Do all pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills?

Question

Today my dad and I visited a pet shop. They were nice and clean and sanitary. The puppies all looked healthy and had no visual flaws, they all had clear eyes and healthy coat. They each weren't crammed in a glass cage (like PetLand) and the cages were open so you were able to interact with all the puppies. They all weren't crammed in together either. There were about two little puppies in each cage (they were fairly large). The people seemed to know a lot about the dogs and breeds. There were no designer breeds. It's not a commercial store.

Do they sound reputable? How can I tell if they get their puppies from reputable breeders or just puppy mills.

I am 109% against puppy mills and buying dogs from petstores, but this seemed like a great place. And it was just for dogs, not dogs cats lizards birds snakes and mice. My dad is trying to tell me that they are good and i'm like paranoid about getting a healthy pup!

Yes I would LOVE a puppy from a breeder, but my dad says no. I dont know why, its making me so frustrated! He's like "the store gets their puppies form breeders anyway!" and I'm trying to tell him there are reputable breeders out there who actually care for their puppies.

And i'm refusing to get one from there, i am just wondering.

Yeah, we went to the SPCA today and yesterday. =)

Answer 1

I know a few pet stores that actually get their pups from breeders, but - I know that no reputable breeder would sell to a pet store.

I'd go with a real breeder just to be safe.

Answer 2

There are a few pet stores in the world that don't. Most do.

Most will hang signs saying they do not support puppy mills and all their puppies are bred safely and healthy by a "reputable" breeder. The "reputable" breeder most use is a commercial dog breeding company that is nothing more than a glorified puppy mill. They might be cleaner than your average puppy mill- but no better as far as the basic treatment of their animals. Any place that can breed over 300 different types of puppies and ship them nationwide to pet stores around the country and stay in business CAN'T be paying THAT MUCH attention to their dogs and they CAN'T be providing their breed "stock" with any decent quality of life.

A good pet store will be glad to let you know the name of the breeder they purchased from.

But remember- the price the pet store is asking is a mark up- most pet store puppies in my are run around the 400 mark, which means they probably purchase the puppies for 200 or less- anyone willing to let a puppy go that cheap isn't concerned with what happens to it, and therefore isn't reputable.

Answer 3

Since you didn't mention wanting a purebred or specific type of puppy, may I suggest you go to your local animal shelter or humane society and adopt a homeless pet? This is a better idea than a pedigree from a pet store for many reasons:
1. You aren't feeding the puppy mills.
2. You are rescuing an abandoned pup.
3. You will generally get a healthier pup from a mixed breed than a purebred.
4. You are a caring person who wants to do the best by an animal, and just the perfect person to get a one of a kind mutt who will be your faithful dog and pal forever.

I have had several kinds of dogs over my lifetime. A purebred toy poodle as a child, a bichon frise purebred (rescued because of severe health problems), three beagle mix dogs (the best!) and a westie mix rescue. The beagle mix dogs were great....loyal, friendly, fun loving, easy to care for, and preferred living outside, and I have always had a little white lap dog in my bed. (Just on the 3rd dog in 37 years, so they are doing well.) The little white purebreds are one person dogs, not family dogs, they get sick often, have seperation anxiety and social issues more, and although I love them, I will probably only get beagle mixes for future pets. Right now we have a beagle/basset pound pup who is just the sweetest thing....he is the best dog we have ever had. Playful, happy, loyal, independent, and really well behaved. And when he gets sad, he has this superduper depressed look and saggy face and howls like the wind. Then once he sees us, he actually smiles.

Whatever you decide, love your pup, and enjoy. Don't let other people get too regimental on you.

Answer 4

Go to petfinder.com and look for puppies in your area.They have all kinds of links to shelters and rescue groups in your area. You can search by breed if you like.

It's really great to get a dog that is a year old or so because they still have that puppy energy, but they are often house trained.

Maybe show some of the pictures to your dad. You will be saving a life and not supporting puppy mills.

Answer 5

Just remember - a REPUTABLE, RESPONSIBLE breeder would never, ever, ever, EVER sell their dog through a pet store.

