Or, Just One More Reason to NEVER Buy Anything From a Petstore that Sells Puppies & Kittens.

I serve as a foster home for the local Boxer Rescue group (Texas Boxer Rescue); in that capacity, I received a call that a metroplex Animal Control Shelter had a deaf, white Boxer puppy that needed to be rescued. When I went to get the puppy, on Tuesday, January 23, 2001, I got more than a puppy! The shelter staff also gave me the "Petland Pets for a lifetime Resource Kit" that had been turned in with the puppy by the owners who surrendered her to the shelter.

From this "kit", I learned many things.

First, the puppy had been born on 8/11/2000, the puppy mill listed as "breeder" is Wesley Carmack , Salisbury, MO 65281-9259, USDA license # 43-A-1447. I have never seen Mr. Carmack's facilities , but I feel that I am entirely justified in calling him a "puppy miller". And why do I feel that way? By virtue of having read the Congressional Record that was produced during the time period in which the Animal Welfare Act was expanded to include "commercial dog breeders". The congressional debate at that time makes it perfectly clear that the intent of this expansion was to bring "puppy mills" under the law so that they would have to be licensed and inspected.

Mr. Carmack has a USDA license, a license that Congress mandated in order to regulate puppy mills! So, the next time you hear a petstore owner or manager explain that the puppies and kittens in the store don't come from "mills", that they come from USDA licensed commercial breeders, remember that both these terms mean exactly the same thing! They tell of a place where animals with an unlimited capacity for giving love and companionship spend their days in cages doing nothing but producing litters that are sold for a profit.

Second, I learned that even though the puppy was UNREGISTERED, she was sold for an amazing $699.99! Check with the AKC website to locate a reputable Boxer breeder, call that breeder and ask what they sell their puppies for. Then ask the price of a white puppy. You'll be amazed at the answers!

Third, I learned that Petland apparently makes it a policy to treat EVERY puppy that comes into their store with 5 days of Flagyl, and 10 days of Albon. Ask your veterinarian what these drugs are for. Then ask him/her what they can surmise about the birthplace of puppies that are ALWAYS treated with these drugs when they arrive at the store. I believe that this treatment is routine because the "Daily Record" that shows all medical treatments for the puppy has these treatments actually Xeroxed as part of the form!

Fourth, I learned that the puppy had been treated with MitaClear as a preventative. Ask your veterinarian the same two questions listed above about this treatment!

Fifth, I learned that the puppy was "hearing certified"! This information was written at the bottom of the Daily Record form mentioned above. Exact wording can be seen on the scan of the Daily Record.

Sixth, I learned that a Veterinarian that works with a petstore that sells puppies and kittens has few, if any ethics! How did I conclude this? Included in the kit is a "Petland Puppy/Kitten Care Record" that shows the results of and initial exam by the veterinarian that works with the store. The form consists of a list of health items, and the vet is to circle what applies to each. For this record, note how many items are marked as both Y and N. How many items are marked as both Good and Fair! This is a classic case of "Cover Your A**!!!

Seventh, I learned that even a "hearing certified" white Boxer puppy is sold (for a hugely inflated price) ONLY when the buyer signs a "custom" waiver form that says the Petland's 1 year Warranty covering congenital and hereditary defects WON'T apply to "any hearing problems this puppy may have"!!!!

Eighth, I learned that Petland doesn't care who it sells puppies to! This puppy had no proof of rabies vaccination turned in with her. She was 24 weeks old at the time, and Texas state law requires rabies vaccination by age 16 weeks. Some cities/municipalities require rabies vaccination by 12 weeks. And yet the owner had not had the puppy vaccinated! No veterinarian records of any type, beyond the initial "free" visit with the store veterinarian were included in the "kit".

Finally, I learned that the protests against this store, when it opened, were totally justified. This store and it's management exist solely to make a profit on the sale of puppies and kittens. They could care less about the suffering of the "breeding stock" that produce these puppies and kittens, and they certainly could care less that many of the animals that they sell end up in our public landfills after being turned into animal control facilities by people that bought them and had no idea what they were purchasing! Even those that are not dog and cat lovers should be concerned about this. Our TAX DOLLARS are being spent to warehouse, kill and dispose of the living creatures that serve as "profit centers" for this store.

Please write, call, or fax the store and ask that they make a donation to Texas Boxer Rescue to pay for the puppy's medical expenses and travel. She has been spayed, vaccinated, wormed, and is awaiting transport to her new forever (carefully educated and screened) home in Arizona. Ask that they follow the lead of such stores as Petco and Petsmart that do not sell puppies and kittens. Explain that you will NOT be spending any of your money in the store until the practice of selling puppies and kittens stops!

Thank you,
Wanda Brawner



The store address is Petland, 420 E. FM 3040, Suite 680, Lewisville, TX 75067. Phone is (972) 874-0770. Fax is (972) 874-7944.