Complaint Review: Petland

I just want to thank Nick. Whether you are for petstores or not, you hit it right on the nose. These people are snobs, think they are better than other, and think they know everything. Similar with you, I have a mutt, and I love him as much as my "purebred" and as much as any other dog I have had in the past, and may get in the future. These people think they know all the facts, and they're "opinion" is the only one. Well, us sensible, realistic people know that's not the case. Thank you again, for your thoughts.

I just want to thank Nick. Whether you are for petstores or not, you hit it right on the nose. These people are snobs, think they are better than other, and think they know everything. Similar with you, I have a mutt, and I love him as much as my "purebred" and as much as any other dog I have had in the past, and may get in the future. These people think they know all the facts, and they're "opinion" is the only one. Well, us sensible, realistic people know that's not the case. Thank you again, for your thoughts.

I just want to thank Nick. Whether you are for petstores or not, you hit it right on the nose. These people are snobs, think they are better than other, and think they know everything. Similar with you, I have a mutt, and I love him as much as my "purebred" and as much as any other dog I have had in the past, and may get in the future. These people think they know all the facts, and they're "opinion" is the only one. Well, us sensible, realistic people know that's not the case. Thank you again, for your thoughts.

Now we're getting somewhere. Someone gets a puppy with the sniffles, and it turns into one big debate versus regular people wanting a dog and the animal rights activists demanding moral consequences that simply don't exist.

In case anyone else noticed, Bob from Mesa made the report, yet Kim from Chandler rebuked someone for "attacking" and "bad vibes" regarding "my dog". Is the dog in Mesa, or Chandler, and is it Bob's or Kim's?

Then Kathy from Illinois quacks about Petland employees having no conscious and being able to sleep at night. It's called a Pet STORE for a reason. You can say that cutting down trees is bad, or be against practices of the logging industry without hating Home Depot for selling wood. Or can you?

Then P offers this gem:
You know why people go to a petstore to buy a pup? Because they want it NOW - they don't want to have to wait for a puppy from a reputable breeder.

WRONG. People go to a Pet Store to get advice, to get suited for the pet that is right for them. Most people aren't willing to put the time and effort YOU think should go into choosing a pet.

Or should every customer get a college degree in the various temperments and be a licensed vet before they are qualified to know which pet they want and how to identify even the minute of symptoms?

I have 3 dogs and 5 cats. Guess what? I didn't need to know their temperments to love them. One dog came from a puppy mill, and he is lovable, loyal and protective of my cats! The other two dogs I rescued, one cat I picked out, and then adopted 4 strays over the years.

What I find most amazing is the " high value" placed on a dog from a breeder, the "decreased value" the same person puts on a puppymill dog, and then turn and say that Petland is "only in it for the money". YOU people are putting a dollar value on a dog with your "reputable" and "unreputable" breeder comments.

The laws of your state have determined that pets have a monetary value. But watching you ANTI- Petland/Petsmart/PetCo guys fall over yourselves trying to figure out that value, and then try to make it compliment your "morals" is hilarious.

No-one bred my dogs. They're all mutts. Guess that doesn't fly with some of you here, who think the "creating the perfect healthy pet" will determine the quality of time or the amount of happiness you'll get. Sounds to me like you're the ones getting ripped off.

I'd post more, but I'm going to spend some more time with my "poorly-bred" "low-value" "unreputable" and "unhealthy" pets while you nose-in-the-air, s****.>

Dave, Dave, Dave.

First of all I've read this entire thread and I have to save Dave you still sound like a Petland employee.

Promotional material for Petland contains statements and assertions regarding the origin of puppies that are grossly misleading. Petlands's reliance on puppy mills to supply its stores is easily verifiable through health certificates available through "Freedom of Information" statutes. These undeniably establish Petland's reliance on this cruel industry to supply its stores. The callous disregard for living creatures exhibited by some Petland franchisees strengthens my resolve to effect change on behalf of animals who your company views as mere commodities. In addition to the suffering of these animals, too many families have experienced tremendous emotional trauma after bonding with an animal companion who was stricken with debilitating or life threatening conditions typically associated with "mill" animals. Time and again I read accounts of franchisees offering to exchange a beloved animal companion for another as if the living animal were a piece of damaged furniture. Petland uphold social and moral responsibility for the suffering of animals sold at its stores and act to stop it. At this point the majority of Petland stores are oblivious to this concept.

P from Colorado Springs has responded with facts and you have embarrassingly responded with uneducated corporate malarkey.


R
Tucson, Arizona
Home of yet another Petland.

Petland does teach us certain principles, but I am a big boy, and can make up my own mind of whether I think the animals are treated well enough, and from respectable breeders. I know for a fact that some of the breeders you talk about from your AKC website and other breed sites, sell to petstores, because I've seen it firsthand.

So, many of your reputable breeders are breaking their "code of ethics," so, I guess their not as reputable as you think they are. I know for a fact no dog has or will be ever put to sleep in any Petland store I know of or will know of. It wouldn't make sense on many levels. If you think otherwise you are completely ignorant. Why would a store owner pay any amount of money for a puppy, then just put it down. That's insane.

