Complaint Review: Itsy Puppy - Internet

My girlfriend and I wanted a micro Pomeranian, so after looking online at various breeders I contacted Itsy Puppy in late October.  I somehow felt comfortable about them being in California (as I am), and largely their reviews were good (though there were a couple problematic ones, I gave them the benefit of the doubt).  Rachel was kind and communicative as we chose our puppy, and paid half the $5,500 as a deposit.  We made arrangements for her to deliver the puppy to my home in Beverly Hills shortly before Thanksgiving.   On November 22 (a Saturday), Rachel delivered the puppy which my girlfriend named “Pebbles.”  She was adorable.  I paid the balance remaining to Rachel.  Interestingly, Rachel was not able to give me any veterinary records, just basically told me that she had gotten her shots and “passed.”  She had also told me (by email) that Pebbles weighed 1.67 pounds just 5 days earlier, on the 17^th.

We took care of Pebbles exactly as instructed, feeding her the recommended Royal Canin X-Small dog food, etc.  We had made an appointment with the vet in advance for that Monday, the 24^th.  Unfortunately, Pebbles wasn’t pooping and her abdomen was fairly distended all weekend, so we couldn’t bring a stool specimen to the vet.  Pebbles weighed in at 2.2 pounds that day, and her stomach was markedly distended.

The next day we dropped off a fecal sample, and she tested positive for two gastrointestinal infections, Giardia and Coccidia.  These are infections puppies can get from ingesting feces from other dogs.  We live in a clean home without any other pets, and it is clear she came to us already infected.  The next day, Wednesday, we took her to the vet to get two medications for these infections.  That afternoon, while feeding her, my girlfriend noticed Pebbles start to foam at the mouth and stop breathing.  She yelled for my help.  I’m a surgeon (not a vet).  I swept Pebble’s mouth to clear it of any food, tried a version of the Heimlich maneuver, then began CPR as we rushed her to the car.  I drove to the hospital as my girlfriend continued CPR but Pebbles died in her arms, and Pebbles was pronounced dead at Beverly Hills Small Animal Hospital about 10 minutes later.  It was heartbreaking for us to have her for only four days and for this to happen.  We’re not sure if she choked, or had a seizure.  But she died.

We contacted Rachel and told her what happened… and that Pebbles was not fully healthy when delivered, she had an obvious gastrointestinal problem, was “backed up,” (to the point of weighing over half a pound more within days), and had two documented GI infections that pre-existed prior to her delivery.  Our contract with Rachel stated that the puppy to the best of her knowledge and effort is in good health and free of communicable diseases at the time of sale.  I can only imagine that if in fact Pebbles saw a vet prior to delivery to us, they did not test for these infections.  I can also imagine that many of the puppies that Rachel is selling may well be infected with these same organisms.

We asked for Rachel to replace the puppy, and she offered to replace her for $1,500 (for stud breeder fees).  She acknowledged this was a lot of money in light of us having already paid $5,500 (plus lots of vet and animal hospital bills), and she said she would see what she could do to reduce it.  After weeks of hearing nothing, I emailed her and she responded that she could replace Pebbles for $3,000.  I told her this was not acceptable, and at this point I wanted my money back.  Rachel then had the incredible nerve to imply that Pebble’s death was somehow related to my care of her… and that she was fed in a way not recommended (completely untrue). 

The day after we got her (the morning of our visit to the vet), Pebbles had jumped into my pool under the watchful eye of my surprised girlfriend, who immediately scooped her out within seconds.  Pebbles never submerged and was fine from that incident.  Rachel had the nerve in her final email to also imply that Pebbles was “dropped into the pool.”  She has NO IDEA how much Pebbles was loved and how well taken care of she was.   Rachel’s final comment was the insulting “we [are] no longer comfortable with placing one of our loved ones under your care after much thought and consideration of what has happened to Pebbles.”

Maybe Rachel should give some thought and consideration into her breeding practices and the cleanliness of her kennels.  Sanitation is obviously not a high priority for her.  Sounds to me like Itsy Puppy is a breeding ground for protozoa and parasites, and Rachel runs a true puppy mill.  I am truly suspect of what if any veterinary testing is done on their puppies.  No wonder when I first called back in October and wanted to visit to see what puppies were available I was told “sorry, we don’t allow on-site visits.”

I can only recommend that anyone looking for puppies avoid Itsy Puppy like the plague.  When money is involved, Rachel’s true colors came out loud and clear.  She could care less about her dogs, their health, and what happens to them.  She has incredibly little compassion, and once again my faith in people “doing the right thing” withers.