I need info about what consumers should ask a pet store owner before they buy a puppy.?

Question

I bought a chiauhua puppy from a pet store and paid $200 for him (no papers). Bought him on Friday, he died on Sunday. I took my little deceased puppy to the vet on monday and the vet did a fecal test for parvo and it was positive. The pet store owner isn't taking responsibilty for it and won't give me back my money and she is putting it off on the woman she got it from. So, I called Dept. of Agriculture and they did an inspection on the pet store and the womans home where the puppy came from and both are under quarentine for 10 days. Meanwhile both are refusing to give me my money back, even though I only had the puppy 3 days. Since they are being difficult, I want to warn my community about fraud that goes on in pet stores and the questions people should ask before they buy a puppy.

Answer 1

This is proof that you should never buy a puppy from a pet store. They come from puppy mills and backyard breeders and are sold sickly and with all kinds of health problems.

They way you can warn your community...make up some flyers with information about puppy mills and pet store puppies. Put some pics on them too.

Here are some links..pics are graphic and very sad, but everytime someone buys a puppy from a pet store, they are supporting places like these

http://www.psychopup.com/tb/dontbuy.html

http://regaliapyrs.tripod.com/APStores.htm

http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/get_the_facts_on_puppy_mills/index.html

http://www.stoppuppymills.org/

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/kgaeding/puppy/picsmills.html

http://www.collie.net/~dwayne/pierce/

http://www.dufoursdachshunds.net/PUPPY-MILL-Pictures.html

Sorry to hear about your pup. Did the vet sign anything stating that puppy was sold to you with parvo? There is an incubation period for parvo of, I believe, 14 days. So, if you only had the pup for 3, there is no way it could have contracted parvo in that time and showed signs. Have the vet write up a statement and if the pet store owner is still being an a$$, take her to court with the vet statement.
Please, do not buy a puppy from a pet store again. And, if the pet store offers you a replacement pup...decline it.

Answer 2

Most all pet stores get puppies from a puppy mill. This is a place where dogs are kept in cages all day long and are bred constantly. A lot of the dogs that come from these places are sick and have health issues. If you have ever seen any pictures of these places than you would probably never buy a dog from a pet store again. You should look at a site about puppy mills and hopefully not support them by buying puppies from pet stores. It is a serious problem that I have been trying to inform people about. Im glad you are taking some initiative to inform others too.

Answer 3

Do not ever buy a puppy from a pet store. They are generally bred in puppy mills which is nothing less than animal cruelty. The pups (or kittens) are often sickly from the mother being overbred. Not only do the pups suffer from being the product of a puppy mill but the mothers suffer as they are kept continually pregnant for the sole source of producing pups to be sold. Moms die young and are often put down after they can no longer produce. BAD
BAD.

Answer 4

Do some research outside of the store itself. Ask the local BBB, state licensing departments, local veterinarians and of course try to find people who have dealt with the establishment first. Then, hang out there for a while! Spend time playing with the pets, watching the staff and listening to other customers while you're there. You'll see first-hand how the public is dealt with as well as the pets. Ask the management for the names of the breeders and where they are located. Also find out who their vet is. Demand answers. No papers probably means something. The power of hindsight tells us to make sure there are guarantees-IN WRITING. And now that you're more in the know, if you're not looking for papers, why not adopt from a shelter? Our puppy was "rescued" and only cost $60 and he came with a free neutering "coupon"!

Answer 5

I think you'll have to sue these folks to get your money back. I'd sue just on principle...it's wrong to take your money and keep it under those circumstances. And be sure to report them to the Better Business Bureau.

I wouldn't recommend EVER buying a dog or cat/puppy or kitten from a pet store. There are so many animals at animal shelters that need good homes. And in my experience, the mutts are healthier than any purebreds and usually live longer too. And they love you just as well as a purebred. I'm not saying take just any animal from the shelter. You have to have some idea of what type of personality the dog will need to have to fit into your lifestyle. It's a big responsibility to own and care for a pet.

Answer 6

Sorry for the loss of your puppy. I would never pay the high price pet stores charge for an unregistered pup, without a health guarantee, or a return policy. There are usually respectible breeders out there, that dont subject their pups to a pet store, where puppy mill pups are brought to, because pet stores dont care where the pups come from, as long as they can make a buck.

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your loss. You can take them to small claims court and you would get your money back, because clearly the pup was sick when you got it. It would help make people aware of the pet store and the sick pups that they sell. Stand outside the pet store and talk to people going inside and tell them your story. Tell them not to buy a puppy there and to not even buy any pet supplies from the store. People have to fight back against these stores in order to put them back in business. I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

Pet store puppies are not the best of quality. Puppies should come from a reputable breeder, not some pet store.

Answer 9

As an avid dog lover, I feel so bad for the loss of your puppy! Unfortunately, many pet stores are NOTORIOUS for getting their dogs from puppy mills which are likely unhealthy, filthy, disgusting and dirty! (This is probably why you did not receive any papers on your beloved pup.) Always, always ask for the HISTORY on your pet as to where it came from and it's health history. You have that right!

Answer 10

Most people are aware of the issues that are out there from buying pets at a pet store. Mostly you should know the "return" policy. Sorry for your sadness!