We mark down a puppy if it stays for a certain amount of time, and continue to do so until, if necessary it's given away at lower than cost. And don't talk to me about not knowing about kennel cough being a contagious bacterial infection. The common flu for humans is a contagious virus, should we rant about humans being ill bred. I don't think so. Your comment about a Petland smelling. I think if you had a bunch of dogs in one place overnight and came in the morning, it would smell like crap too. Get over it, it's crap, it smells. Does your crap not stink?

And why don't you educate the majority of the public about not breeding dogs and spay/neuter programs, instead of coming after a pet store which contributes about 1% of that problem at most. Most of the dogs you find in shelters are husky, chow, shepard mixes. I can count on one hand the amount of dogs of those breeds that we've sold. And we all know the majority of the dogs in the shelters are pit bulls and mixes of them, and no Petlands will sell any pit bull or mix of. So, how is it again that Petland is causing this problem.

Again, it's ignorance on your part. You can say all you want about your reputable breeders, but the fact is that Petlands take care of their pets well, give the owners the knowledge and tools to take care of their pets well, and they make thousands of people happy every year. I can't help it if you're a stick in the mud, but why should they have to deny people the happiness they deserve. And trust me or every one bad experience at a Petland, there are hundreds of good ones.

And that is something that you will never know or understand because you are too ignorant and want to believe everything that you read, or say you know from experience. Why don't you stop your crying and stop bashing those who make people happy.

hehe - hmm...alright ROR, will you accept this instead? ;)

To get to the American Kennel Club website and find a reputable/responsible breeder, do a search on American Kennel club. Once there, click on the Breeders Tab or the Breeders link. You will go to the Breeders section of the website. On the left hand side of that page, near the bottom, under the heading More Links, click the Breeder Referral link. This will take you to a listing of the Parent Clubs for each breed. There's a link to the Parent Club website, an email or phone number for the referral person, a link to a breeder directory, and link to a listing of breed clubs under each breed.

But since I was typing that reply at 2am, I think it's a forgivable. I simply combined your JRT with your other Petland dogs. In any case, the example I used still stands, a reputable breeder belonging to a breed club that has a Code of Ethics wouldn't sell a puppy to a pet store. The example I used of a reputable breeder not needing to do DNA testing still stands as well.

But you know what Dave, I'm done arguing with you. You say I know nothing about Petland and I contend that you know diddly about reputable/ responsible breeders. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

To Bob, I do apologize for highjacking your thread about your pup and I hope that he will continue to get better. Thank you for doing all that you could for him, he is better off with you than he would have been going back to Petland.

To anyone interested in a purebred puppy, please do your homework and find a reputable/responsible breeder. They can be found at the American Kennel Club website - look for the links to the Parent club of the breed you have chosen. This is the direct link to the listing of Parent clubs on the AKC website (if ROR doesn't remove it)
((( ROR did remove it)))

To Dave, good luck with your dogs, I hope they remain as healthy and happy as you say they are.

But since I was typing that reply at 2am, I think it's a forgivable. I simply combined your JRT with your other Petland dogs. In any case, the example I used still stands, a reputable breeder belonging to a breed club that has a Code of Ethics wouldn't sell a puppy to a pet store. The example I used of a reputable breeder not needing to do DNA testing still stands as well.

But you know what Dave, I'm done arguing with you. You say I know nothing about Petland and I contend that you know diddly about reputable/ responsible breeders. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

To Bob, I do apologize for highjacking your thread about your pup and I hope that he will continue to get better. Thank you for doing all that you could for him, he is better off with you than he would have been going back to Petland.

To anyone interested in a purebred puppy, please do your homework and find a reputable/responsible breeder. They can be found at the American Kennel Club website - look for the links to the Parent club of the breed you have chosen. This is the direct link to the listing of Parent clubs on the AKC website (if ROR doesn't remove it)
((( ROR did remove it)))

To Dave, good luck with your dogs, I hope they remain as healthy and happy as you say they are.

But since I was typing that reply at 2am, I think it's a forgivable. I simply combined your JRT with your other Petland dogs. In any case, the example I used still stands, a reputable breeder belonging to a breed club that has a Code of Ethics wouldn't sell a puppy to a pet store. The example I used of a reputable breeder not needing to do DNA testing still stands as well.

But you know what Dave, I'm done arguing with you. You say I know nothing about Petland and I contend that you know diddly about reputable/ responsible breeders. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

To Bob, I do apologize for highjacking your thread about your pup and I hope that he will continue to get better. Thank you for doing all that you could for him, he is better off with you than he would have been going back to Petland.

To anyone interested in a purebred puppy, please do your homework and find a reputable/responsible breeder. They can be found at the American Kennel Club website - look for the links to the Parent club of the breed you have chosen. This is the direct link to the listing of Parent clubs on the AKC website (if ROR doesn't remove it)
((( ROR did remove it)))

To Dave, good luck with your dogs, I hope they remain as healthy and happy as you say they are.

