Argh I hate petshops

[wolfsoul]

I have to vent about something that happened a while ago...

The pet store was selling siberian husky / maremma cross puppies. They put on the window how great maremmas are, wonderful sheep guardians, guards sheep, sheep, sheep blah blah blah...

Did they forget that there was husky in the mix??! Someone with sheep might ACTUALLY fall for it, and buy these dogs thinking that they will be great with animals, and then ship it off to a shelter once the husky's prey drive kicks in...:mad: :(

It bothers me that they pick one breed, and only talk about it...Could it not help to give some info on a siberian husky???

I remember when Timber was bought, and I went to look at her siblings. It had a sheet on the front saying how great golden retrievers are :rolleyes: Just becuase she carries golden retriever :rolleyes: Well she doesn't act a thing like one...She acts like...well, herself. She's an idiot, she's hyper and rambunctious, she runs around like nuts, she couldn't protect me if her life depended on it....which it probably does..:p

Have you ever seen a petshop do this? It drives me nuts, I just want to strangle the employees and tell them that cross breeds are unpredictable.

[binka_nugget]

yea..i hate pet stores. The one that I go to often (but never buy from) only mention the breed if it's pure-bred. But even pure-breds could turn out unpredictable. Shelties are supposed to be very active and hyper. Kai sleeps all day. I have to literally carry him from the kitchen floor sleeping to my room cuz he's just not willing to move. People should never only depend on the breed's description when they buy a dog.

[Gone Doggin']

heyyy cute doggie ^^

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Yeah...I HATE pet shops to....but, its not only if the pet store is ignorant in the pups they sell, its the fact they sell puppies!!! It hurts to see those innocent puppies trapped in cages..waiting for someone to come along and buy them... If the dog was mixed, they should talk about all of the breeds within it, no just one breed that makes up the dog.

[moosmom]

Yes, pet shops are infamous for doing such things as telling prospective buyers that they are purebred, going as far as changing the breed name so VERY slightly on "papers", that it sounds like a new breed of dog, when it's only a mix.

They are also guilty of buying dogs and cats from puppy and kitten mills. I stay out of pet stores because I get so angry when I see those puppys and kittens, who are so OBVIOUSLY sick that I go off on them, sometimes creating a scene. What really bugs me the most is the they have the GALL to charge such outrageous prices for a simple kitten or puppy that could easily be adopted from a shelter.

[Mich]

I always have gone to one pet store here ( there are a few, even for a little town), as this one only sells supplies for peoples pets, Oh, sorry, they sell a few goldfish and such! I love going in there and talking to the owners, as they really know what they are talking about. There is another one called "Pet's Paradise" and it sells very little supplies, and a whole lot of animals, and it breaks my heart to see these precious creatures in glass cages.........but they sell !! What happens to them? Go look in your local pound is the answer.

[Airedalekisses]

I detest pet shops, poor little puppies almost all of them with runny noses and heaven knows what else-kennel cough....I rescued my 1st Airedale from a pet store-the veternarian gave him 3 days to live.(He lived to be 10years old) I wish I could have bought all of the other puppies;but, I did get them closed down thanks to my veternarian and a nice mayor !
I hate it when people exploit animals-if it were up to me pet stores would only sell supplies and toys:mad: :mad:

[Mich]

Well,I can understand more than you know. when my dog was sick, I had no Vet open on the Saturday........and I had taken her to the vet, ( and her bloody stools in a plastic bag )....... The Vet told me to go home and keep feeding her the same as was told.......I phoned my Pet Shop, and took my pup to them - and got the best advice from them. It is because of them, that my dog is still alive. This pet shop does not have the "Doggy in the Window"- but has everything under the sun to feed, and care for all pets. The dog I am talking about is in the picture below.

[Foam]

Well, I don't necesarily hate pet shops..They only sell purebreds at the one I go to. I got my mix breed from a diferent one that I never go to. It had information on both breeds, and there was a huge dog encyclopedia in the store. Though, I can understand where you're coming from, I don't agree. At least the pups will get great new homes.

