Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) I have a friend who recently bought a pet shop puppy (a 5 month old Shih Tzu/Poodle mix)... The staff at the pet shop told her that he had been living in the pet shop since he was six weeks old and "nobody wanted him" Her reason for buying him is that she believes she 'rescued' him. My friend doesn't agree at all that she is supporting pet shops and puppy farmers by buying him. I never know what to say to people who use this kind of reasoning... What do you say to them? What usually happens to pet shop puppies when no one buys them? Would he have been taken back to the puppy farm or to the pound? Edited October 23, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 It's not rescuing, it's buying. By buying you give the money to the very people who bought the puppy or bred the puppy and they are able to pay their bills and keeping business so they can buy more puppies that others can then "rescue". People who buy puppies are financing the very core and chief buyer and provider of Puppy Mill puppies. If they want to rescue the puppy, wait until it gets to old and ends up in a shelter and then go and get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Ah, thanks... She thinks she 'rescued' him from ending up in a shelter. She sees shelters as being a bad place for dogs. This is probably because she doesn't understand (or want to know about) the reality of the puppy farming industry. I did my best to encourage her to buy from a registered breeder or a shelter, but she just wasn't interested. Edited October 23, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) She got him at 5 months and he had been in the pet shop for all that time Its hard to say if it could be considered that she "rescued" him when it is uncertain what they were going to do with him. I have often wondered that myself - what do they do with the "unwanted" pups? She has him now and the best you can do is recommend she take him to training and be aware that he may have some problems settling into a household. Poor pup Edited to add that I am not a "rescue person" just have a "rescued dog" :) Edited October 23, 2012 by lavendergirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Animals should not be in pet shops to begin with and keeping some on display for months is to me nothing short of animal cruelty.I've seen some as old as 7 months still living in a pet shop glass box and i saw the results in their behaviour.It's not the animals fault it's there so what do you do just leave them there for 6 months or more untill they are so mentaly disturbed that they cannot live a normal life and are PTS? Why punish the innocent animals who deserve a decent home as much as any.Instead of getting outraged that someone took a dog out of hell and gave it a decent home ,campaign instead for animals to not be sold in pet shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I recommended obedience classes and offered to lend her some of my Cesar Millan DVD's LOL. She isn't a very confident person, but her partner has a strong leadership-type personality that would be very grounding/calming for the puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I think it's highly unlikely that this particualr dog had been in the pet shop all that time. I also think it's a good idea to boycott and stay out of petshops that sell puppies. And advise other people thinking about going in to do the same and tell them why. Ie what mixedpup said - buying from pet shops is funding the problem not saving a dog. Ie "saving" one dog from a petshop condems many more to ongoing misery. If she really wants to save a petshop / puppy mill puppy - there's plenty at the shelters. Especially the ones that are too old to look or be cute any more. Salespeople have been known to say whatever they think the buyer wants to hear. And "its the last one of the litter" and "nobody else wants it" and "if you don't buy him, we're sending him to be PTS tomorrow" are common things that "seal the deal". It's wrong and it should not be rewarded and encouraged with a sale. http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-a-responsible-companion-animal-breeder_327.html You can't know if the animal has been bred responsibly, has sound parents who live in a good quality environment unless you visit the establishment - ideally after getting recommendations from several independent sources. And the breeder's website and other marketing is not an independent source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) I think it's highly unlikely that this particualr dog had been in the pet shop all that time. I also think it's a good idea to boycott and stay out of petshops that sell puppies. And advise other people thinking about going in to do the same and tell them why. Ie what mixedpup said - buying from pet shops is funding the problem not saving a dog. Ie "saving" one dog from a petshop condems many more to ongoing misery. If she really wants to save a petshop / puppy mill puppy - there's plenty at the shelters. Especially the ones that are too old to look or be cute any more. Salespeople have been known to say whatever they think the buyer wants to hear. And "its the last one of the litter" and "nobody else wants it" and "if you don't buy him, we're sending him to be PTS tomorrow" are common things that "seal the deal". It's wrong and it should not be rewarded and encouraged with a sale. http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-a-responsible-companion-animal-breeder_327.html You can't know if the animal has been bred responsibly, has sound parents who live in a good quality environment unless you visit the establishment - ideally after getting recommendations from several independent sources. And the breeder's website and other marketing is not an independent source. I agree totally... I said all these things to my friend, but she refused to listen. She kept repeating this story about how their eyes locked and all this emotional bullshit. Edited October 23, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Labradork I've had the same problem with people who refuse to hear or believe it until they experience it. Sigh. That's why it's best to keep them out of a pet shop that sells puppies / kittens. I've talked a few out of it. You can only hope your "friend" won't go there for their next critter or supplies. And I have trouble staying friends with people like that. If they hear me out on something I care deeply about - and then proceed to do the bad thing anyway ie up yours I don't give a sh!t about your opinion. It's hard to stay friends with people like that. With some things - if they have a different way of doing things - I'm fine. But knowingly supporting a puppy farm - that's hard to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 There are pups that spend months in a pet shop.I emailed a rescue group for advise about a notorious Pet Store where some did spend months behind glass.The rescue group posted my email on DOL a few years back before i was a member here.I came accross my email on line and thats how i first found DOL. The dogs were a kelpie x Border collie.7 months old ; a Mastiff x Ridgeback 5months old and 3- 15 week old Weimaraner x pups.Staff showed me the book where it showed they had been there since about 8 weeks old.All showed behaviour problems due to their long confinement. I reported them to .The RSPCA who could do little as they had food shelter and water.I found the whole thing very distressing.I could not and do not understand how this can be allowed.If i had a dog and put it in a cage and left it there night and day i'm sure the RSPCA would prosecute me for animal cruelty yet for some reason it's considered normal for animals to be kept this way in Pet Stores. As for giving them to a shelter..;You mean when their not sold even when their ''''Marked down to clear '''They would be lucky to make it to a shelter and luckier if they could be rehabilitated enough to find a home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Labradork I've had the same problem with people who refuse to hear or believe it until they experience it. Sigh. That's why it's best to keep them out of a pet shop that sells puppies / kittens. I've talked a few out of it. You can only hope your "friend" won't go there for their next critter or supplies. And I have trouble staying friends with people like that. If they hear me out on something I care deeply about - and then proceed to do the bad thing anyway ie up yours I don't give a sh!t about your opinion. It's hard to stay friends with people like that. With some things - if they have a different way of doing things - I'm fine. But knowingly supporting a puppy farm - that's hard to take. Funny you should say that... I wasn't sure if I should go into it on here because it's a bit off topic, but I actually ended the friendship because of it. I don't feel that we have anything in common and I'm not interested in maintaining a friendship with someone who doesn't care about my views. I was afraid of sounding judgemental, but it's my choice to have who I want in my life at the end of the day. Edited October 23, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Pet shops don't get their puppies / stock in at 5 and 7 months old they get them at 7 and 8 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I wasn't sure if I should go into it on here because it's a bit off topic Probably is a discussion for "off topic" but relationship drama is very popular at DOL. The whole puzzle of why some people do what they do and how to deal with it. i think RSPCA has probably had bad experience and wasted money bringing cases and not getting convictions for puppies kept in a poor environment as far as their mental health and physical development goes. As more information becomes available (more scientific studies) on the damage it does to a dog (or cat?) then they may have more chance of getting a conviction. But we still do it to humans - at great mental and physical cost - so until judges and governments stop viewing that as ok - we need to limit some people's freedom but that doesn't mean locking them up in a small dungeon for endless periods of time. Same for other animals - except maybe reptiles and some fish and moles. The SA government attitude is "rack em, pack em and stack em" - and no wonder so many of them are only good at more crime when they get out. And don't get me started on what the Feds are doing to refugees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I wasn't sure if I should go into it on here because it's a bit off topic Probably is a discussion for "off topic" but relationship drama is very popular at DOL. The whole puzzle of why some people do what they do and how to deal with it. i think RSPCA has probably had bad experience and wasted money bringing cases and not getting convictions for puppies kept in a poor environment as far as their mental health and physical development goes. As more information becomes available (more scientific studies) on the damage it does to a dog (or cat?) then they may have more chance of getting a conviction. But we still do it to humans - at great mental and physical cost - so until judges and governments stop viewing that as ok - we need to limit some people's freedom but that doesn't mean locking them up in a small dungeon for endless periods of time. Same for other animals - except maybe reptiles and some fish and moles. The SA government attitude is "rack em, pack em and stack em" - and no wonder so many of them are only good at more crime when they get out. And don't get me started on what the Feds are doing to refugees. LOL Don't get me started on the RSPCA... The RSPCA's idea of 'free range' eggs is that barn doors are kept open for two hours a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Some pet shop chains move the pups around various stores for "better exposure" if they aren't selling through the first store. Some will happily take "excess stock" to the pound when they are too big or not cute enough any