Pet Store Puppies:, are they really what you think they are? Options

[*mSz_dOrk_anGeL*]

Ah, the pet store. Birds, hamsters, rats, kittens, and the famous cute puppy. But are those tiny fur balls coming from a breeder that you know is giving them proper care, and that is registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club)?

For thousands of years dogs have been as we all know it today 'mans best friend'. However, in the past years, man has not been dog’s best friend. Every Christmas some kid always wants that cute puppy they see in the pet store window. Every Christmas, almost every parent breaks down and buys the dog. They get it home, little Timmy is happy and so is everyone else. A few months down the road, the dog is chewing up shoes, won’t housebreak. Problems that every dog owner encounters. What do the parents do? Dump the puppy in a shelter, where it hopes to be picked up and taken to a safe and caring home. But what about the dogs that don’t get picked up? What happens to them you ask? They are simply killed. Innocent puppies, and kittens, are killed because the number of animals far exceeds the demand for them. Millions of homeless cats and dogs suffer from abandonment, abuse, starvation, disease, freezing, highway death, or procurement for laboratories.

I myself called the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to find out myself some facts about animals in shelters and that are out on the streets. After talking to the ASPCA, I was shocked to find out that in America there are over 60 million dogs. 5-10 million are going into shelters each day. 65% of those dogs are put down. That’s over half of the dogs in the shelters, and 20,000 are destroyed each day. Over 2 million dollars of taxpayer’s money goes to destroy dogs each year. There are over 290,000,000 million people in the US, but there are not more people that want dogs then there are dogs. This is all a cause of over breeding from puppy mills.

You maybe sitting here reading this and asking yourself, ‘What is a puppy mill?’.

For years, puppy mills have been the cause over breeding. Female dogs are usually bred the first time they come into heat and are bred every heat cycle. They are breed until their poor worn out bodies can't reproduce any longer and then they are killed. Often they are killed by being bashed in the head with a rock or shot. Sometimes they are sold to laboratories or dumped. This is often by the time they reach five.

The puppies are then sent to pet store where they are then bought. But unlike professional breeders, pet stores have no clue as to where the dog is going, no clue if it will be safe. Many of these puppies will end up in shelters. Most shelters have a rule, if a dog is not adopted in a certain number of days, they will be put to sleep. Many poor pups won't ever get a chance at life. These puppy millers have no concern where that animal goes, who it goes with, and what it does. They are only in it to make a profit. Most buyers, who buy their pet at the pet store, know nothing about the breed and simply buy the dog on impulse because its cute. The puppies in the store may not even be the breed you think you’re buying. Some pet shops get Silky Terrier puppies in their store and pass them off as Yorkshire Terriers, or as you may know them as, Yokies.

Every time you go into a pet store you see those cute little puppies in the window, but think about it, those puppies maybe be happy but what about the other ones left behind at the mills. Think about them dying because of poor nutrition and being locked in a cage all their lives. These dogs at the puppy mills go through a living hell. Sometimes they are left out in the cold and freeze to death, sometimes they are left in wire cages in the hot summer and “cook”. The people who work at the mills don’t treat the dogs like the breeders do. Professional breeders put love and care into each puppy. People at mills are cruel to these animals. When and if they get feed they get happy and go crazy. Most of these dogs stay in cages all their lives and never touch grass. People who go to puppy mills for undercover investigations find dogs that have open un-treated wounds and mage along with other serious illness. Yet, these same dogs with illnesses are used for breeding or sold to families.


When people see the cute puppies in the pet store windows they are un aware of what illness that dog may have at that point in time. In some cases, people will pay hundreds of dollars just to get the dog and then end up paying thousands for vet care.

I take part in the sport of dog showing with my mother. We have our own kennel and are planning for our first litter to be due this coming summer. We, along with all of our friends and fellow handlers and breeders plan to take care of the puppies that we bring into this world. When we are ready to sell puppies to their new homes, we will put in the contract that if the puppy is going to a pet home, he or she must be spayed or neutered before the puppy goes home with its new owners. Right now, all we can do is educate people to go to AKC register breeders and go to dog shows to find a breeder to learn about the different breeds. However, there is more to be done that no one seems to be doing.

