My opinions on puppy mills and pet stores stem from years of witnessing the detrimental effects they have on dog breeds, individual dogs, and the families who buy these often unhealthy animals. Many families spend thousands of dollars on a pet, only to discover that they need to invest even more to address health issues.
Recently, I had a wonderful family dog ready for adoption. This seven-year-old German Shepherd was in his prime. Dogs of this age, especially those accustomed to family life, are well-adjusted and capable of handling the chaos that children can bring. However, when I contacted a family about adopting this dog, they informed me that they had just purchased a puppy from a pet store.
Pet stores across the USA source their dogs from mass breeding farms with minimal regulations. These dogs live in deplorable conditions, bred in crates stacked in warehouses. Once ready for distribution, they are transported like commodities to stores.
The cost of these puppies ranges from $3,500 to $5,000, compared to rescue pups priced between $350 and $700. In addition to the initial cost, new owners must cover expenses for vaccinations and spaying or neutering—services often included in rescue adoption fees. Pet store dogs may come from parents with severe health issues, leading to puppies with predisposed problems affecting their hips, nervous systems, limbs, and digestive systems.
Supporting pet stores perpetuates the cycle of inbreeding and diminishes the quality of dog breeds. These establishments also produce “designer breeds” without proper knowledge or compassion for the animals, resulting in deformed or defective puppies that are often destroyed.
Act as an advocate for your local animal shelter by encouraging your community to adopt shelter pets instead of buying from pet stores.
Author:
Erik Hoffer, Founder
SWFL German Shepherd Rescue, a 501C3 division of the Hoffer Family Foundation
