DEAR EDITOR:
This letter is in response to Doug Fick’s letter on local pet
shops and puppy mills.
DEAR EDITOR:
This letter is in response to Doug Fick’s letter on local pet shops and puppy mills.
First off I am entirely against the puppy mill situation in this country. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not have the time or resources to find a so-called reputable breeder. This is where the pet store comes into play.
There are two ways a pet store can obtain puppies; first they can go through the Hunte Corp., or they can take time to find other reputable breeders in the country for their customers. I have been looking for an American Bulldog puppy for a year now. I have checked the shelter, and there are no “reputable” breeders in this area that I can find. So the next best option for me was the local pet store.
I have heard and read the horror stories about The Pet Stop and their puppies from the Hunte Corp. and decided to stop in at Our Pet Shop in December and check it out. The owner told me she takes the time to find responsible breeders. She frequently talks to breeders all over the country and if they meet her criteria she will purchase from them.
I then asked if she knew where I could get the dog I was looking for and she said she would look into it for me. She got back to me the next day with great news, she had found what I was looking for. My dog was in Ohio and could be picked by Transpet in two weeks if I wanted him. Great, I thought why did I not come here in the first place. I got the breeders info and called her. The breeder was very nice and said if I had any problems to call her. I also asked the breeder to e-mail pictures of the puppy and the parents.
That night there he was on my computer screen. In January I received my puppy who has an excellent attitude and disposition. He has gained 40 pounds in the last three and half months and is in great health. I have recommended Our Pet Shop to everyone who has asked me where I got my dog.
As far as “reputable” breeders locally I have not found any. A lot of the breeders have very high expectations for people they sell to. I know one breeder of Golden Retrievers who will not sell you a dog if it is kept outside. This is not feasible for the average family where both people work.
It seems that all this hoopla being stirred up in Gilroy is by the members of Gavilan Kennel Club. In their opinion if your not buying a dog from someone they know, you are automatically buying from a puppy mill. These people firmly believe they are the only responsible breeders in the country.
Personally, I will continue to shop at Our Pet Shop after the wonderful experience I had there. Oh yeah, and I never saw any dogs in the fish tanks.
Mark Vega, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, April 20 to ed****@****ic.com