[Mich]

You don't agree...what ? ?

[Airedalekisses]

Ever ask where the pet shop gets it pure breed puppies? a lot of them deal with puppy mills-those awful places where the poor female is forced to have two litters a year, never really gets any exercise and attention-just the bare necessities of life-oh, sure the puppies are AKC but are they healthy? and what happens after two years-genetic defects show up because inbreeding, the cute little, tiny, itty bitty Yorkie-is probably a walking medical time bomb. Some people have had good luck with shops-I just think the ah, how cute, factor of the doggy in the window should be stopped.
I shall climb down from my soap box now, thank you and good evening. :D

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Foam
Well, I don't necesarily hate pet shops..They only sell purebreds at the one I go to. I got my mix breed from a diferent one that I never go to. It had information on both breeds, and there was a huge dog encyclopedia in the store. Though, I can understand where you're coming from, I don't agree. At least the pups will get great new homes.

Umm...dont agree with what?? That dogs from pet stores come from horrible places?? Yes, im sure they get good homes, but people who buy them are just adding and giving those horrible puppy mills money.....:( :mad:

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Foam
At least the pups will get great new homes.

Says who? I know tons of pups from petshops who've ended up on the streets. Most pet shops do not do background checks like a shelter would. They sell them to God only knows who and don't care for anything but the profit.

[Foam]

"Says who? I know tons of pups from petshops who've ended up on the streets. Most pet shops do not do background checks like a shelter would. They sell them to God only knows who and don't care for anything but the profit."
But who would spend over a thousand dollars (average price of pet store pups) on a puppy that had no use in their lives? Why would they spend one grand on a puppy that they are just going to abuse and then get arrested for it?
"Umm...dont agree with what?? That dogs from pet stores come from horrible places??"
You guys stated your opinions, why shouldn't I be able to?

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Foam
But who would spend over a thousand dollars (average price of pet store pups) on a puppy that had no use in their lives? Why would they spend one grand on a puppy that they are just going to abuse and then get arrested for it?


Not all petshops sell pups for that much. Here, they are always around 50-500 dollars. Who says they have no use? I think it was wolf_q who posted in general about someone buying a puppy because they wanted it to live in the back yard and scare mice into the house for the other dog to kill. Stupid uses. And people are willing to pay money for them. I've known and heard of alot of people who will pay alot of money for stupid things. A girl I know has spent over 1000 dollars on a rabbit that she abuses. And that rabbit came from where? - A petshop.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

You are able too state your own opinion. Where else do you think the puppies come from? RESPONSIBLE breeders?:rolleyes: Oh, and some people would spend that much on a puppy because they dont know about puppy mills. They probaly dont know about responsible breeders and think the pet store is a good place to buy one. :( Thats why people who know about it have to educate them on it.....in order to close puppy mills down....I boycott any pet shop that sells dogs and cats.

[wolfsoul]

Yeah, I thought that was odd too...No puppy in a petshop EVER comes from a responsible breeder. They come from back yard breeders and puppy mills.

[wolfsoul]

Here's a good site

http://www.caps-web.org/factsheet.shtml

[Mich]

I will still stick up for the Pet Shop I go to, ( they don't have pets, as such - a few fish etc), but supplies and advice, and if you read back at my last comment, the ladies in the shop saved my dog. . . with their advice. - - - so not all pet shops are Urgh!

[Foam]

Originally posted by Mich
not all pet shops are Urgh!

Exactly. You are making it sound like all of them are that way. Now your including breeders. I agree about Puppy Mills though. Damn those cursed places..poor pups. :(
But not ALL breeders iresponsible. (sp?);)

[Mich]

There was a show in T.V. by quite reputable people, and they advertised these places as a good way to get a dog of 1st cross breeding etc, etc.......but they cost the earth. I just remembered what they called them " Designer Pets" and how they are going to change the 21st Centuary, into healthier, more sturdy dogs.