But since I was typing that reply at 2am, I think it's a forgivable. I simply combined your JRT with your other Petland dogs. In any case, the example I used still stands, a reputable breeder belonging to a breed club that has a Code of Ethics wouldn't sell a puppy to a pet store. The example I used of a reputable breeder not needing to do DNA testing still stands as well.

But you know what Dave, I'm done arguing with you. You say I know nothing about Petland and I contend that you know diddly about reputable/ responsible breeders. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

To Bob, I do apologize for highjacking your thread about your pup and I hope that he will continue to get better. Thank you for doing all that you could for him, he is better off with you than he would have been going back to Petland.

To anyone interested in a purebred puppy, please do your homework and find a reputable/responsible breeder. They can be found at the American Kennel Club website - look for the links to the Parent club of the breed you have chosen. This is the direct link to the listing of Parent clubs on the AKC website (if ROR doesn't remove it)
((( ROR did remove it)))

To Dave, good luck with your dogs, I hope they remain as healthy and happy as you say they are.

LOL, how did I know that you used to work for Petland, Dave? Only someone who worked for them and believed all their hype would come here and defend them so vigorously.

No, I don't breed dogs - I just can't stand to see someone defend something as repugnant as a commercial breeder/pet store.

Again, your dog did not come from a reputable breeder. No reputable breeder would sell a puppy to a pet store. Most parent clubs for breeds have a paragraph in their code of ethics prohibiting it. Here's what the Parson Russell Terrier code of ethics says: "Not sell dogs to any commercial wholesaler or retailer. Nor donate dogs to auctions, raffles or research." and the JRTCA one says: "(11) Do not knowingly sell or consign puppies or adults to pet shops, brokers, or puppy mills, nor supply terriers for raffles, prizes, or similar projects." Your dogs' breeder sold puppies to a retailer and violated the code of ethics for the breed, therefore, your dogs' breeder was NOT reputable. Petlands puppies come from HUNTE CORPORATION, the biggest commercial puppy seller/breeder/broker in the country and the occasional backyard breeder who couldn't get rid of a litter of puppies that they've had.

Most reputable breeders don't need to get their dogs DNA certified - this is something that commercial breeders do because their studs are used more than 3 times a year and/or have sired more than 7 litters in their lifetimes. It's called the Frequently Used Sire program and if a commercial breeder refuses to do it, AKC suspends them. Funny how I hardly ever see AKC registered puppies in Petland anymore. You know why? Because the commercial breeders moved to other registries to avoid having anyone look too closely at their breeding practices.

That's great that your dogs parents had their OFA certifications, what about the grandparents? Is their OFA certification for hips, elbows, or patellas? What about your dogs' siblings? How about their eyes? Have they been CERF'd? CERF is a yearly certification. Have they been Baer tested for deafness? Your "25 champions" doesn't mean squat if your dogs genetic history isn't clean and you have no idea what's behind those dogs.

I'm not basing my opinions on websites. I'm basing them on personal experience I've gotten when working with my breed club and rescues. I've been in Petlands that had employees recommending the wrong types of dogs for given situations. I've been in Petlands where I couldn't even RECOGNIZE the breed of a puppy until I read the card because the puppy was so badly bred that it didn't even resemble the dog it was supposed to be. I've been in Petlands that had puppies with worms, puppies with bloody diarrhea, and puppies with eye infections. I've been in Petlands that smelled so bad I nearly puked. I've worked at a vet that treated puppies from Petland. I've worked with Humane Society and rescue volunteers who have to deal with these puppies once the family has outgrown them. Guess what Dave? People don't always bring their disposable pets back to Petland, they drop them off at the pound. So, I have a lot more experience with this than you think I do.

Your comment about "godlike" breeders is telling. The reason reputable breeders can tell you if a puppy is right for you is because they've spent it's first 7 weeks or longer with it. They've watched it interact with it's littermates and it's surroundings. You go into a Petland and they have no clue what a puppies actual personality is. It's impossible to judge when you've only worked with it in a high stress situation and being in a pet store is a high stress situation for a puppy. And don't try to tell me that being on display, having people tap on the glass of your enclosure, and having multiple people handle you over and over again isn't stressful.

You have no idea what a reputable breeder is, you only know what Petland poured into your brain while you worked there. The comment about your pup only having a "cold" when it really had a contagious bacterial infection (Kennel Cough) was proof of that. I find it hard to believe that you could have worked for a veterinarian and not known that. Unless it was for Petland's vet, then I understand completely.

Spend some time working at a Humane Society euthanizing unwanted pets then tell me how you feel about places like Petland.

P, let me guess, you're one of these so called "reputable breeders?" You say for every good story from a Petland, you have ten bad. I sincerely doubt that. Well I would like to inform you, that I also used to work for a Petland. I know from 1st hand experience that for every bad customer experience, there is probably two hundred good ones.

