Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I do not support ANY pet stores that sell dogs or cats. I hate them with a passion.

My aunt purchased her two Pugs, Lilly and Brutus, from a privately owned pet store and I did not agree with it. The owners of the store "say" they get their puppies from reputable breeders, but no good breeder (in my opinion) in their right mind would sell to anyone knowing that their pups would end up in a pet store with no home screenings, not being able to keep in touch with the owner, etc. The people who own this pet store supposedly do "home checks" and only let "their" puppies go to the best possible home available.. but still, I will not, and never will agree with it.

There's a pet store in the mall that I can't walk by without starting to tear up.. they keep all of their puppies and kittens in tiny glass cages. I'll never understand how or why people can be so cruel.
Exactly, no matter how much the pet store touts and taunts, their dogs come from *some* type of irresponsible breeder.

Any breeder whose first priority is money and breeds to supply pet stores will NOT test their dogs. Its like the ongoing battle between capitalists and laborers- in order to maximize profits, capitalists pay low wages and set a high price. The same goes for BYBs/puppy millers. In order to maximize their profits, they spend the least amount of money possible to rear and breed puppies and sell those same puppies for an exorbitant amount of money. Now, it is different when a shelter brings in puppies and dogs to get publicity. *However*, those puppies and dogs up for adoption are not sold to anybody and everybody. Prospective owners do need to fill out an adoption application and pay the adoption fee and, usually, go through and interview and/or homecheck. The two should never be confused. But as long as the pet store says they acquire their dogs from "breeders", turn your head and walk away.