| Don't fall in love with "that doggy in the window." If you don't walk away from that adorable creature that's so hard resist, you could pay a high price for puppy love. It's also quite likely that the puppy will have major health problems. Pet shop puppies who make it through puppyhood, still healthy, often harbor genetic defects like hip dysplasia and other joint diseases, vision or hearing problems, heart defects, seizure disorders and other inherited diseases that will show up later. There's a gruesome side to the pet shop business that has nothing to do with love. Most puppies sold in pet stores were born in puppy mills. Puppy mills are loveless, money making facilities that mass-produce puppies. A puppy mill might be a dark, drafty, dirty shed stacked with wall to wall rusty cages full of pregnant dogs or nursing dogs and puppies. Many puppy mills are very large scale breeding operations - puppy factories where dogs are kept in equally deplorable conditions. |  |
Unfortunately, sick puppies, dogs with painful inherited diseases from inferior breeding, outrageous vet bills for their owners, and dogs with personality disorders due to total lack of early socialization are only part of the horror of puppy mills. The dogs that produce these puppies, the mothers and the "stud dogs", are forced to live in misery, as prisoners with no exercise and little human contact. Females are bred as often as possible, get no veterinary care, and spend their entire lives in filthy cages caring for their babies, only to be disposed of when they can no longer reproduce. They exist solely for the money they earn for puppy mills owners, pet shop owners, and evil brokers. Pet mill puppies are not sold exclusively in pet stores. Dealers and brokers now sell puppies online. Though there are ethical breeders selling quality, healthy puppies online, beware - not all sellers who claim to reputable really are. Do not do business with anyone who might be selling puppies from a mill. Avoid sites that advertise thousands of puppies for sale! These "directories" promise to find your perfect puppy in minutes. They'll instantly produce a long list of sites with puppies for sale in your chosen breed. The quality of dogs from some of the "kennels" or "breeders" who constantly advertise on these sites, is questionable at best. Never buy from a "breeder" who has a steady supply of puppies for sale or one who sells several different breeds. Many individual ads say "we have several litters to choose from" or something like "4 cuties are available now - another litter will be ready to go in 2 weeks". Some puppy finder directories specialize in one or two popular breeds with ads from many dealers. Others might specialize in some sort of designer mixed breed or only small breeds - toy, "teacup", and miniature dogs. One breeder is selling "small cross-breeds". Puppy ads use descriptions such as "health tested" or "vet checked"??? One interesting ad says the "dad has a gorgeous head; mom is good-natured". They accept credit cards. Good breeders will not sell their dogs to just anyone. Good breeders who do sell puppies on the internet want to know where their puppies are going. They'll ask you many questions. They'll want references and contact information from your Veterinarian. Responsible breeders do not have a regular inventory of puppies for sale. If you are approved as a buyer, you may have to wait for months or even longer until they have a puppy available. You may have to check several breeders to find a puppy that's for sale. Reputable breeder's don't sell their dogs to pet stores, but some do occasionally advertise puppies and older dogs in a newspaper. Unethical breeders and brokers advertise there too. If you're searching for a puppy in the "pets for sale" classifieds, again, avoid ads with multiple breeds for sale. Check the ads, looking for different breeds listed with the same phone numbers, and don't call them. Most doggies in the window, or in the classifieds, or puppies sold on the internet are AKC Registered and have pedigrees. They "have papers". AKC (American Kennel Club) Registration is no indication of the quality of a dog. It means that a pure bred dog's parents and ancestors are also AKC registered. Any litter of puppies born to registered parents of the same breed can be registered... even pet shop puppies from puppy mills. The breeder registers the litter. The buyer of a puppy from an AKC registered litter chooses a name for the puppy and, for an additional fee, registers the individual puppy. A pedigree is simply a family tree. Pedigrees usually list three or four generations of a dog's ancestors with any competitive titles earned by them. To a knowledgeable buyer who is looking for a dog that can compete in confirmation shows or canine sporting events, these could indicate possible future potential. Knowledgable buyers are not puppy shopping in pet stores. An unsuspecting buyer who is about to pay a premium price for a "pedigree puppy" might be very impressed by the list of fancy names. It might even include a few champions, but then most purebred pedigrees will have some of those a few generations back. Also, for a dog from a puppy mill, the "papers" may or may not be actually show it's true lineage. Please do not buy a puppy from a pet store. Don't buy from a questionable website or a suspicious newspaper ad either. As long as people continue to buy those puppies, puppy mills will continue to operate and the abuse will go on. To find puppy love and devotion that lasts through many Valentine's Days, go to a local animal shelter or search for a new dog to love at Petfinders.com or Pets911.com. Great pet stores don't sell puppies or kittens...... Check your nearest PETsMART or Petco for more information and times when pets are available for adoption.
PETsMART and PETCO
DO NOT sell puppies or kittens. While many other pet stores contribute to the suffering and misery of innocent animals by supporting puppy mills, these two caring companies are saving the lives of thousands of dogs and cats each month. Both PETsMART and Petco dedicate space in their stores for local animal shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups to offer pet adoptions to customers and find loving homes for homeless dogs and cats. Please purchase supplies for your own pets from these stores and do not patronize those who continue to sell puppies and kittens.
Warning - Some of these contain heart-wrenching, graphic pictures.
| Where do pet store puppies come from? A short movie - Puppy Mills: Dogs Abused for the Pet Trade How You Can Help Stop Puppy Mills | Get the Facts on Puppy Mills Puppy Mills: What They Are and What You Can Do About Them Stop Puppy Mills! Do Not Patronize Pet Shops! Read these forum discussions about puppy miills and dog auctions .... |
A Member of the Family: Cesar Millan's Guide to a Lifetime of Fulfillment with Your Dog Brimming with practical tips and techniques, A Member of the Family addresses the most common issues and questions that emerge over the course of a person’s lifetime relationship with a dog, explaining what it takes to be a good dog owner. From choosing the right dog for your particular family’s needs to setting the rules of the house to finding a quality veterinarian and monitoring your dog’s health, Cesar offers essential advice. It includes sections on travel and doggie day care, the needs of an aging dog, and dealing with the death of a pet and its long-lasting effects on a family. A chapter on dogs and children is written from the perspective of Cesar’s sons, Andre and Calvin, and one on the role of the strong female pack leader is by Cesar’s wife.In his frank, simple, and calm manner, Cesar acts as your personal guide as you build a fulfilling, satisfying relationship with your dog. |
Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. A young couple they brought home a yellow Lab pup, Marley, and their life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound steamroller who crashed through screen doors, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, devoured couches and fine jewelry, and was expelled from obedience school. Yet Marley's heart was pure, and he remained a steadfast model of love and devotion for a growing family through pregnancy, birth, heartbreak, and joy, right to the inevitable goodbye. |
Compare QuickCare Pet Insurance plans and rates.
Get accident and health insurance coverage for your dog. - Financial protection for you.
View This Article in Regular Layout
This content was written by Sandy Moyer. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Sandy Moyer for details.
| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor | Website copyright © 2009
Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.
|