So now I ask you after reading this, should it be illegal to sell puppies and kittens in pet stores, and illegal to sell them on the internet and through newspapers? In addition, should we go to the AKC to get better house checks of everyone that breeds?

I think so.

If this happens, then puppy millers, back yard breeders, online companies, and others will have no one to sell their puppies too. Everyone will go to the reputable breeders, and find healthy and taken care of puppies.

So, should there be any wiggle room for a new law?

[Spirited Away]

There should definately be some sort of regulation but making it illegal to buy puppies is kind of "out there".

I am a regular sponsor, through small monetary means each month, of the Houston area SPCA and I understand completely where you're coming from. It is heart wrenching to know that there are people who would take life so lightly because they consider animals lesser beings.

But it's not only the responsibility of the seller to be ethical in their trade, but it's also the responsibility of the buyer to provide a good home for their store bought pets. If buyers cannot handle the responsibility, they shouldn't act on a whim and purchase life then destroy it after their zeal for something fury pass.

Meaning, it is immoral on the part of the store owners to partake in such things as "puppy mills", but it's also immoral for owners to take abuse further with their own ways of mistreating their pets.

[sadolakced acid]

long posts... whoa...

how much money would it cost to regulate it?

[Spirited Away]

What numeric value do you place on the social cost of not having strays in every other street? On puppies without homes? Or on puppies getting killed?

Which costs more? Spaying/Nudering pets, killing them when they're not adopted, paying professional dog catchers to keep strays off the street, OR simply not selling them?

Are there any statistics?

[*mSz_dOrk_anGeL*]

The problem in this country is that puppies and kittens are treated like livestock.

Now, uninspiredfae, in your first reply you said things that I am saying myself. So it's good that we are on the same wavelength. However you asked

Are there any statistics?

If you read my peice all the way though you would be able to answer that yourself.

in America there are over 60 million dogs. 5-10 million are going into shelters each day. 65% of those dogs are put down. That’s over half of the dogs in the shelters, and 20,000 are destroyed each day. Over 2 million dollars of taxpayer’s money goes to destroy dogs each year. There are over 290,000,000 million people in the US, but there are not more people that want dogs then there are dogs.

You also said making this new law is 'out there'. I understand that. But, something needs to be done. If you just sit in your chair and DONT do something out there, then how do we plan to stop this?

[sammi rules you]

that law would put many people out of jobs and be hurtful to our economy.

however, something DOES need to be done.we got our dog from the pound and i encourage all my friends to do the same to prevent these dogs from being killed..but not all will be taken in. i understand why shelters and pounds do this (so they don't have to pay for them; same as prisoners in jail) but it's not right.

[*mSz_dOrk_anGeL*]

that law would put many people out of jobs and be hurtful to our economy.

Actually, the only people it would put out of jobs would be the puppy millers who don't need to have that kind of job in the first place.

[Spirited Away]

The problem in this country is that puppies and kittens are treated like livestock.

Now, uninspiredfae, in your first reply you said things that I am saying myself. So it's good that we are on the same wavelength. However you asked


If you read my peice all the way though you would be able to answer that yourself.

My dear, the question was one that required some serious thought before answering if you've bothered to read into the context the preceded it, and what you've written in the first post did not have an answer.

What I asked about "statisitics" was relevant to the morality of everything. How do you you place numeric value of on life? If you mean to say that buying a puppy for about $500 means that I would own a puppy's life, then we're definately not on the same page here.

You also said making this new law is 'out there'. I understand that. But, something needs to be done. If you just sit in your chair and DONT do something out there, then how do we plan to stop this?

Hmm, considering that my family adopted one silky terrier and that I will speak out or donate what I can to help animals when I have the chance, I do not think that my efforts should be brushed off like you've just done unless you were only speaking generally.

Excuse me if you think that people who just sit on their chair don't do anything to ccntribute to your great cause. Excuse me if you think what you're doing is beyond what I can ever do. But you know what? Not everyone have the time or the money to do what you can do. Sometimes the only thing one can do is give what they can to those who do have the time to actively help.

