HSUS links Petland to puppy mills
By Gina Spadafori
November 20, 2008
I don’t know how many times and in how many ways we have to say this:
If you buy a puppy from a pet store, you are supporting a system of cruelty that has been well-documented again and again and again for more than 50 years. You, yes you, are making puppy mills possible.
Grow up. Take responsibility for your actions. And say NO to puppy mills by buying directly from a reputable, ethical breeder or adopting from a shelter or rescue group. There is no excuse for supporting cruelty with your puppy-mill retail outlet purchase.
This year’s first installment of No Christmas Puppies (click for all our past posts, going back for years), courtesy of MSNBC.com:
After an eight-month investigation, the Humane Society of the United States accused Petland, the national pet store chain, of selling dogs bred under appalling conditions at puppy mills around the country.
The animal protection group made the charges at a news conference in Washington Thursday. The investigation involved 21 Petland stores and dozens of breeders and brokers. The Petland stores are being supplied by large-scale puppy mills, although customers are routinely informed that the dogs come only from good breeders, the Humane Society said.
We write about this every year. Nothing will stop this sick and cruel mass-production of puppies except for customers to not support this industry. No reputable, ethical breeder sells through a third party. Not ever. And no reputable, ethical breeder ships from Internet sites to people who place an order with a few clicks and a credit card. Not ever.
Talk to me about how you love your pet-store puppy and you’d better stand back because I am going to singe your eyebrows off.
I’m glad you are taking good care of your puppy-mill purchase. I’m glad you love her. I’m glad you haven’t had the health and behavior problems that are rampant in these carelessly bred, unsocialized dogs. How nice for you, and for your one dog.
But don’t expect me to sign off on your behavior, because I will never let you off the hook for dooming thousands of dogs to a brutal lives in crap-filled wired cages exposed to the elements because you wanted that puppy in the window. Not ever.
People who run puppy mills are heartless bastards. And they wouldn’t be in business without buyers.
If you’re one of those buyers, shame on you.
Update: More from the HSUS on their Petland investigations. If you are thinking maybe it doesn’t matter where you buy a puppy, you are wrong.
Good for HSUS. Their timing is, of course, excellent. And of course not remotely coincidental.
Comment by Susan Fox — November 20, 2008 @ 8:46 pm
Stores not to support in the Sacramento Area (get dogs from puppy mills)
The Pet Connection, 4534 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento
The Sunrise Pet Center, 8141 Greenback Lane,
Fair Oaks.
Comment by glock — November 20, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
Oh.. and don’t try to tell me you “rescued” the puppy from the store either. You’re lame excuse for buying a dog on a whim - with less planning and forethought than you probably put into a pair of designer jeans - dooms thousands more to lives in mills.
Comment by Janeen — November 20, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
*applauds*
Well said Gina!
Comment by shel — November 20, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
Jah, I make no effort to spare anyone’s feelings with this news.
Ditto about “rescuing” from the pet store.
Here is my challenge to other trainers — and vets, groomers, and the other professionals upon whom pet owners rely. (Think of ourselves as “pet enablers.”)
When I work with a client who got a dog from a pet store or direct-retail puppymiller, they get a handout on “Your Puppymill Puppy.” It explains the deficiencies in the puppy’s life up to that point, and what they as owners will have to do to try to make up for those, and pops the bubble on the “rescued from the pet store” conceit.
At the end of that handout is a paragraph explaining my policy on supporting the puppymill industry. The client also gets this verbally:
Every dog deserves an education, and First Friend is committed to helping every pet owner who sincerely wants help from a professional, and who will follow through with the program.
We will work privately with you and your puppy any time. Puppies and dogs can attend group
classes when they pose no elevated risk to the other animals in class. We make that decision, and may require that you visit your veterinarian (not a veterinarian who is under contract to a pet store or puppymiller) for assurances that your pup is safe to attend.
We will do everything we can to help you raise your puppy to be a healthy, normal dog.
If, in the future, you choose to purchase another puppy from a pet store or puppymiller, First Friend will not provide private training or classes for you. We will not be associated with any financial support of this cruel and exploitive industry.
