SAR Kennels Alleged Puppy Mill Luling Texas
On the last weekend in June, 2008, SAR kennels sold me a sick, parasite infested dog which they claimed was in good health. I purchased the dog for $225. The seller indicated that the dog was in good health and to contact the owner if there were any problems. The seller stated that the owner was "really good" about working with folks if anything was wrong with the dogs.
Immediately after purchasing the puppy, it expelled diarrhea in the parking lot. At the time I did not believe the seller to be deceptive and simply thought the diarrhea was from puppy anxiety. Prior to taking the puppy home, I also noticed a considerable rash on its belly. Upon taking the puppy home, I observed the puppy's stool continued to remain loose and discolored which indicated that the diarrhea was more than just puppy nerves.
On the following Monday, I contacted the Animal Hospital for an exam. They scheduled the exam for the next day as the earliest they could do the exam. The exam revealed that the dog was sick and required treatment. The puppy had an intestinal disease at the time of purchase. The dog required treatment and additional follow-up. The dog also had a foul odor to the face that was noticeable prior to me taking the dog home, which turned out to be an ear infection that had gone untreated. The rash turned out to be from probable ant -bites which fortunately were minor, but adding the pieces together, it is apparent that this dog was not taken care of and not in good health at time of purchase.
I contacted the phone-number provided on the receipt per the seller's instructions. The person who answered identified herself as Sandy. I informed Sandy that the dog I purchased was sick at the time of purchase. Sandy immediately became agitated and responded tersely, ''What do you want me to do?'' Apparently this was a rhetorical question because she hung up on me when I attempted to discuss this with her.
Throughout the brief conversation, I was very polite, even-toned and professional. Sandy was rude and unwilling to listen to my concerns and refused to even acknowledge the possibility of working with me on this concern. This puppy was purchased in good faith that it would be in good health just as the seller said. The puppy's illness was not preventable by the buyer (me) because it had the condition at time of purchase.
It appears that the seller has so far been able to successfully navigate around laws that attempt to build minimal care standards for alleged puppy-mills. I am not aware of whether walker abides by USDA licensing requirements or avoids them by selling directly to consumers. Of course, with lack of USDA inspectors and minimal fines, it probably doesn't matter anyway.
The website provided by the seller appears to depict a family oriented establishment which appears to me to be misleading. A reputable agency would have at the very least taken the time to hear a consumer' concerns and would show some grain of empathy and concern for the dog's health. The rigidness of walker's response gives the strong appearance that SAR kennels is not a credible agency.
I would have been more than willing to go in half on the medicine that the dog should have received prior to me purchasing it. I had hoped that walker would have presented herself and this agency in a more professional manner but walker chose otherwise. I certainly would not have agreed to purchase this dog if I had known it was sick and I certainly don't appreciate being treated so shabbily on the phone when I conducted myself in a professional, even-toned manner. I still believe this could have easily been worked out over the phone if I would have just been given the chance.
The dog was sick on the day of purchase. If it was well and got sick later and developed an ear infection later, this would not be an issue to me. My main concern is that this doesn't happen to other customers. This can be avoided by telling the potential buyer if the dog is sick as this dog clearly was.
This way, the potential buyer can make an informed decision. And if things slip through the cracks and a customer does call with concerns, treat the customer with respect on the phone. Situations like this can be easily mitigated if the seller's concerns are the welfare of the puppy and keeping a happy customer, and not just making a fast buck.
I contacted the BBB and attempted to work through this issue but as soon as the BBB stopped their involvement, the seller stopped her dialogue.
Steve
APO, 09180
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Me
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
On the other hand
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, January 15, 2009
I have purchased several 'over-priced' pets and have not regretted it one bit either. Nor do I think they were overpriced, considering they are priceless to ME. It is up to each of us to decide what is best for us, our family's, and especially the animal. There would also be the concern personally for me, that, generally, the rescues and shelters by no means are required to follow the same rules and regulations as other avenues.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
GO THE ANIMAL SHELTERS OR BREED SPECIFIC RESCUES -
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 13, 2009
STOP PAYING FOR OVER-PRICED PETS!
