| When you visit the pet store at the local mall, you | | | | you realize the problem, you will have already |
| see adorable puppies for sale. You ask to hold one | | | | become attached to the pup and not want to return |
| and the puppy is so cute, you think about buying it. | | | | it. If you do take your sick puppy back to the store, |
| Is this a good idea? | | | | they will probably resell the puppy to some other |
| How many of us have been walking around the local | | | | family or return the pup to the facility that it came |
| mall and decided to stop in the pet store to look at | | | | from. There is no way they will spend money to |
| the puppies? They are so cute and we feel sad that | | | | make it healthy. |
| they are stuck in those little wire cages. You may be | | | | If your new puppy doesn't have serious health |
| tempted to bring one home. Unfortunately, the | | | | problems, you may find there are behavioral |
| puppies in pet stores may come from unlicensed | | | | problems. You have to remember that these puppies |
| kennels, unscrupulous breeders, puppy brokers or | | | | have had no socialization. Many times they are taken |
| even a puppy mill. | | | | from their mother well before they are 8 weeks old. |
| If you choose to buy from a pet store, you are | | | | They have lived their entire lives in small cages. The |
| most likely buying from a store clerk with minimal or | | | | adjustment to a family home and all that entails can |
| no knowledge about the breed. There will be minimal | | | | be too much for the puppy. Your pup won't be used |
| information on the pup's parents and no information | | | | to something as simple as walking on grass or carpet. |
| on health testing. Pet stores are not concerned with | | | | Housebreaking can be extremely difficult because the |
| the health of the sire or dam. There is no thought to | | | | puppy doesn't know anything but his cage. This is |
| possible genetic problems that will make the puppy | | | | especially difficult if the puppy you bring home is a |
| sick as it gets older. Close line breeding or inbreeding | | | | little older. Often the puppies in a pet store are 12-16 |
| is common since the main objective for pet stores is | | | | weeks old by the time they are bought. |
| quantity and sales. | | | | You may want to save a puppy from that small wire |
| If you bring home a puppy from a pet store, there is | | | | cage, but, although your intentions may be good |
| a good chance he will not be feeling well from | | | | when you buy from a pet store, it is very likely you |
| intestinal parasites and probably the vaccination | | | | will have to return the puppy or even give it up to |
| records are not correct or missing altogether. The | | | | a shelter because of the behavioral problems. The |
| pet store may offer you a health guarantee but it | | | | best thing you can do is buy from a reputable |
| usually means that if you bring the puppy back, they | | | | breeder. This will take a good bit of research on your |
| will replace it with another one. You should be aware | | | | part, but it will be worth your time. An even better |
| that some states have a "Puppy Lemon Law", which | | | | option is to adopt a puppy from a shelter or rescue. |
| provides you with some leverage and protection | | | | Spread the word to your friends and family so they |
| when dealing with corporate owned pet stores. The | | | | can save themselves the heartbreak of a pet store |
| pet stores are counting on the fact that by the time | | | | puppy. |