Truth Hurts

Amidst much debate about puppy mills and pet stores, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today released results of an 8-month investigation of Petland, Inc., the nations largest chain of pet stores still selling puppies.

What they found is what many of us already knew to be true, pet stores do in fact sell puppies from puppy mills. In this case, Petland employees are caught on tape denying their puppies come from mills, yet HSUS visited 21 large-scale breeding operations connected to Petland finding animals in cramped, filthy, inhumane conditions. Of those facilities visited, many were located right here in the midwest.

Despite media and public attention regarding puppy mills, pet stores are still operating selling animals to an unsuspecting consumer.  Pet stores claim they know where the animals come from. How is it possible to keep the shelves stocked, run your business, manage your employees and visit every single source your animals are coming from? Not very likely. Pet stores often use brokers or online puppy buying sources without ever knowing the source of the animals. I'll say it again...reputable breeders do not sell to pet stores.

Still have a doubt or two? Read what a former Petland Kennel Manager had to say.  Whatever you do this holiday season, don't support puppy mills and don't buy a pet from a pet store. Companies like Petco and PetSmart have it right working with local rescues and shelters to adopt out homeless animals not contributing to the overpopulation crisis in this country.

The truth is hard to take for those that just don't want to believe how ugly it is. The truth however is going to prevail and the lies will no longer stick.

Visit our website to find out more about what you can do to stop puppy mills, and also visit the HSUS website to help take action by sending a message to Petland telling them to stop selling puppies.