sure that only people who are serious about taking care of the pet will respond. That's the advice that's given on the cat forums I'm on.

I understand that does happen. And I do sympathize. Hey, I am highly allergic to my dog, if I started getting really sick, I would probably have to give him up. Though I'd have to be seriously ill. I take Zyrtec and sneeze a lot. It would be a valid reason to not be able to keep a dog, but he'd go to either the breeder (and I would not let her pay me back for him - he has given me so much) or he'd go to a family member or trusted friend. Of course the likely hood of me giving up my fur baby is about the same as my walking to the moon.

But, I don't think people should be able to sell animals on the internet. That is a very good reason why buying from a reputable breeder is best. If you can't care for your pet, you bring it back to them and they will place them in a good home. They also have breed specific rescues. For instance, when a breeder stops breeding or for some reason cannot take the dog back, if you go to the breed web site, they give you a phone number to call for that breed's rescue/adoption resources. The rescue adoption for Cavaliers almost always has a waiting list. Because people know that there is a better chance that a dog from a specific breed rescue is healthy and not from a puppy mill.

[Anita18]

I agree. You don't get a pet because it's a fashion statement. You get a pet because you want to share love with an animal. Why are people allowed to sell animals on Craig's List?

One of the most heartbreaking things I ever saw while doing some volunteering work at an animal shelter was a tiny chihuahua puppy that had been found on the side of the freeway. The vet there figured that the people who had it had NO IDEA how to care for a puppy. They probably fed it only once a day, and likely with adult dog food. Which is fine for an adult dog, but not for a growing puppy. It was so weak it couldn't stand on its own. The volunteers had to spend several minutes every few hours training it to stand.

But its nails were daintily polished pink when it was found.

People who take ownership for another living being without doing ANY RESEARCH AT ALL how to care for them make me unspeakably angry. And then to punish the dog by abandoning it on the side of the freeway because it wasn't growing like YOU thought it would...

[cruisin]

One of the most heartbreaking things I ever saw while doing some volunteering work at an animal shelter was a tiny chihuahua puppy that had been found on the side of the freeway....
...People who take ownership for another living being without doing ANY RESEARCH AT ALL how to care for them make me unspeakably angry. And then to punish the dog by abandoning it on the side of the freeway because it wasn't growing like YOU thought it would...

How sad . I agree, people should not get animals if they are not prepared to care for them. I grew up with dogs and was typical of most kids: Promised to take the dog out and feed it, but my mother did it. That said, I knew when I got my own dog, no one but me was going to care for it. I didn't really do research (no internet back then ), other than to find the breed that I thought would be a good fit. But I knew how to take care of a dog and the breeder told me what and how to feed and train it. My only regret with regard to that dog was that for the first two years, my husband and I both worked long days and the dog was home alone a lot. Well cared for, but a little lonely. When my daughter was born and I was home all of the time, that dog was like a pig in $hit!

[MOIJTO]

People discard animals for all kinds of reasons.

[danceronice]

You want to laugh, check out the HORSES on most CL ads. Well, laugh or cry.

I don't object ot on-line horse-sale ads. You have to get buyers somehow. But some of the people on CL...."homogenized" does not mean what you think it means, honey. (She was going for "homozygous".)

I'm waiting for the ultimate designer dog: The cockapeekapoodledoohuahua.

[StonewshMullet]

On another note I have an issue and need some advice. Posting it in this thread is as a good as any:

You know I love animals, ok some animals more then others. I have always been respectful and mindful of people's emotional state when they lose someone or something that is special. Well, a lady I know just suffered the loss of her families pet tarantula. She is truly upset. I don't know what to say or do. I can't very well go and talk to her and commiserate... what if she pulls outs a picture and asks me to look? I. CANT. DO. IT. I am extremly arachnophobic . She is a nice lady with interesting taste in pets. RIP Charlotte the spider, hopefully if there is such a thing as a Heaven its separate from the one I would like to end up spending eternity. Seriously should I send a card or an email?

[rfisher]

If the spider (I'm with you here) did mean a lot, an email would be nice. It's the thought that counts. Just don't say, I'm sorry your hairy, creepy spider bit the dust, Morticia.

[cruisin]

If the spider (I'm with you here) did mean a lot, an email would be nice. It's the thought that counts. Just don't say, I'm sorry your hairy, creepy spider bit the dust, Morticia.

Thanks for making me laugh! I guess is not rational for the pets some people choose. A tarantula - maybe they got the idea from Home Alone?

I agree, and email would be very thoughtful.

Do they cremate tarantulas? Or give them "Viking" funerals ( AKA American Standard funerals)? Is that mean?

[cruisin]

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[cruisin]

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