Whilst purusing through Stratford Square mall tonight (a very rare occasion) I noticed a puppy store. What the hay? I mean, aren't those things a thing of the past? I was actually appalled. In a mall??
( I was appalled about the puppies-not that it was in a mall)

Wow - you're right.

furrybabiesinc.com...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

6 locations! This is horrible.

At least that Petland in Wheaton finally started working with shelter cats for adoption - but they still sell puppies. Although, at least the puppies look a heck of a lot healthier than they did under the old management, the last time I stopped in there. I called the Wheaton cops on Petland, as did, from what I understand, several other people, a couple of years back. That's one way to blow the whistle on puppy mills.

Did the Stratford location look at least decent healthwise? If not, I'd be happy to go out there and then call the police from there. In DuPage, as I undertand it, Animal Care takes care of the unincorporated areas; otherwise it's the local police.

And, I have to admit, I rather liked the law, IIRC, in a California town, I heard about this morning - that commercial pet stores could only work with shelters re cats and dogs - I suppose like Petco and Petsmart.

Otherwise, it's an educational effort - to get people to understand about backyard breeders and puppy and kitten mills, and to encourage adoption, or, at the very least, thorough examination of the breeders before thinking of purchasing. Heck, I just learned that the Amish are not exactly as saintly as I would have thought, at least in regard to the pet 'industry'.

Yes, dogs are livestock to the Amish and they are puppy mills. A reputable breeder will not sell to a puppy store. If you buy from a store you are getting a puppy mill dog. Reputable breeders go to great lengths to make sure the home their puppies go to are good and not a puppy mill breeder.

I didn't walk in. I was on the other side of the railing. Had no intention of going in. I doubt I'll never shop there again until the mall gets rid of that store. Heck, I may not spend any money in Bloomingdale (not that I do now) until the store is gone. I was going to send a comment/letter to Stratford, as well as Bloomingdale for having this kind of store.

My experience with breeders is similar to Shore's explanation. There are some unreputable ones who don't care, but most of them are very good at determining good, healthy homes for their animals....some even do background checks!

That puppy store doesn't look UNhealthy....the ones I saw in there just looked sad and depressed, physically they seemed fine.

This topic was briefly discussed in another thread.

The primary problem with puppy mills is that they over-breed the females. They have their first litter at too young an age, and then continue breeding them as often as possible until they die. Does not make for healthy pups.

“Real” breeders wait before having the first litter (in the case of our breed, at least two years) and limit the number of litters (in our case, two).

Any good breeder will demand all sorts of checks of the new home, including, often, a site visit to the house and a reference letter from your vet. Heck, most of the shelters do a reasonable amount of screening. DuPage Animal Care required my condo bylaws (to check if pets were allowed) and I had to have a vet lined up before I took my adult kitties home. I know a lot of the dog rescue groups will definitely visit the home before allowing one of their dogs to go there.

That's right, Ted. Two years is the earliest a bitch should be bred. Also depending on the breed, various health testing is done on both the bitch and dog. Hips, elbows and eyes just to name a few. There are more and more detectable genetic disorders that can be tested for prior to breeding. A good breeder is trying to improve the breed not just have puppies.

Darl, when I adopted my cat from Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin I had to complete a 5 page questionnaire. They also did reference checks and (I believe, IIR) a background check. I, too had to have a vet lined up (the offered suggestions if I didn't have one) with an initial follow-up already scheduled for a few months out from the adoption date. The shelter even covered the cost of that with one month of free animal insurance coverage.

I intend on going back there when I move into a house to adopt some dogs as well.