You will find the most loving loyal pets at an animal shelter or breed specific rescue. They desperately need homes and loving families. Particularly now when due to the FINANCIAL CRISIS we are in - families have had to give up their pets because they lost their homes and were not able to bring them with you.
Over the years I have rescued 7 cats and 1 dog and have not regretted it one bit!
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
GO THE ANIMAL SHELTERS OR BREED SPECIFIC RESCUES -
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 13, 2009
STOP PAYING FOR OVER-PRICED PETS!
You will find the most loving loyal pets at an animal shelter or breed specific rescue. They desperately need homes and loving families. Particularly now when due to the FINANCIAL CRISIS we are in - families have had to give up their pets because they lost their homes and were not able to bring them with you.
Over the years I have rescued 7 cats and 1 dog and have not regretted it one bit!
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
GO THE ANIMAL SHELTERS OR BREED SPECIFIC RESCUES -
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 13, 2009
STOP PAYING FOR OVER-PRICED PETS!
You will find the most loving loyal pets at an animal shelter or breed specific rescue. They desperately need homes and loving families. Particularly now when due to the FINANCIAL CRISIS we are in - families have had to give up their pets because they lost their homes and were not able to bring them with you.
Over the years I have rescued 7 cats and 1 dog and have not regretted it one bit!
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
GO THE ANIMAL SHELTERS OR BREED SPECIFIC RESCUES -
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 13, 2009
STOP PAYING FOR OVER-PRICED PETS!
You will find the most loving loyal pets at an animal shelter or breed specific rescue. They desperately need homes and loving families. Particularly now when due to the FINANCIAL CRISIS we are in - families have had to give up their pets because they lost their homes and were not able to bring them with you.
Over the years I have rescued 7 cats and 1 dog and have not regretted it one bit!
Me
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Both parties make good points ........
#10Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2009
LOL, Joe, I adore you, and I also make rebuttals with a very fuzzy head after reading hours of these complaints :-). It seems to me the OP did in fact see the puppy and it's paperwork before making the decision to buy it. If I did make the decision to have a puppy shipped to me, I would make sure I had every little bit of documentation I needed (emails stating any changes in the agreement as pertaining to the contract, contract, shot records, parent info, copy of original ad or website, registry information, ect. ect.) and especially pictures that update the growth and development so that if there was a problem, I could prove my case. All of this can also be faxed or emailed, so people who must find other avenues other than personal pick up to aquire the puppy can certainly be made aware of what they are getting into. $225 (unless this is an older mutt, or VERY low quality, like a 15 pound chihuahua who's ears are down, this would be a red flag to me)? If that was all that was wrong, I would consider myself VERY lucky.What breed and what circumstances? Some vets will also determine ear infection by the dirt and debris in the ear. My golden has never had an ear infection, but I can get loads of crap out of her ears on a daily basis, lol. I help out my freind in her grooming facility, we take steps before and after bathing to prevent ear infections, and we actually do a very thorough cleaning of the ears, we also keep an eye out so that we can inform the customer, now, several times it has happened where we tell the customer the pet has an ear inf., but because we have cleaned the ears so well, their vet says they do NOT have one, LOL. Only to realize later that they do. We now have to explain to these people to make sure to tell their vet that we cleaned the ears really well, so a cursory inspection is not going to do the trick. Heavy ears do seem to facilitate ear inf. as do allergies, and not using a drying agent when bathing. Also, the breeder has explained coccidia pretty well. A dog does not have to be exposed to it through another animal. It is very common, especially in puppies. It DOES need to be treated, or can become a serious issue. If the animal did indeed show signs in the parking lot at the time of purchase, it is also clear the puppy did almost surely have it at the time of purchase, and the SELLER either missed it, or failed to treat it. Or, it was under treatment, and the fact that the medication(s) are on the records has been overlooked (these medications are given as preventative measures very commonly as well, so that's a tough call). I am wondering if everyone would be happy here if the breeder simply offered an amount similar to what she pays for the medication for the coccidia? It is likely to be very different from what the OP paid, but it is something. Also, why is the seller not involved in this? It is them who the dog was purchased from. I believe it is the person from whom the dog was actually purchased that is supposed to be responsible for those things actually covered under state lemon laws? This whole thing is VERY confusing.
