How can I contact someone to take a look at the horrible condition animals are living in at a pet store?

Question

Everytime I walk in to the pet store, there's a ton of puppies towards the back of the store. Theres hardly enough room for them to run around and the play pen is never clean. There's people that have complained about sick puppies and sick kittens and have contacted the owner about the vet bills but she refuses to pay for them. The guinea pigs and rabbits live in one cage and I read somewhere that they aren't supposed to because the rabbits could kick the guinea pigs in the face or something. The breeding rabbits look so miserable and the cats lie on the floor like they are dead. I feel so bad and everytime I walk in there I hold the puppies and play with the cats even though they might be sick. The veterinarian office is connected to the pet store and one of the vets gives the owner of the pet store medicine so she could give it to people that complain about the pets being sick. illegal? probably.

We took our dog to that same vet about a year ago, before we knew any of this and the vet gave her a shot, but the next day we noticed that she had a lump in that same exact spot where they gave her the shot. It breaks my heart to see the animals so miserable; I live in California about 40 min. north of LA. Does anyone know someone I can contact?

Answer 1

You can contact the North Central Animal Shelter on this issue.
3201 Lacy Street Los Angeles, CA 90031. [phone]
Tell them all about it, and they should do the rest.

Answer 2

You can call the SPCA, but they will tell you to phone the police department. Pet stores are required by law to provide proper care for these animals, so they're the only ones who can really do anything about it.
The big problem is, most police officers aren't properly educated in this area so what they see may not be considered horrible. Or, you may get some cops that are angry they have to go and investigate a pet store.

What I would do, after calling the police department, if nothing changes really educate yourself of proper care of the animals sold. One day, go in with a pen and a paper, and a digital camera(to take pictures as evidence), and right down everything that is unacceptable, and make a HUGE scene! Get people to listen to you, talk really loudly, complain a lot about the abuse these animals go through. Educate the people in the store about how harmful this is, educate people in your town about what the pet store is doing. Give the animals a voice!
I really hope that works, and I'm sorry how irritating and painful it is to see animals in that kind of shape. Try your best, and even if it doesn't go well always remember that you did your very best. You gave the animals a voice, whether people listen to you or not unfortunately isn't in your hands.

Answer 3

Not sure where you are, so I dont know what the laws consst of for running a pet shop.
But I can tell you this.....I am a dog groomer that has my own shop here in my home and to legally run a business where animals are concerned you have to have a kennel license.
Which means you have to pay a legal fee to obtain a license and be inspected by the Dpt. of Agriculture every 6 months or you will be put out of business.
They come in and inspect for sanitation, wellfare and treatment of the animals, safety, record keeping, ect...

I am in Georgia and I know for a fact that this law applies in MOST states. Call the information operator and ask for the DEPARTMENT Of AGRICULTURE.

They will be happy to hear what you have to say about this place AND the vet next door. It is a government run agency ;)

It would also be a good idea to contact your local humane society and animal shelter to get them involved.
Good luck I hope that you will pursue it, something needs to be done about it.

ADDED:
The lump that your dog experienced after the shot is actually a common reaction to vaccinations in alot of dogs.
It can take a few days or even a few weeks to go away.

Answer 4

Best Friends Animal Society is a huge no kill sanctuary that helps in the fight against puppy and breeding mills. Maybe if you contact them they can point you in a direction to help end the senseless misery of these poor animals. I just received a newsletter with an article about puppymills.
http://www.bestfriends.org/

Answer 5

The local news media. Most web-sites have a contact us for story tips. They love stories like that.

Answer 6

Humane Society? ASPCA(that's American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? PETA(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Look for websites,try Yellow pages,ask around. Let us know how it goes.

Answer 7

you will probably need to contact the Los Angeles Animal Shelter. here is there website: http://www.laanimalservices.com/
http://www.laanimalservices.com/serv_animalcruelty.htm

or if you are more in ventura area, than here is there website:
http://www.vcar.us/

good luck! and you are doing a great thing by calling them!

Answer 8

=( =( gosh i really wish i could help you!!!!!
you maybe could call the police because it's like a puppy mill which is totally cruel. they can get in serious trouble for that.. report it asap... i wish i could help you find the place to find those animals safe homes.

i feel sick to my stomach even hearing about this. and thank you for asking for help!!

Answer 9

Call the Humane Society in your area. If they are not the people to contact, they will know who to contact.

http://www.hsus.org/

http://www.hsus.org/pets/animal_shelters/how_to_find_your_local_animal_shelter.html

Answer 10

I believe you want to get ahod of the ASPC. They are like "animal cops" who will arrest and whatnot. look them up in the web under maybe animal abuse california agency. good luck, i hope you stop those guys.