C & C Pet Food

NOTICE TO CONCERNED DOG LOVERS:

Many pet stores across the United States sell puppies, and J9's K9s does not support these stores.

Click here to learn why the Humane Society says you should never buy a puppy from a pet store.

Click here if you have purchased a puppy from a pet store and the puppy is sick.

Click here to find out how you can help.

Reputable breeders are very concerned about the homes their puppies are placed in, and insist on personally interviewing prospective buyers. They do not allow pet stores to sell their puppies to people they haven't met, who are often buying on "impulse" and are not prepared to care for a dog. Additionally, a reputable breeder will offer puppy owners support and advice for the life of the dog, even to the extent of taking the dog back if the original buyers can no longer keep it.

Reputable breeders keep their puppies at their home as part of the family until they are at least 7 weeks old, aiding in their development during this critical time by selectively exposing them to lots of people and new things. They carefully research the genetics of both parents for many generations prior to the current sire and dam, and breed for the purpose of making the most sound offspring they can create. When you buy a puppy from a responsible breeder like this, they will give you an extensive "puppy package" that includes health certificates clearing both parents of all genetic problems that may be common in the breed, and a full pedigree (not just AKC registration papers). The package will also usually have a contract you must sign that lists your responsibilities as the new owner of one of their pups (including whether or not you will be required to neuter/spay the puppy when he/she's old enough). You'll always be able to meet the mother of the puppies, so you can make sure she's got a good temperament, and often you'll be able to interact with other dogs in their breeding program when you visit their home.

In recent years, the internet has provided an outlet for breeders to advertise. Many reputable breeders have web sites, but it's vital to research these breeders diligently and personally meet dogs from their breeding programs before buying a puppy from them.

To learn more about what to look for in a breeder, click here

The term "puppy mill" is slang and doesn't have a pure definition. A better term for breeders of purebred dogs that uncaringly create and sell purebred puppies might be "commercial breeder". Most puppies that are sold in pet stores come from these types of breeding operations. They breed several (or many) breeds of dogs with monetary profit as their sole motive. They do not screen for genetic diseases or temperament, and do not socialize their puppies or aid them in the early developmental stages. "Brokers" of puppies obtain the pups they sell to pet stores from "commercial breeders". Also, these puppies are separated from their mothers at way too early an age, so they will stay cute (sellable) at the pet stores as long as possible.

The only other type of breeder that would allow a pet store to sell their puppies is a "backyard" breeder. These are not always bad people, just ignorant of what is the best way to create a healthy, well adjusted puppy. They often are breeding not just for profit, but for personal reasons like their love of the parent dog or "wanting their kids to experience the miracle of birth". Unfortunately, breeding purebred dogs is a complicated business, and these types of breeders often do as much damage as the commercial operations. Because they do not put any real research into the sire and dam, they can unwittingly promote genetic defects common in purebred dogs. Remember, if the person who bred the dogs is willing to sell the puppies to people they haven't met, they most likely didn't care enough to do any homework selecting the best sire they could for the litter.

Lastly, puppies sold in pet stores spend long periods of time confined in small cages. Rarely do they get enough exercise for their growing bodies or socialization for their growing minds, and health problems (especially respiratory ones) are common. Even if the puppies are taken out and handled, they are then forced to stay in the same small area they poop and pee in. This suppresses the "denning instinct", which is what allows the new owner to housetrain the puppy when he gets to his new home. As a trainer, I find the most difficult puppies to housetrain were often purchased in pet stores.

Without exception, ALL humane organizations

(including The Humane Society of the United States and National Animal Interest Alliance),

ALL shelters, ALL rescue organizations, and ALL responsible dog breeders

are very strongly opposed to any pet store selling purebred puppies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

If you would like to support us in our position , please contact the owners of pet stores that sell puppies and let them know that you will not shop at their stores as long as they continue.

Make sure to talk to owners or managers of these stores, not sales clerks.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, No matter how sorry you feel for the puppies, never purchase a puppy from a pet store! When you buy a puppy from a pet store, you are effectively guaranteeing that more unfortunate puppies will end up in the same situation.

If you would like referrals to pet stores that do not sell puppies, reputable breeders of any breed of dog, or rescue associations, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Janine Pierce, Owner

and the J9's K9s Crew

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