This makes me so sad... :(

[Liann]

People who run these puppy mills should be locked up in cages and treated the way they treat these poor dogs!!! The same goes for all the stores who sell them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27822309/?gt1=43001

 

[fit44]

I agree Liann! It sickens me that there are people capable of this type of torture and abuse.
A new pet shop cropped up in our neighborhood. The good news is they didn't stay in business very long. There was a group of people who picketed the store every single day! I love it

 

[Beavs]

I agree Liann! It sickens me that there are people capable of this type of torture and abuse.
A new pet shop cropped up in our neighborhood. The good news is they didn't stay in business very long. There was a group of people who picketed the store every single day! I love it

I wish such people would show up at the thriving pet shops in the malls in my area.

 

[Miss Lee]

I can't look at the article -- I usually avoid animal threads of this nature because I can't take it. But yes, it makes me sick. I saw more than I ever cared to when I worked for a vet.

 

[Liann]

I can't look at the article -- I usually avoid animal threads of this nature because I can't take it. But yes, it makes me sick. I saw more than I ever cared to when I worked for a vet.

Don't worry, it's not graphic or anything. Just an article about how Petland is being linked to puppy mills. They are selling puppies for these ridiculous prices (up to 3K) and they are coming from the worst possible places. They should be shut down.

 

[TeTe]

What makes me angrier are the people who keep these places in business...the ones who buy their pets from them. I know the animals shouldn't be punished, and, of course your heart goes out to them, but until people stop buying their cats and dogs from disreputable pet shops and breeders, the businesses will continue to thrive.

On another note, there was an article in our local paper about how many people are turning their pets over to shelters now because the state of the economy; because of layoffs, foreclosures, etc., they say they can't afford to take care of them.

 

[Liann]

On another note, there was an article in our local paper about how many people are turning their pets over to shelters now because the state of the economy; because of layoffs, foreclosures, etc., they say they can't afford to take care of them.

That's just awful! My DH and I have drastically cut back on our groceries, but never on the doggies or g-piggies food. They eat better than we do! If we went totally bankrupt, we'd still be sitting on a street corner with 3 fat wiener dogs and piggies. (They'd all have "will work for food" signs in front of them, but they'd still be with us!)

 

[Miss Lee]

It really makes me sad that people can no longer afford the high cost of pet care. I had to take my cat in for his annual exam last month. I also bought 2 cases of prescription food ($50/case). The vet picked up a heart murmur so we did an ultrasound. My total bill was nearly $600, and I have to have another ultrasound this month to see if the meds are working. I'm lucky I can afford it.

 

[fit44]

What makes me angrier are the people who keep these places in business...the ones who buy their pets from them. I know the animals shouldn't be punished, and, of course your heart goes out to them, but until people stop buying their cats and dogs from disreputable pet shops and breeders, the businesses will continue to thrive.

This is a problem in itself. Many people do not understand what a reputable breeder is. The average person shopping for a dog thinks all they need to look for is an AKC registration.

For anyone reading this that does not know what to look for in a reputable breeder.
http://www.hkc.org/breederchoice.htm

On another note, there was an article in our local paper about how many people are turning their pets over to shelters now because the state of the economy; because of layoffs, foreclosures, etc., they say they can't afford to take care of them.

Sad thing is, rescue groups and shelters are bombarded every year, late winter. That is about the time people realize this cute little Christmas pup is a full time commitment, not just some cool present under the tree

 

[Annie973]

This is very sad and I know puppies are cute so it's easy to feel sorry for them. But I have to say all animals raised in factory farms (cows, pigs, chickens, etc) are horrible abused. Most chickens are never able to lift their wings because they are so tightly packed into cages...cows never see grass...they're babies are stolen from them right away and they are immediately artifically impregnated again so they continue producing milk. Yes they are like humans they only produce milk to feed their young. The male calfs are of course either used for veal or live a slightly longer miserable life to become a hamburger. Pigs suffer a lot of the same abuse there is no laying in the sun and having mud baths. They to only see the light of day when they are crammed in trucks on the way to the slaughter house. A lot of times in winter they become frozen to one another because it is so cold outside and there is no protection for them. Animals are perceptive they feel pain and have fear just like our house pets. I feel most people never even think about how the food gets on their plate....I know I never did before I became aware of factory farming. I think if everyone ate vegetarian just one day a week it would help make a difference. (Of course I think everyone should be vegan all the time!!) Sorry don't mean to rant it just saddens me to think of what these animals go through when there are so many vegetarian options out there.