When the time comes, we are happy to help you
select another puppy or dog from a source that does not profit from misery, whether you choose
to buy from an ethical breeder or adopt from a shelter or rescue.
If every trainer, every veterinarian, every groomer, every dog walker, every kennel operator drew this line for their clients — Petland would go under in a year.
FWIW, I have had many repeat clients/students who first came to me with a Petland “indiscretion.” The majority got their next dog from a shelter.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 21, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Wow, Heather, that’s a great way of handling it. Like you, I support and help people who honestly didn’t know better the first time — but also make sure they DO know for the future so they can make an informed decision.
My experience is much the same. Caring people, once they know about puppy-mills, don’t do business with retail puppy-mill outlets again.
And yes, they often go to a shelter next time!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 21, 2008 @ 6:45 am
be sanctimonious and self-righteous -
“rescue” the store-bought puppy-mill dog after it ends up in the pound or rescue.
The product is not the problem.
Down with capitalism!
Comment by eli — November 21, 2008 @ 6:54 am
I think it takes stronger social pressure, more than just “knowledge” to prevent impulsive puppy-mill purchases, including recidivist ones.
I have a draft blog entry on why I think this is … slated for Black Friday posting.
I guess the “anti-shopping” barrage has to creep up earlier every year, too, since the marketing blitz is relentless.
By the way, I just shipped one of my foster dogs off to a fantastic new home. He is the second dog this couple has adopted from NESR. They have done a great job with the first girl, who came to NESR after being auctioned for $5 at a puppy-mill liquidation. Normally I am critical of rescuers bidding at mill auctions — but nobody made a profit on the fire-sale of this bitch and her sister (also $5), and the bidder kept two fertile members of the breed out of the hands of some miller who might have decided to branch out into a breed that produces some awfully cute pups.
This couple’s first beloved ES, lo these many years ago? Also bought at fire-sale markdown — at a Petland.
The say that now that they know, they will always get their dogs from Rescue.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 21, 2008 @ 7:31 am
Petland responds:
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Comment by Susan — November 21, 2008 @ 7:33 am
Down with capitalism!
Comment by eli — November 21, 2008
Eli, it’s about using your consumer power to determine what’s an acceptable business practice. And cruel puppy-mills are not acceptable to me.
Puppy mills dogs have all kinds of health and temperament problems. By not buying from puppy-mill retail outlets or Web sites, we can end puppy-mills, and then we can then care for their sad survivors knowing there will be no more because the source is gone.
So yes, if you want to “rescue” a puppy-mill dog, please do so from a shelter or rescue, not by buying one from a pet store or direct-from-miller Web site.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 21, 2008 @ 7:34 am
Let me try that again:
http://www.petland.com/PetlandInformation/HSUS.htm
Comment by Susan — November 21, 2008 @ 7:35 am
Oh that’s rich. HSUS has issues — all routinely discussed on this blog — therefore they can’t be right about Petland. Puh-lease.
Folks, a “USDA-licensed breeder” is a puppy-mill. Maybe a “clean” one, but still a puppy mill, a commercial kennel dedicated to pushing out puppies for profit, at the cheapest possible cost for “production.” Puppy-mill retail outlets and miller-to-buyer direct sale sites use “USDA licensed” as if it’s a badge of honor. It’s not.
No ethical, reputable and responsible breeder uses third parties to sell puppies. Not one. And no ethical, reputable and responsible breeder ships a puppy with nothing more to go on then a few clicks and credit card number. Not one.
Puppies are not livestock, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations allows commercial breeders to treat them as such, with the gov’t stamp of approval. Bah.
No reputable, ethical and responsible breeder is a USDA breeder, for the simple reason that raising well-socialized puppies in your home does not meet USDA regulations — and yet, too many experts to count have stressed for generations that the only way to offer well-adjusted, well-socialized puppies is to raise them in the home.
Two choices, and only two choices for anyone who truly loves animals: Buy from a reputable, ethical breeder or adopt from a shelter or rescue group.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 21, 2008 @ 7:42 am
Well said Gina i hope people are reading and responding and not bying from pet stores or internet i try to spread the word around
Alena
Comment by ALENA — November 21, 2008 @ 7:47 am
From the Petland response:
“Petland has adopted out more than 270,000 homeless puppies and kittens nationwide.”