Sorry!!!! I know I got a cross breed........BUT go to the Pound, please and save a dog, or your local rescue centre.........

I did years ago, when I was fit, young and healthy, and if you want they have pure breds also - - side by side with cross bred dogs.....OOps! Designer dogs.

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by Foam
Exactly. You are making it sound like all of them are that way. Now your including breeders. I agree about Puppy Mills though. Damn those cursed places..poor pups. :(
But not ALL breeders iresponsible. (sp?);)

That's why I chose my words carefully when I said "most petshops" do not do background checks etc.

I agree with everyone on puppy mills. They are cruel. I've seen actual videos of them on TV, when dateline broke into one. It was horrible. This one dog was in such trauma, it was running around at full speed in it's cage in circles over and over until it collapsed and just died. :(

[binka_nugget]

But who would spend over a thousand dollars (average price of pet store pups) on a puppy that had no use in their lives? Why would they spend one grand on a puppy that they are just going to abuse and then get arrested for it?

Some people do have good intentions when buying a pup from a petstore. Even the most caring, good intentioned person may end up giving the dog up to a pound. For example, if I went to the petstore to buy a pup for...god knows how much these days...I would have my intentions set to giving the pup the best home possible. The thing is, people don't learn enough before getting the pup. What if the pup I got at the pet store happened to be a great dane pup? Sure it's small then..and cute and what not..but within a year...it would be a huge dog that I probably wouldn't be able to feed.

I'm all for pet SUPPLY stores...anything without innocent animals sitting in a cage waiting to go to home with whoever offered money...

I think any pup that comes from a petstore came from an irresponsible breeder PERIOD. My standards of a responsible breeder are probably extremely similar to others. In "my book", responsible breeders give life but should also take that animal back no questions asked. A responsible breeder would never sell to a pet store because the breeder wouldn't be able to keep track of where the pup went..and would have no say on who the pup goes home with...it's all for money. :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Christiansmommy]

I really hate to go to pet shops. It is so depressing seeing all of those doggies trapped in those cages. And i always find it ironic that they all seem to sleep at the same times, as if they are drugged :rolleyes: I always feel the need to take one out and bring it into the "get to know you room", so it can at least have a little freedom and space to play....but i dont do this enough...i cant imagine working at one of those places and feeling good about my job....but that is just me.

[Pam]

I got my first poodle at a "mom and pop" pet shop, not one of the big chains in the malls. That was in 1970 and I didn't know anything about puppy mills and had never even heard of them. Thankfully she was healthy and an absolutely awesome dog who lived to her teens. I have had 5 poodles since her and they all came from breeders except for Ripley, my rescue dog. When I go into a pet shop now (which I am ALWAYS compelled to do when I am in the mall.....can't help it, just have to see those sweeties....it's not their fault that they're in there), I stand there and think:

1) Poor mamas of all of these dogs. They are probably still back at the "mill" having another litter and living a horrible life! :(
2) How would a person ever housebreak a puppy that has been forced to go potty inside a wire cage all day? Will they really know the difference when they go home? Won't they just "go" in their crate? Then the unknowing owner turns them into the shelter because they can't be housebroken. :(
3) Is anyone exercising these dogs, except for the occasional person who might take one into the "get acquainted" room? Puppies are barrels of energy. They need their play time! :(
4) Finally, why are they costing so much? Answer: so everyone gets a piece of the pie - the puppy mill and the pet shop! :mad:

I will never learn. I still visit them and leave sadder than when I came in. People must be educated about what goes on behind the scenes and encouraged to stop buying these pet store dogs. That is the only way that they will close down and the source of the dogs (puppy mills) must be outlawed.

[cocker_luva]

we got my cocker pup (now she's 8) at a petshop. they said she came from a breeder in kentucky and gave us her papers. also with the papers came the address of the breeder. we actually took a visit to her and she was soo nice!

i guess what happened was selling her pups and no one wanted my pup because the pups where so pricey (they were born into the akc) so she sold it to a trusted pet store that she knew.

so not all pups come from puppy mills and other bad places.

but also i guess that she didn't have time to get the 'kennel cough' or anything else since cockers usually sell REALLY FAST.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

In my opinion, i dont think a pet shop can be considered "trusted" I dont think a responsible breeder, like the one you indicate would sell puppies to a pet store...but thats my opinion.