 

[buckeyegirl]

It is truly sad - we have a Petland in our town, and I have seen some genetic disasters come from there.

You have to watch out for some of the rescue groups, too. One of my technicians told me there is one in MI claims to be a "non-profit rescue" but have a constant source of multiple puppies, etc. Apparently they do "rescue" these from puppy mills, but then sell them - so they are in fact propagating puppy mills as well. So, be careful! I think Oprah's bit on puppy mills talked about that problem as well. And, I live in Ohio, one of the worst puppy mill states in the country....blech...

Heidi

 

[kathryn]

I'm not even reading it, but I agree.

Unfortunately, many animals in pet stores (even nice-seeming ones) come from these places, and as long as people 'buy' (I 'adopt') their pets from places like these, puppy mills will continue to exist. And their are even veterinarians who have a stake in puppy mills. Makes you wonder why they became a vet: must have been for the money, and not because they cared much for animals.

 

[kathryn]

On another note, there was an article in our local paper about how many people are turning their pets over to shelters now because the state of the economy; because of layoffs, foreclosures, etc., they say they can't afford to take care of them.

I volunteer at my local shelter, and I'm getting more worried about that: not only people bringing in pets they can no longer afford to take care of, but animals that are already there not being adopted (and there are some cats that have been there for quite a while and I'm worried they might euthanize some of them soon both because they are not getting a home, and because their budget might be getting reduced, so they won't be able to house as many animals). I almost dread going there now, because I'm afraid that suddenly there will be quite a few fewer animals, and not adopted (I've learned NOT to ask what happened to them, and just give them lots of attention and care when I do visit them).

 

[Vee]

I volunteer at my local shelter, .....(I've learned NOT to ask what happened to them, and just give them lots of attention and care when I do visit them).

May you be blessed for your compassion.

 

[Vee]

I go in and ask to be allowed to play with the animals in pet stores. Quite often, they let me. The kittens and pups are so starved for affection. It breaks my heart to put them back in a cage. I was asked to leave a pet store once for asking the manager if he did not think caging animals was sad.

Awareness is quite low. When I tell people not to buy from pet stores I sometimes hear "But where else will we get pets from?" They say this in all seriousness. Strange as it seems they havent thought about those animals spending days and nights in cages in a store, or what it took to create a supply.

 

[kathryn]

I go in and ask to be allowed to play with the animals in pet stores. Quite often, they let me. The kittens and pups are so starved for affection. It breaks my heart to put them back in a cage. I was asked to leave a pet store once for asking the manager if he he did not think caging animals was sad.

Awareness is quite low. When I tell people not to buy from pet stores I sometimes hear "But where else will we get pets from?" They say this in all seriousness. Strange as it seems they havent thought about those animals spending days and nights in cages in a store, or what it took to create a supply.

Don't get me started about some things I've read about pet stores (especially what they do with 'surplus' or unsold animals).

Some of the things I saw in a pet-store window when I lived in Madison, WI: a beautiful Abyssinian cat going crazy and pacing back and forth, walking into his pan and out with dialated pupils; a puppy who got his foot tangled up in the shredded paper they use as bedding (I went in to tell the manager about it, he got some scissors and pretended to trim the paper away (!!), then put the puppy back and said he was fine. I reached through the cage and tore the rest of the paper off myself).

Pet store owners, and people who work with living creatures, should have some kind of screening process. Unfortunately, anyone can open a pet store, even those who just see animals as a way for profit and have no empathy for them as living creatures.