Oh - is that what they call it now when the clueless consumer plops down the plastic to take home that cute little puppy in the window with the dubiuos background?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — November 21, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 21, 2008
“Eli, it’s about using your consumer power to determine what’s an acceptable business practice. And cruel puppy-mills are not acceptable to me.”
Operators of puppy-mills, cruel or otherwise, are among the scum of the earth.
“Two choices, and only two choices for anyone who truly loves animals: Buy from a reputable, ethical breeder or adopt from a shelter or rescue group.”
Reputable, ethical breeders and rescue groups screen potential buyers, often putting the consumer through a lengthy and uncomfortable probe.
Pet stores are the WalMarts of cuteness, and it turns a steady buck on a quick, painless deal for the thoughtless consumer.
Throwing out the baby with the bath water only hurts the baby. I care about the baby.
Which one has a better marketing operation: AKC/breed clubs or local shelter/rescue? How long until there are pet activities on national tv highlighting the talents of non-descript/rescued pets (or pets not referred to by a specific breed name)? Shelters/rescues are always begging for donations/volunteers. Does the general public see the results in a way that show these pets to be a viable alternative to puppy-mill products?
Comment by eli — November 21, 2008 @ 10:02 am
Comment by eli — November 21, 2008 @ 10:02 am
While I can agree that *some* people’s screening of buyers is over the line, many others are not. They are simply questions designed to ensure a good potential match between pup and owner for a successful lifetime of companionship. Honestly, if I applied to rescue or buy a dog from someone, and all they asked for was the money, I’d be suspicious they might not have the dog’s and my best interests at heart. I’d rather the place I adopt from or breeder I buy from demonstrates a sincere interest in me as an owner having a successful relationship with their pup.
Comment by slt — November 21, 2008 @ 10:44 am
I think I’ll go over to the Petland web site and politely let them know that their line of reasoning is not clicking with this consumer. I urge everyone else to do the same.
Be polite - but let them know that regardless of HSUS other issues and the USDA certification, that they are still buying from puppy mills and this is NOT acceptable.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 21, 2008 @ 11:21 am
Well, well, they don’t have a web mailing address posted - so I called and was shunted into a voice mail box. So I left my polite message - don’t think they’ll even bother to listen to it, but I’d like them to still have their mailbox overflowing with messages.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 21, 2008 @ 11:26 am
I was at a Petland about 6 months ago. They had Australian Shepard puppies that they openly stated were 4 weeks old and ready to go home.
My friend bought a puppy from a different location that had to be euthanized due to lack of immune system.
I have bought some gerbils for there that would never last very long.
3 reasons who I don’t buy stuff at Petland. I prefer to support stores that don’t sell animals and are small businesses.
By even shopping at Petland (or any other store that sells puppies) you are supporting puppy mills. Your biggest vote is with your money. IF you don’t buy, they can’t buy.
And that Lab type puppy you bought, is a mutt. If it was from a decent breeder, it would be registered with a legitimate registry. Go to a shelter and adopt a Lab mix and save yourself $900.
Comment by Kate M — November 21, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
My dog-in-law makes me proud. I’ve taught classes for our local humane society and we do all we can to “educate” dog owners about puppy mills. It’s hard to ignore when you are teaching beginning obedience right across from the kennels where the last round of rescued dogs is being housed. I hope we are making a difference.
Comment by Alyce S. — November 21, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
I just wrote a letter to the corporate offices of Petland and suggested that perhaps they work with adoption groups rather than millers to place puppies and kittens who are homeless and will likely be killed for lack of homes. Mentioned a few other things, too . . .
Comment by dottie — November 22, 2008 @ 6:46 am
I keep checking for AKC to issue some kind of response to the HSUS investigation. Either to find fault with it and reassert that Petland is our friend, or to agree with the investigation and take a stand. Prolly the former. Also likely: sweep under rug.