[cocker_luva]

ok, that is your opinion and i respect it. :)

[RobiLee]

Hello All...I am new to the list. This subject has really seem to hit a nerve with people. I had to reply because I am one of the bad people that has just purchased a puppy from a pet shop. She is a beautiful Akita puppy named Katie and she will be 12 weeks old tomorrow. To be honest with you I am quite surprised the I bought a puppy at a pet shop because I am one of those people who swore I would never do such a thing. We lost our dog, Chloe (samoyed mix), 3 years ago and I was finally ready to get another pup. I was constantly looking up the different dog breeds on the internet and coming to this website to see what everyone had to say about their dogs. I would search in the dog ads in the papers and was constantly trying to figure out what I wanted. Well, one day I went into the pet shop just to take a look at the different breeds and there was the little Akita puppy. My husband has wanted one for a little while now but I wasn't for sure. I actually asked if I could see her (never done such a thing in my life). I played with her in the playroom and absolutely fell in love. I had them put her back still thinking I could never buy a pup from there. I kept thinking about her though, locked up in a cage there. A few days later my husband said ok, lets do it, lets get a puppy. We were going to go to the humane society to rescue a dog there but I said lets go to the pet shop because they have a lot of breeds in right now and maybe he could see if there was any certain type of breed that he liked. I knew all along that he would fall in love with the Akita and sure enough he did. We spent 2 hours in there that morning talking to the sales girl, who I must say seemed to know quit a bit about the breeds. She told us where our puppy come from but we aren't for sure if it is a good place or bad place. We did manage to talk them down in price a little bit and she has a 3 year warranty and her first visit to the vet was free. We took her to the vet and the vet said she seemed to be very healthy. Her skin looked good. Her ears looked good and her eyes looked bright and alert. These were things that I knew to look for when I went in the pet shop. I must admit some of the puppies and kittens in there did not look as healthy. We go back to the vet in a week to start her on her shots because the doc wanted to wait and make sure that she hasn't picked up kennel cough or any other kind of bad diseases from her kennel or pet shop. I asked the vet how she felt about the pet shop and she said she was neutral on the subject. This group of vets take care of the animals at this pet shop. She didn't always think it was a good thing, but she didn't think it was a bad thing either. She said the way she looked at it is that I just rescued that beautiful pup that day. I don't know why I am going on and on about this. Maybe I feel like I have to justify myself because I did buy from a pet shop. All I know is that my husband and I simply adore and love our little Katie. My girlfriend told me that Katie was one lucky puppy. I said what do you mean and she said because she has a such great family now. I thought that was the best compliment ever! Well, I'm sorry I rattled on and on about this and I hope I haven't bored everyone. I wish I knew how to send a pic of my sweet little Katie (who won't be little for long) but I'm not good at figuring out this computer stuff. Thanks for listening.

Have a great day everyone....Robin

P.S. If anyone else has any akitas I'd love to hear from you and see some pics.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Ok..you said you would never buy from a pet store, but you ended up doing so. Why? Because the pup looked cute and you felt sorry for it? I suppose you know where those pups come from, which are mostly puppy mills. I feel sorry for the dogs in the cages too, but if you buy one, another pup is just going to take its place, simply continuing the horrible cycle....:( . Did you even look up breeders before going to the pet shop? Also, you said you knew some of the other animals there didnt look healthy..so, you bought one anyway?? Your just supporting them...Oh, well...i guess its good knowing the pup has a good home..