Don't tell me you know what's going on in these stores. I know that we had taken back numerous dogs where the owners had to move, or had some other life altering experience and couldn't keep the dog. We didn't just hand out flyers, we took the dog in and adopted it out to a loving home. And whatever happened to playing with a dog first to see it's personality and falling in love with a particular dog? Is that such a bad thing? Or should I just try to fall in love with a dog that this godlike breeder tells me is the right fit for me. I don't buy it.

If I'm going to buy a pet I'm going to have for fifteen years, you better believe I will want to play with it a couple times before I purchase it. And in your comment about not contacting the breeders, that's a bunch of bull as well. If there was a problem with a puppy, I know for a fact the breeders were very receptive, and did take care of the problem, and also did take a certain parent out of breeding contention.

My puppy, has about 25 champions in his bloodline, both parents are champions, and both parents are DNA, and OFA certified. Is that coming from a puppy mill, I don't think so. You really need to get your facts straight. You're basing most of your "opinions" on what you are reading from a bunch of fanatics on a website. Do you believe everything you read on the internet? I surely hope not.

From working at a Petland, I know that they care about the animals and the animals well-being. They have turned down many people with cash in hand, because they weren't right for the puppy, so again, don't tell me otherwise because I have seen it firsthand.

I have done so much research on the internet, the newspapers, and throughout breed books and magazines, and I see so many of the same "reputable breeders" names pop up as the same that sell their pups to Petlands. Petland never claims to sell show dogs, and that's ok. And if the breeders aren't selling the Petlands their top quality pups, that's ok too. Because Petlands only claim to do one thing. And that is to match the right pet with the right customer. They only claim to and sell "companion" animals. And even though my dog that I got from there has all the champions, I would never consider showing him. He is my companion and best friend, and that's what Petland promised me, and for that I am greatful.

Maybe somebody knows the answer to...
What happens if the puppy or kitten doesn't get sold at the pet store?
I mean I have never seen an older dog or cat for sale in the store, so what happens?
It's hard for me to believe that every animal "in stock" gets purchased.
Thanks!

You still didn't answer my question about who had the healthier puppies - the reputable breeder who screens for genetic defects or the commercial breeder who does no screening?

"I have used a "reputable breeder" in the past when I bought a Jack Russell in New Jersey. My dog got sick and they didn't help me with anything. In fact, it was near impossible to get a hold of them."

Then you didn't use a reputable breeder, did you? Was this by chance a puppy out of the newspaper? It sounds more like you found a backyard breeder than a reputable breeder.

Petlands Pet for a Lifetime programs says this:
"Assistance at Petland may include posting flyers in the store and at associated veterinary clinics, making pet placement calls and informing Petland Pet Counselors, who in turn will spread the word to friends and family."

Where does it say that Petland will take the dog back once the owners have it for longer than the 48 hours that they state on their website? I'll give you a hint, it doesn't.

"I have also worked for a vet clinic before and saw just as many if not more sick and problematic pets from these "reputable breeders" than from pet stores."

Hmm...I worked for a vet too and the dogs that we saw that had genetic disorders (liver shunts, hip dysplasia, and cataracts just to name a few) were 99% of the time from either a pet store or a backyard breeder. You are confusing backyard breeders with reputable breeders. Backyard breeders do no testing either. They are usually just breeding so that little Susie can see 'the miracle of life' or some such nonsense. A good portion of the population of dogs in shelters comes from THESE sources, not from reputable breeders.

"Are you aware that Petlands across the country adopt out thousands of dogs from their local shelters? I guess you don't think this is true, or think it's only for money???"

Are you aware that Petland contributes to this problem themselves by selling unspayed and neutered pets? Even if they do hand out "free" spay/neuter certificates, this in NO way insures that people aren't going to breed Fluffy just to recoup the cost of their puppy.

"And I know Petlands have turned down people's money because they weren't the right fit for the dog"

LOL, right and they aren't running the business to make money either! They WILL take your money regardless of the situation, it would be against the most basic business tenants not to. I guarantee I could walk into any Petland in the country and get whatever animal I wanted to if I had the money in hand.

"Then why do some of these breeders charge twice or three much as a pet store and give nothing with their pup? I guess because the pup is that much better?"

They are better - because the breeder knows the breed, has done the required health testing, and chose the 2 dogs that best complemented each other. Unlike commercial breeders who just breed one stud to several different females. As for the price being twice as much at a reputable breeder, that's laughable. I've walked into a Petland and found a Cockapoo (a MUTT) and they wanted over $1200 for it. I've seen Australian Shepherds in there for over $2000. Reputable breeders charge more than backyard breeders (not pet stores) because they do more testing, spend more time with the litters, and more money insuring that the mother is in the best condition possible. Your commercially bred puppy didn't get that kind of attention.

"And Petlands do give all the paperwork with their pups, they give the breeders names and addresses"

Yeah, and if you look really closely, I'm sure that there is a USDA commercial breeder license number in there too. Have fun trying to contact those breeders when you have a problem - they were the ones who sold the puppies off in litter lots to brokers. They don't give a flying fig what happens to them after that.

"They make the process of buying a puppy stress free, and easy."