Comment by slt — November 22, 2008 @ 8:14 am
From ripoffreports.com:
“On my birthday 2002, my boyfriend surprised me with a box from Petland. Inside was a beautiful persian kitten. My heart sunk when I saw the kitten came from a pet store. I’ve heard bad things, and I asked him if could bring the kitten back. He had paid $550.00 for it. After I found that out I really wanted him to take it back. He said they would not allow him to return it.”
This kitten died under aneshthesia of cardiomyopathy at five months old.
I’ve never heard of kitten mills, but apparently they exist also. Don’t buy kittens from pet stores either. Reputable breeder, rescue, or shelter are the only choices.
Comment by Roberto — November 22, 2008 @ 9:28 am
Yes, kitten mills exist too. Dogs may get more coverage, but cats are callously exploited in exactly the same way, with the same results.
Comment by Lis — November 22, 2008 @ 9:31 am
How can you tell if it’s a puppy mill being advertised when you look at a breeder’s website? Isn’t there some specific information that should be listed there to distinguish a real breeder from a puppy mill? I see so many breeder’s websites that contain nothing but a bunch of photos? Maybe they are legit, but shouldn’t some real info be posted on their website? Does anyone know what to look for on a breeder’s website?
Comment by Roberta — November 22, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Real, serious breeders are often the ones most likely to have sites that are “just pictures”; they’re brag sites rather than puppy-selling sites. The serious breeders will expect you to contact them if you want a puppy, and they may or may not provide an email link to help you do it.
It’s easier to say what you WON’T see on a good breeder’s website: puppy pictures with prices next to them, PayPal or credit card logos, claims that they offer “rare” colors or “teacup” versions of the breed.
But some puppy mills and BYBs have gotten very sophisticated and make their sites look like the very model of a responsible breeder’s website, and say allthe right things. In the end, no, you can’t absolutely tell the good from the bad just from their website. You have to make contact, and you have to visit them IN PERSON. Pictures, even videos, are not enough.
Comment by Lis — November 22, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Lis, you got it! I volunteer at a shelter. You have to go in person to tell the difference.
Comment by Roberto — November 22, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
I’m pretty sure Christie — who screens breeders for PetHobbyist’s listings — has a good article on how to tell the dif she can edit for use as a blog post.
If not, we’ll get something up to help people ASAP. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 22, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Also - good breeders often have waiting lists -long ones. Look how long Gina had to wait to get her cats - that’s the sign of a good breeder….along with pictures of the parents, detailed genetic profiles, classification as pet or show quality, etc.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 22, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
I just did a search on this blog for puppy mills, and this sure is a hot topic here! I’m not here to add any arguments. I always thought a puppy mill was a breeder that just breeds the same mama dogs over and over again, even if they keep clean cages etc. That’s what I want to avoid. I can go see the conditions the breeder has, but how do I know she’s not just churning out as many puppies as possible?
Also, what if the breeder says she doesn’t like to answer questions from potential pet parents (and acts annoyed)? Shouldn’t that be a clue too if the breeder is just doing it for the money?
Comment by Roberta — November 22, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
Roberta, yes, if the breeder doesn’t want to answer questions, or is annoyed by them, run away.
If the breeder doesn’t ask YOU lots of questions, run away. (Sometimes this is done more subtly, by just having long conversations with you about dogs, or cats, or whatever species. You’ll tell the breeder a lot about how you regard your pets and care for them—and if you’re listening, the breeder will tell you a lot.)
The breeder should be able to you the names of the parents—the registered names—and should be bragging about the titles momma, poppa, and the grands have. “Champion lines” without details on what titles the parants and grandparents have, is a bad sign.
The breeder should be able to tell you whether this is momma’s first, second, or at most third litter. Any number larger than three is a cause for concern.
First litter should not be before momma is two years old. For some breeds, that’s still young for a litter.
The breeder should want you to visit, and want you to pick up the pup yourself. Sometimes exceptions are made, but generally not without someone else whom the breeder knows and trusts doing a home visit to see where her precious pup would be going.
