Within all the debate in this thread I hope you have realised why buying anmials from pet stores is a problem. If we have convinced you not to buy pets in future then really that is all that matters. What's done is done, no one is going to suggest you return your piggie or anything else. It's what you do from now on that matters.
About pet store puppies though....
I am not so completely 100% against breeding as most members here (although I do agree it is always irresponsible to breed any species that has a problem with overpopulation).
I have no problem with truly caring, responsible breeders.
But good breeders do not sell through pet stores. Like a rescue, good breeders vet the homes of their animals. A good breeder will have put a lot of time, money, effor and expertise into breeding the best pups they can and will want to ensure they go to loving, permanent homes with people who want a dog for the right reasons, have the ability to care for it properly, and understand the breed. They therefore only ever sell direct to new owners - who usually have to meet the breeder and be grilled about their lifestyle, home, experience etc.
Any breeder who sells pups through a third party does NOT care where their pups go, or what happens to them, so long as they get paid. This is not a caring responsible attitude.
It is also irresponsible for potential owners to purchase a puppy through a third party - as they have no way of knowing where the puppy comes from, if it is healthy or well socialised etc.
On that note - socialisation... The early weeks of a puppies life are the most important for socialisation. This does not just mean being with other dogs but getting used to normal life experiences. Being taken from its mother and home, and put in a cage in a store to be gawped at then left alone during the long hours a shop is closed is not good socialisation.
Puppies being registered does not mean they are good quality or from decent breeders. While I would say that registered is probably better than unregistered, it is still fairly meaningless. A breeder can churn out huge numbers of badly bred pups in appaling conditions, without doing any health testing etc and still register the pups.
I am also concerned at the idea that the shop doesn't buy from mass breeders, ie anyone with more than 50 dogs. 50??? That figure is well into puppy mill status already! Personally I would regard any breeder with more than 4 breeding bitches to be a "mass" breeder! Part of being a good breeder is being a good owner. There is no way a breeder with so many dogs has enough time to give them all
proper care and attention. Do these dogs get exercised daily? Trained? Groomed? Played with? No. And with so many dogs they are still producing a lot of pups - which means less time per litter, so less socialisation and care for the pups. A good breeder never has more than one litter at a time.
Then there is still the issue of impulse buying. Pet stores actively encourage it... they want people to come in for something mundane, coo over the cute puppies and walk out a few hundred dollars worse off. Of all the animals that should never be bought on impulse dogs have to take the top spot. Adoption is always the best option, especially with so many thousands of dogs being killed simply for want of a home. For those few people who adamantly refuse to adopt, there are a few good, caring, responsible breeders out there. There is just no excuse for every buying a pet store puppy... and no excuse for a pet store selling them!
Anyway, please realise that whole puppy rant is not a personal insult to you. I just wanted to explain why the practice can never be justified.
And some of us, if not all, do see the good in people. I see someone who has rescued a number of animals. I see someone big enough to admit their mistakes. I see someone who has come here to research their new pet so they can provide the best care - which is more than many people do. I see a lot of good in you.... but like everyone else I have the same desire to show you why we are so against pet stores and convince you to help us make a difference.
