[Ruby_S]

I'm curious about something....Ok i can understand not wanting to support puppy mills by not buying puppies from the pet store. My question is...what happens to the puppies that aren't sold? Don't they eventually going to be sent either to an animal shelter or to get euthanized(sp?)?

 

[Dogstar]

Generally, they drop the price and eventually some sucker buys them. If this doesn't happen (and I've known it to once or twice), the dogs are either returned to the broker and go back to the mill or sometimes end up in a local shelter. However, since they're typically not that old and the vast majority of pet store dogs are small breeds, they're not at high risk for being euthanized. If they're purebred, typically breed rescue will take them.

Keep in mind that pet stores sell 'desirable' breeds. Young purebred or designer type dogs don't last long in shelters at ALL.

 

[Locke]

I wondered the same thing. There's a big pet store in my area closing down, and I want to know what's happening to all those animals?

If they are in fact being euthanized, that's awful, but it still does not justify buying a puppy/animal from there.

 

[melgrj7]

At the store here they just keep marking their price lower and lower (I saw a dog go from $800 as an 8 week old puppy to $200 as a 6 month old). If they still don't sell they give them a vet who keeps them until she finds them a home.

 

[RonE]

It's heart-breaking but it's important to resist the urge to "rescue" that unsold puppy from the pet store. Doing so lines the pockets of the pet store and the puppy mill that supplies them and encourages them to continue the practice.

 

[Pickleisaminidaschi]

I think they drop the price.

 

[Ruby_S]

I bought my puppy out of the Greensheet classifieds, did I do wrong by doing so? Before doing so i visited the animal shelter and they only had large breeds, I live in an apt therefore i wanted a small breed, I also went to Petfinder but most that caught my eye were posted with a no children sign , and i have a 3 year old son.

 

[Locke]

Classifieds are not the place to find a reputable breeder, but it's too late now. Next time, take the time to research reputable breeders before going out to get a puppy. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill runs the risk of getting a pup with temperament and health issues.

 

[Keechak]

I bought my puppy out of the Greensheet classifieds, did I do wrong by doing so? Before doing so i visited the animal shelter and they only had large breeds, I live in an apt therefore i wanted a small breed, I also went to Petfinder but most that caught my eye were posted with a no children sign , and i have a 3 year old son.

The only kind of breeders that should be supported are thoughs that care enough about the dogs to do health testing on them. There are so many health problems that you can't see by just looking at the dog. I for one think it's cruel to allow a dog to pass on problems that could cause the offspring pain later on.
Yorkies suffer from several disorders that cannot be seem with the naked eye, so even if your dogs parents looked healthy on the outside they may be a ticking timebomb of problems on the inside, and thoughs problems may have passed to your baby.

 

[RonE]

I bought my puppy out of the Greensheet classifieds, did I do wrong by doing so? Before doing so i visited the animal shelter and they only had large breeds, I live in an apt therefore i wanted a small breed, I also went to Petfinder but most that caught my eye were posted with a no children sign , and i have a 3 year old son.

You've already gotten the dog, so don't beat yourself up or let anyone here do it for you.

For the benefit of others, though, keep in mind that shelters on Petfinder usually do at least some minimal temperament testing. If they tell you that a particular dog may not be suitable with young children, or with other dogs or with cats, it is to avoid possible problems with a new placement.

Private surrenders will not normally give you the benefit of that information, even if they have it, so it's a crapshoot. They will tell you whatever they need to in order to place the dog.

Having said that, the best dog I ever expect to have was a private surrender in the local shopper. We were exceedingly lucky, and I wouldn't count on that kind of luck again.