Joe
Austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
DO NOT BUY A PUPPY YOU CAN'T INSPECT PERSONALLY!
#10Consumer Comment
Mon, January 12, 2009
Luling has an excellent animal shelter where I have gotten some wonderful pets so why do you have to order some puppy from out of state where the postage and shipping add to the cost not to mention the trauma and stress the fog gests when it is shipped.
You wouldn't subject a baby human to this so why subject a baby dog to this?
You need to BE THERE TO CHECK OUT THE FACILITIES WHERE THE PUP WAS BRED, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT THE PARENTS, CHECK THE VET RECORDS, SELECT THE PUPPY THAT YOU WANT, OR RATHER THE ONE WHO WANTS YOU! AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON THE INTERNET--YOU HAVE TO BE THERE IN PERSON.
IT IS JUST TOO EASY FOR SOME BREEDER TO GET RID OF THEIR SICK, UNWANTED, BADLY BRED, GENETIC MUTATED MISTAKES ONTO SOMEBODY WHO BUYS IT AND DOESN'T CARE ENOUGH TO COME INSPECT AND MAKE SURE THAT HE OR SHE ISN'T GETTING JUNK!
SO THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT FOR NOT BEING A MORE CARING,DISCERNING PET OWNER!
Sar
Luling,Texas,
U.S.A.
SAR kennels Luling Texas family owned and operated
#10UPDATE Employee
Fri, January 09, 2009
We have had our kennel for a long time and we are family owned and operated by my mom, me and my family, and my aunt. We devote our lives to these dogs 24/7. Yes I did take your call on our cell phone. I may have seemed agitated, but my mom was in the living room of my house and could hear you yelling at me all the way in there, so forgive me. No one likes to be yelled at. I did ask you what you wanted me to do so that we could resolve something, but you never answered me. My phone lost service, but your number was blocked and did not show up on my phone, therefore I was unable to return the call. I figured if there was an issue, you would have called back. I never heard from you again untill the BBB contacted us and after some communication they made the decision to close the case. You stated to the BBB the intestinal disease was coccidiosis. Please research that, it is extremely common and can be brought on by small stresses. I tried explaining that to you, but you would not listen. Most customers will call us if diarrhea appears and we can get them medicine so they don't have to pay such high prices to the vet right away.
This article was actually brought to my attention through a customer who has purchased one puppy from us and is still buying another puppy from us. This article did not affect his decision at all, he has already dealt with us and has had no problem. He has other dogs and knows about coccidia and understands it. He also expressed that fighting ear problems in dogs with large heavy ears is an ongoing battle. It does not meen that we "neglect" or "abuse" our puppies!
Cat
Hendersonville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Steve
#10Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 08, 2008
I am confused,so bear with me ok? I've purchased several AKC registered Collies over the years so I do not understand a couple of things. You stated the "seller" said the owner............so who you bought from was not the owner?
I am either missing something because every puppy I bought from was from a small home with both the mother and father of my pups were on the site where I bought from. I saw with my own two eyes that the puppies were healthy and also the parents of the pups were healthy. I met and talked with the owners of the dogs and puppies and walked around the home, so that I knew I was not dealing with a puppymill. So, the person who sold you the puppy was that not the owner of the pup you bought?
If not, who did you buy from then? Did you recieve a shot record of this puppy? Did you sign a contract stating the puppy was "as is" or was there no contract at all? Please let us know .........puppymills need to be shut down, but you are leaving out some key details to this complaint.
Thanks,
Cat