Yeah, because they don't care where it's going just as long as you give them the money. Buying a puppy SHOULDN'T be an easy thing, it's a lifelong commitment and needs to be seriously thought out. It shouldn't be a spur of the moment thing, period. Pets end up in shelters because people bought them when they were cute little puppies and it was "easy" to get them but once that newness wore off, they dumped them. Ask ANY humane society about the spike in the number of dogs that are turned in about 3 months after Christmas.

As far as your "factual" information, there is overwhelming evidence that Petland doesn't honor their contracts or their so-called "Pets for a Lifetime" or puppy replacement/return policies. Try doing an internet search on "petland problems" and see what you get. Search on HERE for Petland and you will find more complaints than just this one.

I'm glad you got a nice puppy from Petland but for every good story I hear about Petland, I hear 10 more bad ones. I've seen and heard WAY too many stories of people who got sick puppies, puppies with multiple genetic problems, etc, to believe that Petland is in it for the good of the dogs.

Thanks for your comments, but I do know what I'm talking about. I have used a "reputable breeder" in the past when I bought a Jack Russell in New Jersey. My dog got sick and they didn't help me with anything. In fact, it was near impossible to get a hold of them. You guys should get YOUR facts straight. Petlands DO offer a three year warrantee against anything congenital and hereditary, contrary to your misconceptions. They also never take back the dog if it were to have a hereditary problem, they just give you a new one.

Also, contrary to your misconceptions, they have a program called "Pets for a lifetime," which says any pet bought at Petland at any point in the person's life can be brought back and will be adopted out. Why don't you find out the FACTS before you come to me with misinformation about Petlands. I have also worked for a vet clinic before and saw just as many if not more sick and problematic pets from these "reputable breeders" than from pet stores. I'm not saying there aren't bad pet stores out there, but I from my experience and my factual information, don't think Petland is one of them.

Are you aware that Petlands across the country adopt out thousands of dogs from their local shelters? I guess you don't think this is true, or think it's only for money??? And of course nothing is "free" and everything is built into the price, but I want that security and everything given to me, so I don't have to worry about it in the end. They make the process of buying a puppy stressfree, and easy. And I know Petlands have turned down people's money because they weren't the right fit for the dog, so again, get your facts straight. You can say these "reputable breeders" only breed for the shear enjoyment they get. That's a crock. Then why do some of these breeders charge twice or three much as a petstore and give nothing with their pup? I guess because the pup is that much better? I think not. And Petlands do give all the paperwork with their pups, they give the breeders names and addresses, and whatever the customer wants to know. Once again, don't tell me you guys know soo much about petstores, when you obviously know nothing.

I just wanted to say good job on not returning the dog to the store like the owner said! You are probably right, that the dog would die before he got help. I am just so glad to hear that you didn't just hand the dog back, and that the dogs health was more important to you than getting your money back!!!

That is such a sad situation. I agree with many comments above that pet stores are a bad place to buy animals. Even if you do get a healthy animal, it doesn't take away from the fact that many of the animals are treated badly and transported to the stores. You may also get a friendly clerk who really cares about animals and enjoys the job and wants to help you find the perfect animal..like Dave did.

The only way to stop them from harming more animals is to stop buying. Don't even buy food/treats/toys from a store that sells animals.
You will always get a much happier, healthier dog from a breeder. I have never known a breeder or shelter that lets just anyone adopt or purchase. It is a passion for them and they will take the animals back before letting anything bad happen to them.

Valerie... I don't think the people who posted about adopting animals missed the point, they were probably just trying to point out that there are thousands of animals at the shelters that need homes. Much like the way you used this forum to speak out about your experience with the Friends of Cats, all but 2 sentences were used to get your point across.

I adopted a dog (about 99 dollars, then money to fix him) and even though he had all his shots he was coughing and had stuff in his nose a few days later. But he is better now, and it was worth the money. We saved his life, he is a wonderful dog, and that is what matters to me.

I think that anyone who is looking for an animal should look at all the options and the pros and cons of each. So thanks to Bob who posted his experience with the pet store. Hopefully many people will see your problem with Petland, along with all this information about reputable breeders and shelters. They should be able to make a wise decision that works for them.

I personally choose to adopt animals, and I like mutts. But everyone should be able to get the type of animal they want, that has been well taken care of.

Again good job Bob for putting your (new) pets life ahead of money.

Dave,

In all likelyhood, your puppy came from a commercial USDA breeder, not from a private breeder. The only thing that these breeders do is mass produce puppies that are then sold to a broker, like Hunte Corp, and then farmed out to different pet stores around the country. What exactly do you think a puppy mill is?

You make all those assumptions about reputable breeders when you haven't got a clue about them because all you've ever dealt with is a pet store.

1) Puppies from reputable breeders don't go to their new homes sick. They are not exposed to the same bugs that pet store puppies are. Kennel cough is not a "cold" that they get from stress, it's a contagious bacterial infection. However, a reputable breeder will supply a warranty against hereditary diseases inherent to the breed - the pet store doesn't. Most reputable breeders don't require you to use THEIR vet, you use your own. Most reputable breeders don't require you to return the puppy in order to get a replacement or a refund, pet stores do. BUT, if you ever get into a situation where you can no longer keep your puppy/adult dog, a reputable breeder will take it back, regardless. A petstore would NEVER do that.