more. Some will just euth "excess stock" that doesn't sell. They don't (or can't) send the "stock" back to the breeder... As long as "stock" sells, pet shops will keep ordering in more "stock" to sell to the waiting "market"... As the commercial breeder said on that TV show not long ago, he could sell many more pups to the pet shops than he does, because the "market" is there to sell/buy them. The only thing that may make a difference to the problem of live animals being sold from glass cages in pet shops is a concerted advertising campaign to educate the buying public about exactly where those cute animals come from, and what weeks or months spent in small glass cages can do to their physical and mental state. This sort of campaign doesn't need to have all the graphic images of overbred bitches in puppy farms that previous campaigns have had - as people tend to switch off when they see that sort of thing - maybe print media just asking the question "Where does that doggy in the window come from?" splashed on a half (or even full page) advertising spot - might make more people actually stop and think about it more... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Maybe a few well placed TV ads on shows the masses apparently like e.g. Big Brother and other reality shows would start to get the message out there - rescue really needs to secure some high profile backers too. All easy to say I know. I don't know why the RSPCA - for example - does not spend more of its budget on properly targeted information campaigns. All I ever see are the fund raiser ads but nothing to actually show the reality of where the puppies may come from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 It's a tricky subject that's for sure. I try and explain the laws of economics to people who are considering it. I explain if I baked cupcakes and sold them all, then I'd be inclined to bake more to sell. These live animals sold in petshops or on the internet are also seen as a commodity by those who produce them, therefore they will sell to anyone who can pay, generally. Petshops do move stock around to different locations, if they are part of a chain. They start knocking prices down when the item is getting past it's sell by date, ie growing too big. I've met someone who took pity on such a puppy, due to the length of time spent in a glass box the dog will never be a normal dog. It's a disgusting industry and I long for the day when it will be illegal because being immoral simply isn't enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Some pet shop chains move the pups around various stores for "better exposure" if they aren't selling through the first store. Some will happily take "excess stock" to the pound when they are too big or not cute enough any more. Some will just euth "excess stock" that doesn't sell. They don't (or can't) send the "stock" back to the breeder... As long as "stock" sells, pet shops will keep ordering in more "stock" to sell to the waiting "market"... As the commercial breeder said on that TV show not long ago, he could sell many more pups to the pet shops than he does, because the "market" is there to sell/buy them. The only thing that may make a difference to the problem of live animals being sold from glass cages in pet shops is a concerted advertising campaign to educate the buying public about exactly where those cute animals come from, and what weeks or months spent in small glass cages can do to their physical and mental state. This sort of campaign doesn't need to have all the graphic images of overbred bitches in puppy farms that previous campaigns have had - as people tend to switch off when they see that sort of thing - maybe print media just asking the question "Where does that doggy in the window come from?" splashed on a half (or even full page) advertising spot - might make more people actually stop and think about it more... T. She bought the puppy from Pets Paradise. I told my friend that the problem is you have no way of knowing how old he really is or where he came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 It's a tricky subject that's for sure. I try and explain the laws of economics to people who are considering it. I explain if I baked cupcakes and sold them all, then I'd be inclined to bake more to sell. These live animals sold in petshops or on the internet are also seen as a commodity by those who produce them, therefore they will sell to anyone who can pay, generally. Petshops do move stock around to different locations, if they are part of a chain. They start knocking prices down when the item is getting past it's sell by date, ie growing too big. I've met someone who took pity on such a puppy, due to the length of time spent in a glass box the dog will never be a normal dog. It's a disgusting industry and I long for the day when it will be illegal because being immoral simply isn't enough. That's a great analogy. Me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Maybe a few well placed TV ads on shows the masses apparently like e.g. Big Brother and other reality shows would start to get the message out there - rescue really needs to secure some high profile backers too. All easy to say I know. I don't know why the RSPCA - for example - does not spend more of its budget on properly targeted information campaigns. All I ever see are the fund raiser ads but nothing to actually show the reality of where the puppies may come from. There is an Australian website called Get Up! where you can sign petitions for various causes... They placed the one page ad to 'free' Julian Assange in the New York Times. If a petition gets enough signatures, then Get Up! will run a campaign for that cause. I think the problem is there are a number of petitions on their website against puppy farming/asking for it to be made illegal - there really should only be just one that everyone signs http://www.getup.org.au/ Edited October 23, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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