You want to meet momma, and if possible poppa. If you can’t meet momma, or you can’t meet poppa for ANY reason other than he belongs to another breeder, that’s a reason to leave. (Not owning poppa, though, is not only acceptable, but often a good sign. It means she knows she doesn’t always own the ideal mate for each of her bitches, and cares about finding the right one.)
The dogs should generally live in the house. The puppies should absolutely be raised in the house. (My sister’s Lab comes from a breeder who has a kennel with nice big runs for her dogs, but also has a schedule that ensures that every single one of those dogs spends substantial time inside the house with the family. Mommas are moved into the house after breeding, and stay there till the pups are weaned. Stella was a year old when my sister got her, and is healthy, well-adjusted, and a great family dog.)
A good breeder is involved in activities that mean her dogs get judged against other dogs (those titles mentioned above.) Conformation showing is the best known, but depending on what the breed is and what you’re looking for in a dog, field trials, herding trials, earth dog trials, etc. may be appropriate either in addition to or instead of conformation titles. For “just a pet,” I like to see Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog certifications.
For a lot of breeds, not necessarily all of them, someone or other has undertaken the task of making pedigrees and health certifications available online. OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) has an online searchable database. For Chinese Cresteds, for instance, there’s a health database (voluntary, unfortunately, though there’s a lot of peer pressure behind it) and a pedigree database, both of which can be searched by anyone who has the names of the dogs, or even the name of the kennel. And the pedigree database will show you offspring as well as ancestors.
They’ll have whatever health certifications are appropriate for the breed, they’ll tell you about them, they’ll give you copies of the actual official paperwork. They’ll make sure you understand whatever the particular challenges are with the breed, both behavioral and health. (Cresteds climb, and jump amazing heights; even with the best screening, there’s some risk of Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Labs chew things, and if not given enough exercise can be highly destructive around the house; even with the best screening, they’re at some risk for hip displasia in their later years.)
There are backyard breeders who don’t show or compete, who don’t do all the expensive health screening, but who take good care of their dogs, do some screening of potential puppy buyers, and don’t overbreed their dogs. They are LOTS better than puppy millers, but they’re still not responsible breeders. Because they don’t study the pedigrees and genetics of their breeds, and breed their male and female dogs to each other without seeking out a proper genetic match, you’re still at increased risk of getting a pup with health or temperament problems.
There are other backyard breeders that don’t take good care of their dogs, do overbreed them, etc. They’re wanna-be puppy mills.
Puppy mills are commercial operations. At the high end, they’re actually cleaner and healthier than the worst of the backyard breeders, but the dogs are still living in cages 24/7, getting no socialization, not being health screened, and being bred every heat. The lower-end puppy mills are hell on earth for the dogs. Either way, puppy mills, and most backyard breeders, are totally about money.
But you can’t reliably tell that from their websites. Many of them have lovely websites that give every impression of respectability. You have to talk to them, and you have to visit.
Comment by Lis — November 23, 2008 @ 6:52 am
If the allegations regarding Petland’s purchasing of puppies from puppy mills is accurate, what can we do as a society, that thru the history of time has had a special relationship with dogs, shut this company down or stop their disgraceful practice.
Comment by robert — November 26, 2008 @ 10:33 am
Are you all really that naive to believe what the HSUS says they are doing? The point of the whole “investigation” is to raise money for the HSUS. What are they going to do with that money since they dont own or operate a single shelter or adoption agency?? Can you please give me that answer?? TThis is sensationalism at its best
Comment by Andy Mooney — November 30, 2008 @ 9:15 am
You know what, Andy? I don’t care if they use it to raise money if that helps to raise awareness so people won’t buy from a puppy-mill retail outlet or direct-from-the-puppy-mill Web site.
It’s OK to raise money for advocacy. And it’s much more acceptable to me for the HSUS to have money than for the puppy-mill industry.
The HSUS is also moving away from advocating shelters killing for population control. Is it because they are embracing the no-kill movement or see it as a future fund-raising tool?
Again, I don’t care.
It’s OK to raise money for advocacy.
