AKC / Petland Petition

[Fluffypants]

Hi everyone,
Just another thing I am passing along in case anyone is interested. A corgi breeder / trainer / agility instructor friend of mine sent me this petition opposing the endorsement of Petland by the AKC. Below is a link if you want to check it out . . .

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Hi, I rarely ask for anyone to write letters or sign petitions, but truly feel the AKC is going in the wrong direction with this Petland endorsement. Perhaps if AKC is flooded with 'Members' of the AKC and those that have AKC registered dogs, they may take heed. And, if anyone can come up with 'another' idea about how AKC can increase their revenue without courting puppymills and pet stores, PLEASE let me know! Send letters with your objections! - Mary-Elizabeth Simpson

We are trying to reach 50,000 signatures - please sign here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/560119335

[Lady's Daddy]

I actually bought my corgi from a Petland in Belleville, MI. I learned of some bad stories about Petlands, even the one I got my baby with, after I had got my dog. That being said, I haven't had any problems with Lady since buying her from them. Maybe it's some stores that have had these problems. I won't be signing this petition because I believe it is the buyer responsibility to buy a sound pup also. The Petland that I have dealt with seems to really takes an interest in finding good homes for their dogs and have guarantees to help buyers with their new purchase. I wish I had dealt with a breeder instead of a pet store, but never really owning a dog, I didn't know how to get started. I'm glad I never had any problems with Lady.

[Michael Romanos]

I would not expect the New Zealand kennel Club to endorse the purchase of dogs from a pet store franchise - in knowing that franchises can vary from store to store despite having internal commitments to specific 'rules' and standards.

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by Lady's Daddy

I actually bought my corgi from a Petland in Belleville, MI. I learned of some bad stories about Petlands, even the one I got my baby with, after I had got my dog. That being said, I haven't had any problems with Lady since buying her from them. Maybe it's some stores that have had these problems. I won't be signing this petition because I believe it is the buyer responsibility to buy a sound pup also. The Petland that I have dealt with seems to really takes an interest in finding good homes for their dogs and have guarantees to help buyers with their new purchase. I wish I had dealt with a breeder instead of a pet store, but never really owning a dog, I didn't know how to get started. I'm glad I never had any problems with Lady.

That's fine - I'm not advocating one position or another . . . just putting it up for anyone who is interested. I didn't even know this was happening until I got the email, so figured others might not know either.

I'm glad you never had any problems with Lady, too!

[brynlea]

The Petland that I have dealt with seems to really takes an interest in finding good homes for their dogs and have guarantees to help buyers with their new purchase.

Just curious - how would you say the Petland you deal with takes an interest in finding good homes for their dogs? And what about their guarantees do you think helps the buyers? Just wondering -

[Chip's Mom]

Brenda:

What would you consider to be a good guarantee or health certificate when you buy a pup. I am just curious. I looked on the internet for that info today and really couldn't find anything. My daughter is thinking about getting a corgi pup in awhile and I would like to be able to tell her what to look for.

[Lady's Daddy]

Well they have programs for replacement puppies if something was to happen within a specified amount of time. My neighbor, who owns Vadar, also got him from Petland after the original pup she bought from them died of pneumonia (i think). They also have a program where a buyer can bring the pup back if the owner decides they can't take care of the pup the way they should be taken care of. I don't know if these programs are for all the Petlands, but I do know that my Petland does this. I don't know if these are stellar benefits or not, but this is what I know. They are in business to make money just like any other business. Does this hurt the breed? I don't know. You do get papers from the breeder with the dog as well. I have personally contacted the breeder of my dog and had many of conversations over the phone and through email. What I think happens is: Breeders do try to find buyers for their pups locally or through personal websites. When they can't find a home for some of the pups, I think they sell them to pet stores like Petland. Breeders are looking for money as well as producing quality pets for people like me and you. Personally I don't like the idea of selling puppies in a pet store, but what would happen to these little guys if they didn't? I can only go off of my situation and it has turned out great. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to have found my Lady Bird.

[Chip's Mom]

Lady's Daddy - I don't think there is a perfect solution to this and Petland sounds like it may be more responsible than some of the others. It is just like anything else, one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. I get very aggravated with the puppy mills that cage their animals forever and just breed, breed, breed without any consideration for the dog. I know when I got Chip, there was one breeder who couldn't believe I was shopping for a puppy in February. She said no good breeder would have puppies this time of the year. Some were kind of scary and I had applied for a pup through petfinders.com and waited for about 3 weeks and never did get a reply other than she had my application. I think even if you go through a very reputable breeder, things can happen and it is all a roll of the dice. You can maybe change the odds some but it is all a game of chance just like when you have a baby. Chip is perfect for us. He fits into our life style, loves to ride and I couldn't have asked for a better pup. I would have felt better, if my breeder had offered me a future pup free of charge or at a discounted rate (if I ever wanted another one) but all in all - I think we have all done well getting our pups. Not everyone can afford a show quality dog and some people wouldn't qualify. Like me, I have 3 other dogs so some breeders may frown on that. I think you need to go with your instincts and as soon as you buy your pup, take him/her to your vet for a thorough examination.

[corgimom]

http://www.pembrokecorgi.org/buycorgi.htm

Lady's Daddy,

The only thing with the Petshop pups, and I could be wrong, is that you will not get any certificates to show that the parents of your pup was checked for eyes, hips and vWD(in the case with Corgis) - I could be wrong, but I would guess that you did not get those certifications.

Will Petland be there for you in 5 years if something were to go wrong with your pup? Did the breeder you spoke to say she would be?

Was your dog sold on a limited registration that required you to spay her by the time she was 6 months old?(this would be the good thing) Or, did you get a full registration where you can breed her yourself if you desire?

I hope Brenda posts more to this thread, but I think most of the pups that they get from their litters are not Show Quality - I think they are quite lucky to get one out of a litter, maybe two.??; but they breed with the intent of trying to produce the healthiest pups with sound temperments and standards of what the breed should look like with the hopes of getting one or two show quality pups; Am I right here?

And I am with you Bonnie, the thought of these animals in cages for most of their lives just producing puppies makes me cringe; how sad that is I think when people buy a Petshop pup - they see the cute puppy, but aren't thinking about the sire and dam of that pup and what type of life those animals are enduring; so buying the pup just helps to keep the cycle going; and of course, some of these puppymill dogs who don't produce anymore end up in rescues having had little socialization skills with humans and a lack of love from them. - very sad. I don't think these dogs are having their teeth cared for and seeing vets on a regular basis either.


http://www.corgiaid.org/rescued/inde...rant_year=2006

Go to this link and read this story about "Joy" - Look at that poor face, how sad.

Now of course, there will not be enough reputable breeders to go around to produce enough Corgis for everyone that wants them, so what is one to do in that case? I have seen in the Classifieds with some other breeds where the seller says they have the OFA cetifications and offer guarantees, Not sure about this and this is the route that many people have to or choose to go; but then you take risks this way also.

Sorry, I got toooo long winded here... Lady's Daddy,

I am glad that so far your girl is healthy and I hope she and all our Corgis live long and healthy lives.

Brenda, would you be willing to post what breeders look for in potential adopters before placing a pup, as in your case or other breeders you know? Do you consider the age of the person, or how many pets they already have?

[Fluffypants]

Originally Posted by Lady's Daddy

I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to have found my Lady Bird.

You are too cute Lady's Daddy.