The fact that you sell puppies and kittens in your store has been brought to our attention and we are deeply saddened by this. Each year in this country we destroy approximately 15,000,000 friendly, healthy dogs and cats because there are no homes for them. One of the main sources of unwanted animals comes from people who purchase from pet stores such as Petland.
99% of puppies and kittens purchased in pet stores come from "puppymills". I know you "think" your puppies and kittens come from "breeders" but what you obviously do not understand is that these "breeders" are small versions of puppy mills known as back yard breeders. Can you guarantee that your "breeders" have done genetic testing for breed specific problems that EVERY breed has? I didn't think so.
Can you guarantee your puppies will not have PRA, hypothroidism, skin problems, good temperments or are even the breed you sell them as? Of course you can't, because you know these so called breeders haven't done any of this. If they had, they most certainly would not be selling their puppies to a broker/dealer who sells to you.
You have a lot to learn, Mr. Payne. Do you have any idea how many privately owned pet stores have been put out of business for selling puppies and kittens? You are kidding yourself if you think it can't happen to you.
Unfortunately, store owners like you, who sell puppies and kittens are not viewed highly in the eye of the public...your clientele. You see, thanks to rescue organizations people are learning the importance of adopting dogs and cats from shelters and rescue groups who otherwise will be killed. People like you who support the breeding of unwanted dogs and cats strictly for profit, are contributing to the problem and supporting puppy mills, whether you choose to take responsibility for this or not.
This could easily be changed by holding Adopt A Pet's in your store instead of what you are doing. Your competition does this and by your not doing this you are slowly putting yourself out of business and giving yourself a bad reputation as someone who doesn't care about the lives you sell. the only thing you care about is the almighty dollar.
Puppy Mills are a big money game, and the animals are the losers. This is not attractive or politically correct and anyone who supports them is setting themselves up for a lot of bad press and is asking for a lot of unwanted attention
Just so you know...these so caled "breeders" are in fact licensed puppy millers. Due to the connotationa and visual image the term "puppy mill" creates USDA/APHIS has agreed to change the name to Commercial Breeder as per request of licensed puppy millers. People, like yourself, think that makes this ok. It does not by any stretch of the imagination.
It is a published fact that the two City of Dallas Animal Shelters alone destroy over 30,000 animals each year because there are no homes for them. Do you realize that most pet store puppies and kittens end up in shelters waiting to be euthanised? Don't kid yourself and think it doesn't happen, it does everyday. And you are adding to this already frightening number by selling puppies and kittens in your store.
Mr. Payne, you have the chance to correct this situation and stop purchasing the puppies and kittens now. You will bring in a lot more traffic with the approaching holidays by holding Adopt A Pet's and working WITH the various rescue organizations than screaming and threatening them, like you did the day of your Grand Opening. News travels fast and your reputation is already being created by your actions as an uncaring, heartless person who cares nothing about dogs or cats or where they come from, or that they will eventually end up on death row. I don't think you want that...just doesn't look good.
The choice is yours, Mr. Payne. You can make an intelligent decision to stop selling puppies and kittens now and establish a relationship with Rescue or be prepared for lots of unwanted attention via the Internet and locally.
Sincerely,