2) Reputable breeders will give you everything you need to take care of your puppy for the first few weeks that it comes home with you - for FREE. This usually includes a supply of the same food the puppy was eating, a small toy that was placed in the whelping box and carries the scent of the mother/siblings. This helps to comfort the pup in its new home. They also include care instructions, a puppy pack with the correct paperwork, information on the parents of the litter, and contact information for the breeder. Those essential items that Petland provided you with - you paid for them in the price of your puppy, they weren't free.

3) You're right when you say a breeder will only tell you about the breed they specialize in. That's because it's a passion for them, not a profession. They know more about that particular breed than any pet store employee will ever know. If you go into a petstore not knowing what type of dog you want, that's YOUR fault. You should have researched ahead of time and found several breeds that fit your lifestyle instead of relying on someone who has only a very basic knowledge of the breeds the store carries. I once listened to a pet store employee recommend a Jack Russell terrier for an elderly lady who wanted a LAP dog. Jacks are not lap dogs by any stretch of the imagination and he was just setting that puppy up to end up in a shelter or rescue. BTW, a reputable breeder will talk you out of their own breed if they feel it isn't right for you. Most reputable breeders have questionaires that ask you about your plans for the pup, your housing arrangement, etc, and will turn you down if you don't meet their qualifications. Petsland wouldn't turn down your money, period.

4)Your "free" spay/neuter was also paid for in the price of your puppy. There's nothing free about it.

5) Your comments about hereditary diseases are WAY off base. A puppy that comes from lines where the breeder does the recommended clearances is MUCH less likely to have those diseases. It has been proven that health testing reduces the number of affected dogs in the population. The pups from Petsland come from parents who don't have clearances. Take a simple recessive cataract as an example. If a dog with recessive cataracts is bred to another dog with recessive cataracts, their pups will have cataracts. A reputable breeder would have tested and taken those dogs out of the breeding program. A commercial breeder wouldn't. A commercial breeder wouldn't even KNOW the dogs had cataracts. So, which puppies are healthier again?

You know why people go to a petstore to buy a pup? Because they want it NOW - they don't want to have to wait for a puppy from a reputable breeder. They don't want to have to do their homework about a specific breed or go through the breeders screening process. They don't care about where the pup came from, they don't care about it's family history, or what it was originally bred for. That's how they end up with a pup that doesn't fit their lifestyle and that's how a large portion of those pups end up in shelters or rescues.

This was 11 years ago but our cat that we still have we got at Petland in July 2005.

Within 48 hours of getting her she had a very high fever no eating etc. She had an upper respiratory infection.

Got 2 cats from a shelter after that, they did not get sick when coming home.

Dave,

Have you ever actually visited a "reputable breeder?" I think not. I bought my Golden Retriever from a breeder, and yes, all they really knew about was Goldens, but guess why? Because THAT IS ALL THEY BREED! I got tons of useful information about my wonderful dog and she's been healthy since day one. She's never had kennel cough, just some common things that all dogs get from time to time.

The fact is, breeders know more about dogs than these puppymill haven pet stores like Petland. Do a search on any search engine about puppymills and pet stores. Most if not all pet stores, especially the ones in Malls, get their animals from mills. IT'S A FACT.

Since you have never been to a breeder, I suggest you go visit one. If they are a "reputable breeder", they will have very strict guidelines for those they sell their pups too. Also, at a breeder, you can see your pups litter mates and their parents. Can you do that at a mall pet store? I think not.

Before you badmouth the good people like breeders and shelters, I suggest you do your homework first.

To the OP, I really hope your pup turns out OK. Most people don't realize the horrible conditions at pet stores, but once they bring their pup home, they don't want to return it. Best wishes to you and your pup.

I have to say I disagree with just about everything I've read on here thus far. I personally bought my own two dogs from a Petland store and they were nothing but nice and caring when it came to the well being of my puppies. One of my dogs have a short period of kennel cough and they covered all the vet bills and medications.


If I got my dog from some "reputable breeder" everyone talks so highly of and my dog got sick, would they cover my vet bills? I think not. They gave me the crate and just about everything I needed to take care of the puppy properly. Does a "reputable breeder" give me all of that stuff? I think not. They gave me the knowledge and training to know about the breeds I bought and to train them properly throughout their lives. Would a "reputable breeder" do that for me? I think not. To me the most important thing is to make sure I and others have the best dog that suits them. If one of these "reputable breeders" has a Golden Retriever for sale, the only breed they know about and that they will try to sell you is a Golden Retriever. How is that beneficial for most people. Most of these breeders don't care what your living situation is.

