Should Pet Stores Sell Dogs – Our Answer is No

small white puppy in a flower pot

‘How much is that puppy in the window…’

As the song suggests, pet store puppies are often too cute to walk by without at least a passing thought about taking the little bundle home. Who could possibly be that heartless?

Unfortunately, the impulse shopping that the song seems to encourage is one of the main concerns for animal rescue agencies and shelters. Should pet stores sell dogs? And if so, should people buy puppies from pet stores?

To clarify, there are two types of pet store puppies:

  • The typical pet store puppy is indeed ‘for sale’ and is treated like a commodity.
  • Many pet stores now use their high-traffic windows to help adopt out puppies and dogs that need a forever home.

The second scenario benefits animals in need, and because the adoption is overseen by the adoption or rescue agency, ‘impulse’ shopping is next to impossible—no matter how cute that puppy in the window may be.
This article focuses on the first type of pet store puppy purchase.

Should Pet Stores Sell Dogs?

Pet stores sell pet supplies, pocket pets, fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, tarantulas, and practically anything else that humans could possibly want to share their homes with. But should pet stores sell dogs?
Many animal advocates believe that no animals should be sold, or in some more radical cases, even kept as pets. However, numerous pet shops continue to stock their shelves with our furry friends and make a profit. There are also people who purchase their four-legged companions from pet stores without realizing they might be contributing to the alarming rates of dog and cat overpopulation and euthanasia.

As a general rule, pet stores purchase puppies from dog breeders who are primarily in the business to make a profit—not for the betterment of a breed or line of dogs.

A reputable breeder will:

  • Want to know who purchases their puppies and will screen prospective owners well in advance of the puppy’s adoption.
  • Ensure all breeding stock passes a variety of health screens to avoid passing on debilitating diseases and conditions, such as hip dysplasia, PRA, and Von Willebrand disease.
  • Hand-raise the litter to ensure the puppies do not develop timidness, fearfulness, or aggression.
  • Ensure all puppies receive their vaccinations and are examined by a veterinarian before being sent to their new homes.
  • Begin introducing puppies to experiences such as wearing a collar and leash, meeting strangers, dealing with loud noises, car rides, crate training, and more, from an early age—so the pup never develops a fear of new or unfamiliar scenarios.
  • Ensure the owner has all the necessary supplies and accessories to properly care for the animal.

Good breeders also sign contracts, guarantee the health of their pups, and offer to take the dog back or help re-home it if, at any point, the owners can no longer care for the pet.
Pet store puppies, unfortunately, generally come with none of these benefits. Because the breeder does not care about who ends up owning the puppy, health screens are not a priority, potential temperament issues are ignored, and once the pet store takes possession of the puppy, its overall health is not a concern.

These poor breeding practices are what fuel puppy mills, which can generate substantial income for unscrupulous dog breeders.

Should People Buy Dogs from Pet Stores?

You walk by a pet store, and in the window sits a sad little white fluff ball with adorable black eyes and a wet button nose. It looks lonely and helpless in its small cage. You immediately want to ‘save’ the pup—who wouldn’t?

Unfortunately, this is exactly what happens every day across the country. Not realizing the potential difficulties of raising a well-behaved, healthy puppy, a quick purchase is often made, sometimes even easier with pet stores offering monthly payment plans. Before you know it, you have a puppy. Now the fun begins.

What many people fail to consider when buying a puppy from a pet store is how much effort, energy, and thought it takes to raise a pup and how many years that puppy will be a part of their life. Many people put less thought into buying a puppy than they do purchasing a car. The decision to buy a puppy should never be a spontaneous or impulsive one.

The sad reality is that, yes, you may have saved that one pup—but tomorrow another one will be sitting in its place, possibly not purchased by someone as thoughtful or conscientious as you. Without the demand for pet store puppies, there would be no market—i.e., no puppy mills.

Next time you walk past a pet store and see those adorable black eyes staring up at you, keep walking. Instead, head straight into the pet store that helps adopt out unwanted pets, visit your local humane society, or seek out a reputable breeder who genuinely cares about their hobby and the well-being of their dogs.

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