We’re not naive at all here. We have a different point of view. We don’t howl to anyone else’s dogma. We make decisions on our own.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 30, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Over the last ten years Petland has found homes for over 270,000 homeless dogs and over 200,000 homes for cats. How many has the HSUS rescued and found homes for? Or better yet how many have you rescued? Also, Petland is not a corporate chain. Each one is owned and operated by a different franchisee. I believe maybe one case of a petland actually purchasing from a puppy mill and that was dealt with immediately. Petland buys from USDA approved breeders who have their kennels inspected on a regular basis by the government and petland employees. They do much more good for animals than the HSUS has ever done.. Just getting the facts out there. This has been a one sided story from the beginning and not once has any asked about the othersides argument. If you need any documentation on these facts I would be happy to provide them. Look at the HSUS income taxes for last year and what they spent all their money on. Then tell me how you feel.
Comment by Andy Mooney — November 30, 2008 @ 10:44 am
This isn’t about HSUS vs Petland. It’s about raising puppies like livestock and selling them to anyone with a valid credit card. There is no amount of bleach OR spin that will ever make that okay.
Comment by Christie Keith — November 30, 2008 @ 10:57 am
USDA breeders ARE puppy mills. Maybe clean ones, but they are still livestock operations (USDA=U.S. Department of AGRICULTURE, duh) cranking out puppies to be shipped hundreds of miles for sale while the “breeding stock” dogs spend their entire lives as breeding machines.
Not acceptable.
Sorry, but good, reputable breeders NEVER use a third party to sell a puppy. NEVER.
In this case for certain, the HSUS is on the side of the angels. As for Petland … the only way they’d ever get a dime of my money is to do what Petsmart and PetCo have done, offering in-store space to shelters and rescues — and NOT SELLING PUPPIES.
Until that happens, I wouldn’t buy so much as a flea comb in any Petland, or any store that sells puppies and kittens.
And if the HSUS gets even ONE PERSON to go to a reputable, ethical breeder or adopt a shelter or rescue dog instead of supporting a puppy-mill retail outlet, well, then they can raise all the money they want, and more power to them.
As for the fact that Petlands are franchises, so the effing what? That makes it better somehow? So not.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 30, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Right and I totally agree with that 110%. Thats why all petlands buy from breeders who like i said, are registered with the USDA. Breeders who have Vet’s on site and have immaculate cleanliness in their kennels. Puppy mills are terrible and Petland has been fighting to end them for sometime now.
Comment by Andy Mooney — November 30, 2008 @ 11:16 am
Oh puh-lease.
Again, for the clue-impaired:
1) NO REPUTABLE, ETHICAL BREEDER SELLS THROUGH A THIRD PARTY. They take responsibility for the puppies they breed into this world for LIFE and that means placing them directly with families that work because they fit and are prepared. Not because they have a credit card.
2) U.S. Department of Agriculture “approval” is the sure sign of a high-volume commercial kennel. By USDA regulations, puppies cannot be raised in the home and socialized like family members. “USDA” = GET YOUR PUPPY ELSEWHERE.
Dogs should not be treated like livestock, and a “clean” vet-checked puppy-mill is still not a recommended source for family companion.
Andy, I don’t know which Petland franchise you own or work for, but you can kid yourself all you want and that’s fine if it’s how YOU sleep at night. But puppy-farming is still a sick industry, and we will not recommend it here.
Not ever.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 30, 2008 @ 11:22 am
Hahaha gosh you sure sound like you know a lot about the breeders. You must travel around and visit them one at a time. What do you know about breeding cycles and how often a dog can breed or when they can breed? As for offering space for sheltered dogs petland DOES that! Look into Petlands Adopt-a-Pet program. Eve nat shelters you still get charged when u purchase a puppy they make you pay for the shots which is exactly what petland does. Some people prefer registered pure bred dogs and may not have access to breeders in their area. Thats when they go to petland. But really please look at the income tax and what the HSUS spent all their donated money on and then tell me how you feel.
Comment by Andy Mooney — November 30, 2008 @ 11:26 am
What do you know about breeding cycles and how often a dog can breed or when they can breed?
… then tell me how you feel.
Comment by Andy Mooney — November 30, 2008
Any of the bloggers here have forgotten more about pets than you will ever know, Andy.
