Where'd You Get Your Dog?
Whenever I'm out with my dog, usually the third question I'm asked, after "what's his name?" (though I'm never asked for my name) and "what kind of dog is he?" is "where did you get him?" My answer is that I got him at a pet store. Usually this is followed by some type of surprised look, or simply "oh really." I suddenly become the biggest dirtbag in the world to some of these people.
Now I know pet store purchases are a controversial topic, and having a blog that advocates responsible ownership means I should be adopting a pet, but I'll say this - purchasing from a pet store is like any other major purchase...you need to do your homework.
We purchased our puppy from a store, but only after doing considerable research, asking the store for references of others who have purchased from there, and asking around to other pet owners for their feedback.
We also took regular visits to the store to see their puppies. The dogs at this store were always alert and awake. They were playful and, well, puppy like. The puppies also played in pens together, separated by size, rather then being individually crated. The pens were very clean, as were the dogs. The puppies were well documented, with information from the breeder should we wish to contact them to find more info about the parents of the pups.
Now I know in general pet stores have a bad rap. And I understand why. I've visited other stores and didn't get the same feeling as I had in this one. In fact, going to some of the local malls, it seemed as though some of their dogs were drugged...the dogs were very sluggish and did not act like you'd expect a dog to act when seeing new faces. The mall dogs were dirty, the place smelled, and some dogs were in crates way too small.
This is the problem with pet stores, there are too many who don't care about their animals, and are just looking for the profit. The one diamond in the rough that does show they care about the animals get lumped in together and get a bad reputation. That is why we made sure to do our research. The last thing we wanted was a dog with health problems and social issues from not being treated properly and not being with other dogs.
The store where we purchased from actually called us to make sure everything was OK and to see if we had any questions. Talk about customer service! I just wish more pet stores could be like this.
12 comments:
good post, Matt. Pet stores have been unfairly singled out and a lot of it has been due to the kind of animal activists who don't want any of us to have pets.
I think it's sad that so many pet stores have given in to them and no longer offer puppies and kittens.
Hey, What was the name of the pet store you bought your puppy at? Also, do they sell major league baseball uniforms for pets there?
Many pet stores take wonderful care of their animals....the problem is not the pet stores it is the people who purchase a pet then deceide that they don't want their pet any more. That is why so many end up in shelters and why there are rescue groups for every breed. People need to do their research and find out what is the best breed for them and their family. Again, if you get your pet from a shelter or a pet store it is still YOUR responsiblity for the rest of his/her life.
A reputable pet store will obtain their animals from a reputable breeder. It's the breeders that need to be regulated and documented.
Your dog looks EXTREMELY cute, but he would have to stay away from me because I am VERY allergic!
I still prefer the old way of buying a dog from a breeder.
You can then use your intuition to get a good idea of how the puppy has been treated and looked after.
Alot of pet shops are fine, I just think this way is better.
Thats my opinion. :-)
Just like anything else, a few bad ones overshadow the ones that are responsible.
Those dogs in the mall near me always look sooooo sad. They probably do that so I feel guilted into wanting to take all of them home.
It's not just dogs, I've been to stores where the fish didn't look so great either.
Hi
Liked to read your blog, and thought that mine may be of interest to you as I run and own a Pet Shop here in the U.K.
It may give some folks a different angle on the Pet Trade and with luck make people see how much we care and love animals.
"Pet stores have been unfairly singled out and a lot of it has been due to the kind of animal activists who don't want any of us to have pets."
That's not the issue at all. The problem is not necessarily the quality of the store--it's where they got the animals from. The majority of pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills or similar breeding farms, where animals are kept in deplorable conditions and bred repeatedly until they die, or are abandoned.
And to the person who recommends getting pets from breeders, please see here.
Thanks for that! I am glad to see that some people still have enought scence to think for themselves and not believe everyting those activists tell you. Nice work!!
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