Puppy mills and people who churn out puppies for profit are the ones who sell their puppies through pet stores.

Just because the storefront is pretty and clean doesn't mean that the dogs are healthy.

Save a life - adopt from a rescue group. I know that one of our local rescue groups was begging for foster homes because they now have THREE moms with pups who can't stay at the shelter until the pups are at least 8 weeks old. Shelters DO have puppies!!!!!

Answer 6

No reputable breeder will sell to a petshop because they want to make sure that their pups go to homes that are a good match for them. On the other hand the petshops goals is just to sell the pup so they make money. The same is true of the commerical breeders, backyard breeders and puppymills.

Since your dad is convinced that these pups are healthy then you need to education him. Look up information about the various health issues of the breed(s) you are interested in and show it to him. The next time he takes you to the pet shop ask to see the puppies papers and check them for proof of health certifications. If the parents have OFA or CERF certifications they will be printed on the papers but odds are they won't.

The other thing you might want to do is check locate so responsible breeders in the breed(s) you are interested in and see what they sell their puppies for. Your dad might be very surprised to find out that many times the responsible breeder will actually be charging you less than the petshop. I've seen many petshops selling low quality purebreds and mixes for hundreds more than you would be for a pet quality puppy from a breeder. Odds are your dad will appreciate that you are trying to save him money and become more reasonable.

Good luck.

Answer 7

I can't see how caged pet-shop puppies are going to be properly socialised, whatever their place of origin. They won't have been properly brought up around humans, nor other domestic animals, or in a home situation.

Most reponsible breeders are very picky who their pups are sold to; if you buy a puppy straight from a good breeder they'll show great concern about your ability to care for a dog, and your experience around them. Most would refuse to sell to someone clearly without a brain, and certainly wouldn't sell to a store where anybody with enough cash can usually walk in and take a puppy without being checked first.

Answer 8

Even if the puppies didn't come from a puppy mill they did come from irresponsible breeders. Responsible breeders will not sell theri puppies through a pet store. Selling through a pet store, puppy broker, etc is against the breeders code of ethics.

Answer 9

Good for you for standing your ground! Some petstores ARE better than others as far as animal care and standards go, but no petstore gets thier pups from a reputable breeder. Try asking them to see the certifications from the parents health testing (OFA for hips, CERF for eyes etc) I bet they don't have them, because the tests were never done. Reputable breeders will ALWAYS test and they'll be able to provide you with the results. Its against the code of ethics for virtually all breed clubs. Plus, a reputable breeder only has a few litters per year at most and carefully plans each litter, then is very involved in thier care, doing early training, socialization etc. Any breeder who spends that sort of time and effort on thier puppies is NOT going to give them to a petstore to be sold god knows where. they like to keep track of the pups and in touch with whoever they go home with. People who buy from petshops for the most part buy on impulseand no little or nothing about the pups they bring home or the breeds. It IS true that you can get a pup from a reputable breeder for far less than what you pay at a petstore- petstores include a mark up because they have to pay thier employees etc and because the pups generally come through a middleman. Why don't you do some leg work and contact the local kennel club and breed clubs and try to find a reputable breeder near you. You'll probably have to wait for a pup to become available, but you can show your Dad that they are priced comparitively or below the pet shop and show him how the parents have been health tested etc. Men often think in terms of quality and good deals- a pup from a reputable breeder is a MUCH better deal than a pet shop pup, you just need to show him the facts in cold data by getting info from reputable breeders of your breed in your area. Email me and I can help you with it ;) Your other alternative is to adopt- http://www.petfinder.com has thousands of dogs needing adoption from recognized rescue groups and shelters across the country, just type in your breed and your area code and it'll show you dogs near you. There are MANY purebreds in shelters and rescues, puppies and adults, often there through no fault of thier own. All my dogs have been rescues, and they've all been just perfect. :) -Neb

Answer 10

all pet store puppies come from puppy mills. it doesnt matter how non commercialized the store is. if they are selling dogs and cats, they got them from puppy and kitten mills. do not buy from a pet store. as others have posted, no reputable breeder would EVER sell their puppies or kittens to a pet store.

have your dad google puppy mills so he can see for himself.