As for what I feel, well, I feel you are at the very least an apologist for a sick, immoral industry. And I feel that every puppy-mill retail outlet should either quit selling puppies to anyone with a credit card or that they should go out of business.
I feel the world will be a better place when people are informed enough not to buy the BS of puppy-millers.
And finally, I feel you should not let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 30, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Andy, do you do business with Petland? I found a mention of your name in their newsletter. Just curious.
Comment by Joy — November 30, 2008 @ 11:36 am
Andy.
Responsible Breeders place their OWN animals directly into homes that THEY have selected. Period.
That is NOT what is going on with the puppies at Petland, and that is ALL we need to know about the puppy producers who churn out puppies for retail at those stores.
Serious dog people saw this report from HSUS and universally said “Well - yeah! We’ve known this stuff for YEARS!”
HSUS hasn’t “discovered” anything new. Knowledgeable dog people have been aware of the source of Petland puppies for a long, long time.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — November 30, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
H$U$ is a CORPORATE fund raising business that does not truly care about animals. Don’t believe me? Ask YOURSELF this question:
Why has the H$U$ NOT reported Petland or any said breeders to the USDA or law enforcement?
Good question! If these puppies were suffering, the breeders and Petland should be reported immediately! If you saw somebody mistreating an animal would YOU wait a few months before stopping it? I would hope not…
Comment by WayneInDC — December 5, 2008 @ 9:23 am
I will guarantee you that reporting them to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which facilitates the raising of dogs as livestock) or local law enforcement (which can’t even keep on top of local meth labs) will do nothing to stop the cruelty, and nothing to change the reality of this immoral, scum industry.
What the HSUS did — going public with the story — will stop more people from buying puppy-mill dogs than reporting a cruelty infraction ever would have.
The NRA is also a fund-raising business, but that doesn’t change the fact that they have done more to support our second-amendment rights than any other entity. (I’m an NRA member.)
I don’t care that the HSUS uses the puppy mill issue to raise money. They use the money to raise awareness, and getting people to STOP BUYING puppy-mill dogs is the only thing that will change the situation.
But thanks for dropping in, oh commenter too gutless to use your own name, and too incapable of independent thought to do anything but mimic the “H$U$” BS.
We have issues with the HSUS. We’ve written about those issue, lots of times. But they remain on the side of angels on the issue of puppy mills, and have been there for 50 years.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 5, 2008 @ 10:20 am
Wayne. Many of the commercial breeders selling merchandise - um - puppies - to Petland are operating well within the law, as written and enforced by the USDA.
Oh - and that “A” at the end? It stands for “Agriculture”. As in “animals raised for the purpose of becoming dinner most of whom will have very short lifetimes”.
It remains completely illogical why THEY should have anything to say about the conditions of animals being raised to be COMPANIONS (animals intended to have very LONG lifetimes) - i.e. Dogs and Cats.
Why does this matter? Well - how an animal is raised quite often determines a lot about that animal’s temperament and ingrained behaviors for the rest of its life. Ever heard the saying “Were you raised in a barn?” Well, to raise a dog like a barn animal, and then expect it to have the temperament to successfully adapt to being a companion in someone’s home just doesn’t make sense.
That’s just one of MANY reasons why an organization that oversees AGRICULTURE has no business overseeing the raising of companion dogs and cats. Even if the commercial breeders are doing everything according to Hoyle - um - USDA - it’s STILL not the way dogs and cats intended to be companion animals should be raised.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — December 5, 2008 @ 11:03 am
By the way, if you want to tell Petland to quit trying to change the subject, quit blaming the HSUS for Petland’s own dealings with puppy-mill scum (all of them hiding behind the skirts of the ineffective, enabling U.S. Department of
Pets Are LivestockAgriculture), you can drop them a line here.Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 5, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
There seems to be such a disconnect between all the “soft” journalism articles on how many household these days own pets and how much money we spend on our pets and the reality that pets/pet owners don’t have a real voice when it comes to talking with our government about their needs.
Comment by Lori — December 5, 2008 @ 12:39 pm