Ok, i will come down from my soapbox..:D

Thanks for listening

[Christiansmommy]

RobiLee... First off, Welcome to pettalk...my name is Robyn also :) And My husbands name is Rob, with the middle name, Lee. Your screen name is pretty much his name :)

Anyway, i dont feel like you have to justify to anyone why you bought from a petshop. It was your decision and you really dont owe anyone an explanation. Although, thanks for sharing. I do feel sorry for those pets, as you did, and you just happened to connect with one...and bought it...i am happy for your puppy, to have a nice home and a caring owner.

We are getting a puppy in 2 weeks (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog)...we are going thru a highly recommened breeder, who we did lots of research on and are driving 6 hours to get our pup. Although, i dont agree with the owners of these pet shops...and probably wouldnt buy from one myself...doesnt mean that other people cant buy from them. You did do that doggy a favor, it wasnt his fault he was raised from a possible puppy mill, nor your fault for falling in love with him. The only people at fault here, are the breeders who dont breed responsibly and the pet shop for allowing these breeders/mills to continue this sorry practice of furthering these puppy mills. Pet shops will sadly, probably always be around and there isnt really anyway to get around it...so maybe you will decide in the future that you want a sibling for your Katie...and maybe they will come from the humane society...but its your decision. Good luck with your puppy, and i cant wait to see pics of her :)

Robyn

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I didnt mean to start up an argument. I have very strong opinions on the subject. Its just what I feel about buying a pet from a pet shop. Im sorry RobiLee..im sure the puppy will have a wonderful life with you, I would love to see pics of Katie. :)

[RobiLee]

Hello Robyn,

Thanks for your post. You are right. I shouldn't have to justify or explain why I bought my pup from Petland. All I know is that I love and adore her and she is my little girl and spoiled already.

I am so happy that you are getting a dog. I love Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. They are such beautiful dogs. Please send in pics as soon as you can. I can't wait to see him or her and find out its name. Lets us know how things go.

Have a great day...Robin

P.S....I think its cool how our names are all familiar. My middle name is Lee also, Robin Lee. Now if we wound up having the same last name that would be kinda scary...lol

[RobiLee]

Julie,

No reason to apologize. You are entitled to your opinion and you definitely have strong feelings about this. My husband warned me that by writing that letter that I was setting myself up to be judged. That's ok though. I'm tough and I can take it. Maybe I wrote the letter because I was feeling guilty about buying my pup from Petland. I'm not for sure. I do know that I no longer feel that way. As Robyn pointed out I don't have to justify or explain anything. I love my little girl and she will be well taken care of.

Have a great day...Robin

P.S.... I love your dogs! They are two of my favorite breeds. I absolutely love collies but the only thing holding me back from getting one is all the hair. Is it very hard to take care of?

[binka_nugget]

Welcome to pet talk RobiLee! :D I don't feel the need to "argue" or anything with you. I don't feel like you're a bad person for going and buying a pup from a pet store. The only "bad people" are the breeders and the store owners. And what's done is done...no need to argue. I'm sure the pup will have a great life with you. I LOVE akitas! I think they're absolutely gorgeous! :D

[DaisyMcCat]

Re: responsible breeders and pet stores. Sorry, but no, it doesn't work that way.

A responsible breeder will have homes lined up for the pups before they are born, and will have provisions in place for any extras or in case people back out. Selling them to a pet store because she prices them too high (and therefore, didn't have homes for them in the first place) is not at all responsible.

A responsible breeder will make sure you know about the breed and make you prove you can have the dog where you live. He/she will also make you sign an agreement saying you will spay/neuter the dog, and will take it back if at any time of the animal's life you cannot take care of it. If a dog is in a pet store, how can the breeder enforce that policy?

A good breeder doesn't do it for profit.

[binka_nugget]

Originally posted by DaisyMcCat
A good breeder doesn't do it for profit.

Agreed. In fact, if I do go to a breeder again...I'd look for someone who made almost nothing or even lost money because after screening the parents for different things and blood tests and all that great stuff...they shouldn't really gain anything.

[Mich]

I am glad you love your new puppy so much. Just a little inquiry.. Did you research this breed before you bought her?

[Layka3000]

What are they nuts? Oh I forgot they are!!!!!!!!!