Petland took the time to talk me out of certain breeds that weren't a good fit for me. Some breeders will send their puppies spayed or neutered, which is good, and Petland also gave me a free spay or neuter for my puppies. They gave me the choice to do it myself, but they also recommended that I get it done, because of the "backyard" breeding problem. Everyone thinks that a petstore automatically gets their dogs from a "puppy mill." I wouldn't have bought my dogs from this store if I thought that were the case. A puppy mill would have ill bred, sick dogs, that don't fit the breed descriptions.

Just because my dog came down with kennel cough does not mean he was ill bred or came from a puppy mill. It means he was a little stressed out from me taking him into my home and he got a cold. It happens! These are live animals yes, and live things can get sick. If my child were in a daycare and one of the kids there had a cold do you think he might get it, I think so. Does that mean we should sue the daycare and make them pay my doctor bills? I think not. If one of your children had allergies, or diabetes, should we not allow them to have children, or stop their parents from having children? I think not. All live things are at risk to get sick and all live things have a certain risk of getting a congenital or hereditary problem. The dogs from Petland have no greater percentage of dogs with hereditary problems then those from the "reputable breeders," and I would put money on that. About three percent of all puppies will have some sort of hereditary problem in their lives. That is a fact! Why don't we educate ourselves, and make the ignorance go away. Don't slander a certain petstore because their dog got kennel cough, it happens. I would and have recommended this and other Petlands to my friends and family. I think they treated me like gold, and I will continue to support them.

I was told by the Pet Store they get their dogs from the best of breeders.

Where di my dog come from a Broker the Pet store deals with,who uys the dogs fro practically nothing and from Puppymills.

Puppymills are all over,in Mo,Pa(the Amish are big into Puppymills),Oregon and Kansas.

Look up Prisoners of Greed.com it will make you sick.You will never want to buy a dog from a petstore or buy anything from one that sells dogs.

If you do and feel sorry for that puppy in the cages,remember you are just fudning the industr and keeping the misery going.

Only by not buying can you put them out of business.

You will get a much healthier dog and probably a ot cheaper if you go to a reputable breeder,not a back yard breeder/someone who knows nothing about dogs but has dogs and just brteeds then for money and churns out puppies just like puppymills,every time the female comes into her cycle.

The dogs in Puppymills never get out of theeir small wire cages are fed inferior food and get hardly get any Vet care if any at all.
Many die at young ages due to horrendous lack of care.

They are truly Prisoners of Greed.

Amber,
Did any red flags go up for you when you found out your dog had kennell cough? Did you think you were buying a healthy dog? If not, why not.
I hear you say you are against some puppy mill ways, which ones are okay with you? Also, do you realize that because you purchased your dog from a puppy mill you are contributing to that murderous business? You are helping to create a demand.
I am in total defense to those of you who got conned into buying a puppy from a puppy store. I did not know they were purchased from puppy mills and the fact is that most of us do not. We learn the hard way at least emotionally and monetarily. It's not bad enough we were lied to but we fall in love with these sweet creatures and they usually get sick and in my case die. I personally don't know how Petland employees can sleep at night. There is absolutely no integrity, honesty or just doing the next right thing. I guess you can sleep when you don't have a conscience, and they don't have that either. They are just murderers.

Amber,
Did any red flags go up for you when you found out your dog had kennell cough? Did you think you were buying a healthy dog? If not, why not.
I hear you say you are against some puppy mill ways, which ones are okay with you? Also, do you realize that because you purchased your dog from a puppy mill you are contributing to that murderous business? You are helping to create a demand.
I am in total defense to those of you who got conned into buying a puppy from a puppy store. I did not know they were purchased from puppy mills and the fact is that most of us do not. We learn the hard way at least emotionally and monetarily. It's not bad enough we were lied to but we fall in love with these sweet creatures and they usually get sick and in my case die. I personally don't know how Petland employees can sleep at night. There is absolutely no integrity, honesty or just doing the next right thing. I guess you can sleep when you don't have a conscience, and they don't have that either. They are just murderers.

Amber,
Did any red flags go up for you when you found out your dog had kennell cough? Did you think you were buying a healthy dog? If not, why not.
I hear you say you are against some puppy mill ways, which ones are okay with you? Also, do you realize that because you purchased your dog from a puppy mill you are contributing to that murderous business? You are helping to create a demand.
I am in total defense to those of you who got conned into buying a puppy from a puppy store. I did not know they were purchased from puppy mills and the fact is that most of us do not. We learn the hard way at least emotionally and monetarily. It's not bad enough we were lied to but we fall in love with these sweet creatures and they usually get sick and in my case die. I personally don't know how Petland employees can sleep at night. There is absolutely no integrity, honesty or just doing the next right thing. I guess you can sleep when you don't have a conscience, and they don't have that either. They are just murderers.

