Puppy store
ok so we have a store where I live that Im worried about. Its called Perfect Pups. Its sells purebred puppies mostly small breeds. I am concerned because I know must puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. They swear that the puppies dont come from puppy mills and have a sign that says they dont tolerate puppy mills and buy only from USDA breeders. Im still afraid though. they could be lying. The dogs are also very expensive. The shopping center where this store is used to have another one like it. that one closed because it was discovered that puppy mill puppies were being sold. They keep the puppies in tiny cages and let thier own basset hound puppy run around and play they also have a monkey they keep in a cage. This store creeps me out. I never bought anything from there. I get sa bad feeling about it though and I worry about the puppies
you should be. USDA breeders are just as bad as puppymillers.
I read USDA and think "FDA." I'm kornfuzed. The USDA does what now?
USDA = US dept of agriculture. uh, I may just be dense, but to me animals + agriculture setting = DEATH (or at least, tortured life.) I wouldn't be getting a pet anywhere but a shelter, personally. I have no idea about the usda & dogs though (in fact had no clue it pertained to dogs - although mills can certainly be breeding other animals besides puppies).
I found this explanation from this website: "USDA Inspected" breeder does mean good breeder, Turner points out. The USDA certification requires adherence to minimum standards, based on the Animal Welfare Act. The standards are largely intended for commercial breeding.
And we all know how well the Animal Welfare Act is enforced... That is to say, hardly at all. >:(
I was curious what the actual "standards" were for USDA breeders, and this is what I found. Just as I suspected, unfortunately: Just because a breeder has a license from the USDA doesn’t mean much. USDA minimum standards for housing and exercise are bare bones. The agency requirement for cage size — the primary enclosure in which breeding dogs live their lives — is just six inches taller, wider and longer than the dog inside. That is, a miniature Dachshund measuring 20 inches from nose to base of tail and standing nine inches high might be housed in a cage only 26 inches wide by 26 inches deep by 15 inches high. The USDA waives the exercise requirement of 30 minutes per day for at least five days a week if the dog is housed in a cage with twice the floor space called for by the above formula. In addition, USDA regulations don’t address socialization — the handling and exposure a puppy needs during its first weeks of life to develop properly — or the health, temperament and quality of the parents.
I still do not understand why people buy from pet stores or breeders--even "reputable" ones. Millions of fabulous companion animals are euthanized every year!!! How do people still think that an animal from a breeder will be a better companion than one from a shelter?!?! It's sickening. I adopted a Pomeranian from the Humane Society three years ago, and she is one of the sweetest, most personable, most well-behaved dogs I have ever known. She even knows how to "sit" & "come," and she was house trained (as many strays are)!!
As most of you already know, I'm all for COE breeders- breeders who do it the responsible way. I'm also for shelter dogs and rescues and I heavily support both. I show my rescue rottweiler in the UKC and AKC rings in obedience sport. He's an AKC Canine Good Citizen and has 2 working titles. I'm very involved in several kennel clubs and also very active in fighting Breed Specific Legislation.
But I am NOT for Pet Stores selling pups-even supposedly reputable ones (i really can't think of a pet store that sells puppies that I would consider reputable) All of the breeders that I know are against puppymills, USDA breeders and Pet shop puppies. USDA breeders are horrible- they are one of the cores of the puppymill scene.
The USDA breeders need to be extinguished right next to the puppymillers.
I still do not understand why people buy from pet stores or breeders--even "reputable" ones. Millions of fabulous companion animals are euthanized every year!!! How do people still think that an animal from a breeder will be a better companion than one from a shelter?!?! It's sickening. I adopted a Pomeranian from the Humane Society three years ago, and she is one of the sweetest, most personable, most well-behaved dogs I have ever known. She even knows how to "sit" & "come," and she was house trained (as many strays are)!!
You are absolutely right! Both of our dogs (& cat too) came from the Humane Society & I swear that the older dog remembers. I know that sounds crazy but he was almost a year old when we brought him home, in not the best condition & I can see it in his eyes. He was so grateful for a second chance. We fattened him up, he got loads of exercise & we taught him that the broom is not something that will hurt him. I honestly think he was beaten with a broom as a puppy :'(
He is 10 years old now & we call him 'our old man'. He is going blind, has aches & pains & I think he's also losing his hearing...either that or he has learned to ignore us ;D He is without a doubt, the BEST dog I have ever had.
The thousands of dollars that are spent on just one puppy at a breeders can save many lives from the shelter. :(