Super Puppy Dog

We would probably all agree that when it comes to any business there are those who are responsible and those who are irresponsible. In other words, it’s not reasonable to generalize about commercial puppy breeders. Breeders are not all good, neither are they all bad. As a result, the moniker “Puppy Mill” can sometimes be generally used and sometimes misused by the very people who love dogs and have the best of intentions. This puppy lover has been mistaken more than once, making snap judgments about commercial pet breeders and/or retailers.

Consider Petland.

It’s a U.S.-based, international chain of pet stores. But the company’s leadership seems to be headed in the right direction. For example, through its Adopt-A-Pet program, Petland stores make available highly visible kennel windows to homeless pets from local animal shelters and rescue groups, and others who may have unplanned litters. According to the company, the goal of this program is to work with pet welfare groups and members of the community to find suitable families for homeless puppies and dogs. Petland reports it has placed more than 270,000 homeless pets. That number breaks down to 212,534 homeless kittens and 59,945 homeless puppies placed. Those are the cats and dogs that come through non-commercial channels to Petland.

What about the pets it sells that are sourced strictly through its commercial channels?

Petland reports that its dogs and cats come from “professional and hobby breeders who have years of experience in raising quality family pets.” Petland also notes that its puppies are checked by two “and in many cases three” veterinarians before being offered for purchase in its stores. Animal care technicians in the stores monitor their health.

So is Petland walking the talk? Let’s again be realistic and reasonable and assume that store manager, technicians and other employees in local stores are not perfect and mistakes and oversight will occur. Just as we make unintentional mistakes as pet lovers in our own homes with our own puppies and dogs.

If you asked my pup if I am the perfect owner, well I must say that I can’t guarantee that she would say I am. Have I ever rushed off to get to work in the morning, forgetting to provide water or food?

Petland has a profit motive, of course it does. But they must know how important a happy and healthy puppy is to a family, and that a child having to return a loved pup for health reasons or death would probably mean the last sale made to that household and its surrounding neighbors. Word of mouth advertising is the most unforgiving kind when a loved pet dies in a child’s life.

Imperfectly born puppies are also a reality. I have a friend who had to have her 4-month old Cairn Terrier puppy put to sleep because of a degenerative, debilitating birth defect. Did she buy the pup from a retail chain like Petland? No, she purchased it from a professional, home-based breeder who specialized in Cairn Terriers.

Heartache happens. With puppies and dogs, unfortunately.

For its part, Petland states, “Our puppies come with extensive health warranties.” That’s comforting in a way if you’re buying, but the truth is… we puppy lovers never want to, or see anyone else have to, exercise that warranty.

Sell us healthy puppies, inspect your breeders, maintain vigilance and quality control in your stores or homes. If you do these things, you will be successful selling pets for as long as you want to stay in business.

To do business otherwise, is to be a part of the “Puppy Mill” tragedy, whether you breed or sell from a home or a shopping mall.