Help comes from all shapes and sizes and all kids of ways. I don't think you're very nice for belittling whatever help another person can give just because you have time and money to do better.

Though someone may not be as kind-hearted as you in giving, but I see that those who have the heart to at least treat their pets right deserve praise.

People actually DO NO need to do anything to help, they should just treat their pets with care, and that should be enough. It is because of those who do not care for own pets that we see such cruelties to animals.

[*mSz_dOrk_anGeL*]

People do treat their pets with care. But that isn't enough.

[*basick*]

off topic but im scared of dogs

and a new law would not be a good idea... sorry i couldnt write more

[Spirited Away]

People do treat their pets with care. But that isn't enough.

How so?

Not everyone can juggle his/her spouse, household duties, children, work and philantropy. Not everyone can be a full time student (car pool), works part time, comes home to household duties, homework, leizure time, and go out to save the world from bad people... etc.

Everyone has their own passion. Yours may be to help animals, others may have just enough time get through life.

If the one thing they can do to make the world a better place for animals is treating their own pets with care, then that is enough. If they can do more, then they should, but it doesn't mean they have to because they have other passions (i.e. using that money to help the homeless, orphans, third world countries, disease research).

People should do what they can to help, but they're certainly not obliged to do anything.

You may think it's so great that you can do all these things to help, and I think so too, but there are things that are just as great done at home... such as teaching your own family members to be kind to pets or adopt instead of buying one... etc.

Remember that kindness should begin at home.

And also, you think that people in general are kind to their pets? Do you get out much? I've seen so many cases of animal abuse to last me a life time. Where do you live?

[*mSz_dOrk_anGeL*]

People should do what they can to help, but they're certainly not obliged to do anything.

I'm not forcing everyone to go out and say 'Hey, I think we should do this!'. I'm making a point by saying this should be done, or ATLEAST considered.

You may think it's so great that you can do all these things to help, and I think so too, but there are things that are just as great done at home... such as teaching your own family members to be kind to pets or adopt instead of buying one... etc.

I understand that. But, all that is already being done. I'm just saying, if people set their minds to it, theres so much more we can do.

[Spirited Away]

I'm not forcing everyone to go out and say 'Hey, I think we should do this!'. I'm making a point by saying this should be done, or ATLEAST considered.

...

I think instead of just launching a 'those helpless animals should be helped!' campaign (like I and a couple others have done in the forum before, just check the archives), we should at least "consider" who our audience is and what they're already doing.

... If you mean you're only here to make a point, then it should've been done in the lounge.

I understand that. But, all that is already being done. I'm just saying, if people set their minds to it, theres so much more we can do.

"But all that is already being done"? Once again, I ask you where you live. I used to take the school bus home and the route takes me to some old neighborhoods around town. I've seen strays ducking under boxes or old, dried out, trenches to get out of the rain. My co-worker adopted a 3 weeks old puppy, the third stray she adopted, from the streets after learning that its mother was dead. I've seen a dog cross heavy traffic to get to an empty McDonald's bag, most likely because it was hungry.

There are so many strays and yet you think that people are already doing what they should be?

What more can you or I do if people keep on throwing away their dogs/cats?

There would be NO NEED to regulate sellers if buyers are conscious about the moral implications of owning a pet.

[pandamonium]

I know how you feel, being a dog/puppy owner myself. But the thing is i dont think that this matter is as important right now.. i think that right now not that many people would care for a matter like that to take seriously. I mean there are some restaurants right now that serve dog as a soup or is the meat of a dish. which is crazy in my opinion. There are a lot of wrong things in this world but everything cant be perfect i think there are more depressing matters that should be taken care of as of now but i dont think there should be a law right now. but if there was that would be great. I never knew about these pet mills.

I mean there are kids out there working for like 5 to 10 cents an hour making shoes or clothes.

If companies did care about these things nobody would be making that much money.... and there would be an increase in everything...

[D1SMANTLED]

um... did you get this from PETA?

they seem to over-exaggerate everything, but i dont know.

[aznxdreamer]

that was long.

save the puppies!!