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STOP THE SALE OF DOGS AND CATS
Many pet stores, including Petco and Petsmart, have decided against the sale of puppies and kittens. They, instead, offer space for adoption agencies to display their adoptable animals.
Unfortunately, other stores, such as Petland, have yet to discontinue the sale of such animals. This is unfortunate for both the animals and customers.
Pet stores that sell dogs and/or cats are:
- Supporting pet mills.
The fact is that no responsible breeder would ever sell to a pet store. It just doesn't happen. Responsible breeders want to know where their animals are going and they don't breed their animals often enough to keep stores stocked - only pet mills are able to keep up with the demand.
These commercial breeding facilities produce animal after animal in warehouse like conditions, with only profit in mind. Animals are considered livestock – not pets - and because they are bred for quantity, not quality, unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders are passed on from generation to generation. Many pet store puppies and kittens develop hip deformities, epilepsy, and vision or hearing problems later on in life. Serious illnesses such as parvovirus, distemper, ear infections, and respiratory problems are also common.
Contributing to pet overpopulation. Every year, commercial breeders deliberately bring millions of animals into an already overpopulated world to sell them for profit.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that, every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them.
Estimates by the HSUS also say that 25-30% of dogs in shelters are purebred.
Encouraging impulse buys. People that have researched a breed of dog purchase their new dog from private, reputable breeders or breed rescues. They don't go to pet stores where puppies are bought by people who have more money (or credit) than sense.
Simply because someone can monetarily afford a dog or cat doesn't mean they can in the long run, nor does it mean they have the knowledge to properly care for it. When a pet is bought without any research or planning, the results are rarely happy. Many of these animals end up in animal shelters (accounting for the 25% purebreed rate in shelters).
Cheating customers. Pet stores sell puppies for a HUGE profit. In fact, most pet store puppies are originally sold by breeders for around fifty dollars each. They are then sold to brokers who mark up their price by a hundred dollars. The brokers then sell the puppies to pet stores who will raise their price by HUNDREDS of dollars.
The mark-up of a puppy sold in a pet shop can be as high as 1,000 (one thousand!) percent. Those $1,000 dollar puppies you see in pet stores are, in reality, worth a fraction of their exorbitant price tag! Definitely a fraudulent practice when you consider that most pet store puppies suffer from a long list of health and behavioral problems.
Abusing animals. Puppies were not meant to be locked in small, barren cages! They should be able to run and play. They require socialization - not loneliness!
Most pet store puppy cages consist of a mesh floored cage, a single chew toy, and, if they're lucky, a mat to sleep on. Rarely do any of the cages have a soft nesting spot.
Puppies are also kept confined with their own waste products - this causes serious housebreaking problems later on.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
NEVER buy a puppy or kitten from a pet store. There are thousands of dogs and cats already in need of homes. Do the right thing and adopt from local shelters. You can find the perfect pet for you by visiting Petfinder.org.
Boycott stores that sell dogs and cats. Tell them that you are taking your business elsewhere until they stop selling dogs and cats.
Write "Letters to the Editor" describing why it is cruel for pet stores to sell dogs and cats. The more people you reach the better!
Write and/or call the CEO of Petland and demand that Petland stop selling puppies and kittens:
Ed Kunzleman, CEO
Petland
250 Riverside Street
P.O. Box 1606
Chillicothe, OH 45601
operations@petland.com
800.221.5935 Telephone
740.775.2575 Fax
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