Amber,
Did any red flags go up for you when you found out your dog had kennell cough? Did you think you were buying a healthy dog? If not, why not.
I hear you say you are against some puppy mill ways, which ones are okay with you? Also, do you realize that because you purchased your dog from a puppy mill you are contributing to that murderous business? You are helping to create a demand.
I am in total defense to those of you who got conned into buying a puppy from a puppy store. I did not know they were purchased from puppy mills and the fact is that most of us do not. We learn the hard way at least emotionally and monetarily. It's not bad enough we were lied to but we fall in love with these sweet creatures and they usually get sick and in my case die. I personally don't know how Petland employees can sleep at night. There is absolutely no integrity, honesty or just doing the next right thing. I guess you can sleep when you don't have a conscience, and they don't have that either. They are just murderers.

I bought a Min Pin at Petland 5 years ago, and I will say I was treated not so well by the one employee there and when I played with my Pookie they told me she had a ball that was her favorite toy and she played with it very well, but they would not give me the toy. Told me that I could buy one for a $1. That's not that big of a deal, but they said their policy was that I should take her to the vet of my choice, have them check her out and if there was any problems with her, they would refund me my money. They gave me papers to take with me to the vet.

The vet said she had kennel cough and her ears weren't cropped correctly, and he was a bit surprised they cropped her ears so young, but other than that, she was perfect.

Now, that I am a bit older, I don't agree with the "mills" and some of their ways, meaning Petland but I do have to say this on Petland's behalf, that if it wasn't for Petland, I would not have my dog who I love more than anything. So if anything I did get a great dog out of Petland.

I see that most people who have responded to you are a little upset that you bought a pet from a store. Point missed entirely, as you were not given due respect as a pet owner, regardless of where you chose to select your pet.
I will tell you first hand that shelters are a really good thing, but not all of them are what they are cracked up to be. I worked for FRIENDS OF CATS for three years, and believe me, there are pets adopted out of there who have terrible things like distemper, and bad URI's, ringworm, you name it. I am not saying they do this on purpose or knowingly, I am just saying that just because you adopt out of a shelter as opposed to a store, does not guarantee you a clean bill of health on your pet.
I feel for your situation, and i hope all is okay now. I have filed a report against FRIENDS OF CATS..a non-profit organization thats mission statement is to take in homeless and ababdoned cats. If anyone would like to read this report and see how corrupt some shelters can be, please do, and give me your feedback. THANKS..and..PETS RULE!! They are such precious creatures, and sometimes it sucks that people with such heartless ways and ultimate disregard are in charge of places like these...just a d**n crying shame....
type in "Friends of Cats" to view what I have to say about a supposed great non=profit organization...they are more corrupt than anyone would ever expect from such a place that is supposed to be sacred and was started back in 1927, the wrong people are in charge of this organization...and now all it consists of is..GREED

Lady from New York,
I dont think my vet misdiagoned my dog. The infection was caught but it wasn't caught fast enough. I am not going to sit here and let you attack me because I got a sick dog. I was just letting people know what I went through. I believe this dog would have died if I didn't buy him. He is doing well now. He didn't appear to be sick at the pet store or I wouldn't have bought him. Please take your bad vibes out of here, this isn't a place to attack me or anyone else who had bad luck.

I would like to suggest: I am assuming that the green slime was not evident upon purchase or the buyer would not have bought the animal? If so they would have been crazy.

Now when the animal was taken to the vet with horrible green slim and a bad cough it should have been caught right away that it had aserious chest infection due to kennel cough as there is no such thing as a common cold in an animal.

From the sounds of it if the animal had been diagnosed properly by the new ownwers vet in the first place, he would have been felling better in the 16 hour laps instead of felling worse.

It sounds to me like the new owners vet made a misdiagnosis and was the cause of all this trouble. I am sure the animal may have been sick when they purchased it, but if it was sick enough for the store to see then the buyer should not have purchased it in the first place and just noted to the store that the animal was sick.

People like to make a fuss over things they cannot fix in an instant. I say please be more aware next time.

I'm sorry that you had to go through so much to get your dog well. This situation is a prime example of why you should NEVER buy any live animal from a pet store. They dont get their animals from reputable breeders and no reputable breeder would sell their pups to a pet store. I'm sorry to say, but your dog probably came from a backyard breeder or puppy mill and the poor things were probably kept in deplorable conditions. Tell everyone you know about this and make sure they tell everyone they know. The only way to stop the puppy mills is to educate people on where these pet store animals come from and tell them NOT to buy dogs from these stores.

And you are right - pet stored DONT care what they sell you. They, and the breeders the animals came from, care only about money.

You have to understand that Petland is a for profit business. They buy from "mills". If there is some spoilage or loss along the way, that's part of the cost of doing business. What I can't understand is why in the world people don't go to the Humane Society or animal shelters and adopt a pet. Visited the Humane Society of SA not too long ago and they had hundreds of wonderful dogs, cats, pups and kittens. I think it was $50 to $75 to adopt one with full shots and fixed or cert. to be done at age. There were dozens of volunteers at the shelter, watching everyone and everything like hawks. I understand there is a long waiting list TO VOLUNTEER. Every year, the city put down like 100,000 animals. Buying from pet stores makes about as much sense as the stupid .itch who paid $50,000 to have her pet cloned. She could have adopted one for $50 and donated the other $49,950 to an animal shelter of her choice.