Should I buy the puppy?

Question

To be honest, I've never seen a puppy in a pet store until today. It was so sad! There is one in particular, a Welsh Corgi, that just tugged at the old heartstrings.

I have a dog, I don't need another. Paying $599 for a dog with no papers (yes, that's right) is completely stupid. Forking over the dough will just encourage the puppy mill breeder (I assume, at least) to keep churning them out, and encourage the store to keep selling them. I have never, ever, purchased anything without doing tons of research and knowing exactly what I'm getting. Someone is bound to fall for it all, though, and give the little pup a decent home...right? I don't have to be the one to save it?

Right? Chime in any time....

Thanks everyone...I'm pretty much looking for reassurance that I shouldn't buy this pup, no matter how much I want him to have a good home.

I only went in there because it's a local, family-owned place. I thought it'd be nice to support the mom-and-pops when I can, instead of the corporate chains. Silly me!

Answer 1

You know the answer to this.

I've been in this situation before, which is why I steer clear (wayyyy clear) of pet stores selling puppies -- and kittens, too. There are some faces I've seen that I will never forget, but the only way to stop this is to stop the cash flow to the pet store, and force them to stop buying from the dog dealer/puppy mill who produced this puppy.

No, the puppy didn't ask to be in that situation. And it doesn't help that Corgi puppies are about the cutest damn things in the world -- but you know better.

You know the answer to this.

Answer 2

Pass on the pup.
You have really good points, but consider this:
The pup may be genetically defective. There is no way to know at this point if this dog is going to be the worst, most expensive mistake you make in a long time.
Report the pet store to the local SPCA, PETA group, or just tell every one to quit going there while they sell dogs.
The dog will get a good home, or will wind up in a shelter and THEN get a good home. Try not to worry about the little doggie.
You are doing the right thing in the long run.

Answer 3

Nothing could get me to buy a puppy mill puppy from a pet store. Don't buy it because you feel sorry for it - that's asking for trouble. You aren't saving it - incuno is completely off base. You are only giving your money to a horrible industry and asking the mothers in these mills to keep producing and then be killed or dumped.

The dog will find a home with some uneducated person who doesn't know how horrible pet shops are. And hopefully, they will love it even if it is a puppy mill dog. : )

Answer 4

I worked for a pet store over the summer, and the pets are not worth the asking prices. Why pay all that money for a dog that will eventually be bought and placed in a home when there are multitudes of animals bursting from the seams of animal shelters around the country who will eventually be euthanized. These are the animals that should tug at your heart strings. These are the animals who need the loving home and the second chance at life. An added bonus is that they are also hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Answer 5

I feel the exact same way about pet store puppies. They do tug at the heartstrings big time. Where I'm from, only one pet store sold puppies for upwards of $1000, but I can tell you, people do buy them. This particular store had a contract with the vet clinic I worked at to give the first puppy exam with our doctor. Many times, the puppies had kennel cough, but that is an easy ailment to treat. 99% of the buyers came in, and every one seemed decent. But anyway, I'm with you. It is a travesty.

Answer 6

Don't get the puppy. You are supporting the puppy mill and the pet store that purchases from them. Plus, many puppy mill puppies (especially the herding breeds) have horrible temperaments and many many health problems. Even though you want to help, don't get the puppy. The best thing that you can do it turn the pet store in to your local animal control and possibly the health department for your area.

If you really want to save a life, go to your local shelter and adopt a dog or puppy.

Answer 7

RIGHT! YOU DO NOT NEED THIS DOG. honestly someone will fall for this, and have a lifetime of vet bills paying for all of this dog's problems, and it does not have to be you. it's sad and it's horrible, but if you want to do a good deed and actually save a dog from death go to your local shelter. millions of dogs actually die there every year, and a small fee usually will get you the dog, spay or neuter, and a microchip. and by going there you are actually saving a dog instead of contributing to puppymills. you and your checkbook will feel much better in the long run. if you have another pet store to go to in your area that doesn't "sell" dogs or cats then i would reccomend goin there, don't even give business to a petstore that incourages puppymill breeders if you can help it. good luck. your heart is in the right place. but please pass this situation on by.

Answer 8

I'm in the same position. I recently went to a pet shop and fell in love with a yorkie. But after researching about how they treat pets
I'm at 98% not going to buy. The pet store I'm dealing with gives you papers and they said a lifetime warranty. But still I don't want to get attach to the dog and he dies or get sickly in my arms.

Answer 9

I would have to agree with Newyorkgal71 on this. I bought a pup from a horrible breeder. I never will again. Harpoon is a sweetheart, but fears everything aside myself and her Border Collie family. I would suggest going elsewhere for your pup, youd only be promoting the situation.

Answer 10

NO, do not buy any puppy from a pet store. They don't care WHY you buy it - they just care that SOMEONE buys it so they can make money and order more.

The only way for the pet stores and puppy mills to stop is to dry up the demand.