Shiba at the pet store...
It was so sad. Chad and I were out on the town and saw a shop called puppy galore. It looked like a boutique. We went in and it was a puppy store, that sold puppies. We walked around giving attention to the poor puppies and then I saw a sign for a shiba. I looked down and there was the sweetest black and tan shiba. He had the coolest markings with even some red. They were so pushy trying to sell him. He was 4 months old and they were saying they cant sell him because no one knows what a shiba is. She stated if they knew what a shiba was everyone would want to buy him. I stated that you would never want someone is not informed to buy a shiba because they are not easy animals. I asked where he was from....Montana! They were saying that it was such a good deal. They lowered the price from $1400 to $299. They were asking how much we got our shiba for and being very invasive. We just wanted to play with him. We took him out and oh the shiba puppy memories came flooding back. He was so sweet and energetic and adorable. I do not condone pet store puppy sales but I wanted to save him so bad. UGH I wish we never went in that store. Right now I want to think ignorance is bliss and if I never knew....
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That poor dog has been in that store for 2 months. If you can purchase a dog, for less than the store paid for it (the store takes a loss), is it worth it? That's just a qeustion I'm putting out there. I mean you would be getting the dog out of there, and they would have made no money. Man I hate mills and the scumbags who run them.
My friends are at the point that they physically keep me out of stores that sell dogs because they are afraid I'll raise too much of a ruckus.
I am in the process of trying to get two shut down in Rhode Island.
That's an interesting question Brandon, I would say no - its not worth it - not at all.
By buying a dog at a pet shop not only does the buyer perpetuates the mills, but they also end up with a dog that has the potential to have some serious problems - and that dog may end up in the rescue programs because the person that purchased the pup can't handle those issues; therefore it perpetuates the rescue programs as well.
As I have said before, and in the interest of full disclosure, Maui came from a pet store. We pay everyday for that mistake we made. Maui is a constant problem for us, he has health issues, mental issues, behavioral issues, etc. We will always love him and care for him, but its not without a struggle.
We are reminded everyday that we made that mistake - at the time of the purchase we didn't know better - but now we do. I hate that we purchased him from a store.
right after I posted that last post, I got this email form a member of the ATL Shiba MeetUp Group:
Dear Shiba Lovers,
I was in Dunwoody Petland store last night and I saw a beautiful 6-months old sesame Shiba Inu female sitting quietly inside the crate. The store opt for a quick sale so she is for sale just $299 ... I do not work for Petland but I just can't bear a lovely Shiba sitting in the crate for so long. If you have any friends want to bring a shiba home, please go and visit her.
Dunwoody Petland address:
4733-B Ashford Dunwoody Rd.
Dunwoody, GA 30338
(Perimeter Village Shopping Center)
Phone 770-396-7358 :: Fax 770-604-9862
Store Hours: Mon-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-6 .
So I was gonna reply w/ this email:
Please, no one buy that pup - I can give a million reasons - but I will spare all of you. Just please don’t purchase that pup - if you want a Shiba for cheap rescue one - if you don’t mind paying some $, get a Shiba from a reputable breeder.
~Brad
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But then I got to thinking about this thread.... I just don't know. The dog is 6 months old!
What do you guys think?
See this is what I was getting at Brad. If that dog sits there much longer, and gets sent back to the Hunte Corp, or whomever else delivered it to the store, it ends up dead.
If you are buying a dog for under what the store paid, and they lose money, then does it encourage them to order more of that breed? I don't think it does, if they are following any basic business model. However they might still think "it sold" and order one more. If you could somehow find out what the store paid for it, and make sure you are paying less, is it justifiable? I just can't decide.
As it is, that dog is going to have a lot of mental issues, at least I'm guessing it would.
yea I know - its really a hard one... I would have to guess they purchased the dog for more than $300, but who knows.
As for your logic, assuming you got the dog for under the price the stored paid, I think you are right on. I mean they wouldn't stock a food or a toy they lost money on - would they?
And I live in the land of Amish and Mennonite puppy mills. It is so sad. My husband sells and delivers hay, oftentimes to Amish/Mennonite dairy farms...and he has had many an Amish or Mennonite buyer tell him that "if it wasn't for the dogs, they would not be making any money in farming". Yuck. It seems that they breed mainly small dogs (eat less, can put more cages in the barn, etc). It curdled my skin when I was at the hay auction with my husband and a Mennonite farmer came up to me and my Shikoku puppy and said that he had to come over and see if "it was one of his Shibas". They don't believe in neutering or spaying dogs or cats (why?It costs money! ) and think nothing of sending their horses off to the meat man if they can no longer work for them (ie, pulling a buggy, plow). To them the animals are disposable and a way to make money.
As far as the discussion above...I can see what Brandon is saying, if the price is below their price and they lose money. I just wish that they could stop it at the source...
I think instead of getting rid of puppies sold at pet stores...
...that they impliment a program where there are not only puppies, but dogs of all ages. And the supply for these dogs would come from either Animal Shelters or Rescues. Encourage pet stores to stop buying from "breeders" who are willing to sell dogs to them.
Not only will the pet stores SAVE money, but they will also be helping out dogs who need to find good homes. At least the good thing about PetsMart (excluding their small animal stock), is that all the cats and dogs provided are all rescues.
Thus, puppy mills lose out, therefore limiting (hopefully) their "supply" due to being unable to sell them. This requires ALL pet stores to comply. The end result being fewer and fewer puppy mills in existence. Now this isn't going to stop them from selling to "private parties" but if pet stores are their major source of income, then they will be losing out on some major cash.
How does this sound?
A lot of the big chains are doing that now. I am hoping this is a trend. I always suggest not shopping at stores that "sell" animals as opposed to adoption programs. But in addition writing to them and explaining that they will not get your business untill they adopt more humane practices.
I drive an hour and a half to buy my Orijen from a pet store that doesn't sell dogs. When I could get it 15 minutes away.
I have been to pet stores that were selling shiba's and my heart breaks. It is very difficult to see them. Being an animal rescuer I am in the mindset to rescue them but as previously stated, it just continues to perpetuate the problem. Supporting them, their lack or morales, lack of ethics continues to lead to support of those that dont care about their dogs, the breed or whose homes those dogs go into. I morally have to continue to support rescues and ethical breeders. I understand completely where Brandon is coming from and I would love to snatch all pets at pet stores and I would love to think that those that cant be sold go to rescues but....