Before you Buy a Dog from a Pet Store

Too many pet stores use "puppy-mill" puppies, and this usually results in an unhappy and unhealthy (for the dog) situation. Puppy mills breed quantity, not quality, and they do it under terrible conditions.

For your own sake always buy a dog from an established breeder, or rescue one from a rescue agency, pound or shelter. You'll be much happier, and you'll help stop the spread of puppy mills.

If you must go to a pet shop there are questions you can ask to determine where the dog came form:

• Can I see both parents of the puppies?
• Are the puppies tested for hearing?
• Have the parents been CERF tested? (The clerks won't know what that is..then ask if the parents have had their hips tested, or elbows.)
• Ask if any parents have been BAER tested, or their eyes cleared.
• What kind of health guarantee is offered?
• Is there a spay and nueter contract?
• Are the buyers screened at all, or is there any kind of home check?
• Are references needed?
• What vaccinations have the puppies had?

Evasive or "I don't know" answers usually indicate the puppy came from a puppy mill -- don't buy it. You stand a better than 50/50 chance of getting a dog that will grow up with health and/or temperment issues.

And, you will be encouraging the puppy mill owners to continue their inhumane practices.

E-mail us and we can put you in contact with breeders and rescue agencies.

Read Tank's story. A puppy mill dog rescued.

Also read the PetMd article about Puppy Mills at Puppy Mills and the Mass Production of Pedigree Pets

Written by Ron Lueth, Pet Guardian Angels of America This work may be shared through the Creative Common License only if attributed to Pet Guardian Angels of America at http://www.pgaa.com

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