During a press conference that I was privy to hear held in Washington D.C. this morning, the HSUS has revealed through their eight month investigation that Petland, the largest puppy-selling retail store, buys their puppies from puppymills but tells their customers their puppies only come from good breeders. Petland has 200 stories worlwide.
You can watch a portion of their investigation here. As seen in the video Petland employees tell potential customers their puppies come from reputable breeders and NOT from puppy mills. The HSUS tracked 17,000 puppies who were linked to puppy mills. According to Stephanie Shain, HSUS Director of Stop Puppy Mills Campaign, she said that undercover investigators were assured every single time they asked an employee at Petland about their puppies, they were told they came from reputable breeders and not from puppymills. When asked to see information on the puppy, many were only given the information after the sale. These puppies were tracked to puppymills in Missouri and other midwestern states. Employees also assured them if a breeder was no good, they wouldn’t use them any longer. That statement also was not true.
The HSUS investigated 21 stores out of 140 stores in the US and found problems with each store. With Christmas season upon us, many people will be considering buying a puppy as a present and the HSUS wants to get the word out about this pet store and the truth behind Petland and puppymills.
With the experience I had working in an animal shelter, I saw firsthand how people shop for a puppy or kitten for Christmas only to have that pet returned after a few short months after the novelty wears off. I never advise people to adopt a pet for Christmas because of what I just stated. Any animal shelter, rescue organization or pet store who promotes this is irresponsible and does NOT have the pet’s interest at heart. If you have your heart set on this, please make this a family decision. Make sure everyone knows their responsibility for their pet. And if you can wait, adopt a pet after the holidays when your house may be a calmer environment to introduce a pet.
From what I can tell, we do not have a Petland in Reading but there is a pet store in the Berkshire Mall that sells puppies. As far as I know and was stated in the press conference there are only two reputable pet stores in which to “adopt” puppies or kittens. They are PetSmart and Petco. When I had visited the pet store in the mall, I was assured the puppy I was admiring came from a beautiful kennel in Missouri. Missouri is the worst offender and has the highest number of puppymills in the states. I did ask if the puppy came from a puppymill and I was assured it had not. I beg anyone who reads this, do not buy puppies from stores like this! You are only helping the puppymill industry. Many mid-western and southern states are well-known to have a large number of puppymills. We know that PA has the distinct title of being the puppymill capital of the east coast.
The HSUS stated the USDA plays a role in the puppymill situation. They inspect them. The puppymills the HSUS investigated had repeated violations and the USDA has cited them. Unfortunately many are given a slap on the wrist. This has to change. They would like to see the USDA take more aggressive action against these people.
The HSUS has not contacted Petland personally about their investigation. They are hoping to be able to sit down and convince Petland to rethink their strategy of using puppymills to sell puppies that range anywhere from $400.00-$600.00 upwards to $3500.00. They would like them to adopt similar policies as PetSmart and PetCo. They also may proceed with litigation as well.
They are hoping with the holiday season approaching that people will think smart and NOT purchase a puppy from Petland or any pet stores that sell many different breeds of puppies. HSUS is still investigating and haven’t ruled out legal action against those who are in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.
Petland has been exposed for what they do. If you have bought a puppy from Petland, the HSUS wants to hear from you. You may reach them at 202-452-1100.
If you would like to send a message to Petland yourself go to HSUS’s homepage where it will direct you to the right page. Let your voices be heard. You can also read what a former employee of Petland has to say.
A puppymill is a mass commercial breeding facility where male and female dogs live their entire lives in the filthiest and most horrific conditions where they receive no socialization, exercise , little or no veterinary care or love. Many are kept in tiny cramped cages their entire lives. Their sole purpose is to breed puppies for pet stores like Petland and also the internet. The bottomline – it’s all about making money. Please spread the word.
Please feel free to share your story about a puppy you purchased from a pet store here. You can do it anonymously.
Don’t buy from a pet store!! Good work, HSUS!