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issue > pet stores
Consumers buy puppies and kittens and create demand. Commercial dog and cat breeders supply this demand. As with any business, the primary motive is to make money. The more "products" (animals) produced, the higher the sales. For many commercial breeders, pet stores are the main distribution outlet. Other means:
To view an example of pet store behavior, click on link below. This is undercover video of Elite Animals (pet store). Puppies supplied to this store and breeding photos shown in video are from a Minnesota breeder.
By contrast, no reputable breeder sells puppies or kittens through pet stores. Reputable breeders (like breed-specific rescue groups) interview the buyer first to make sure the animal and buyer are the "right fit," and the buyer can properly care for the dog or cat. Reputable breeders also allow people into their facility so as to see the breeding conditions and meet the dam (mother) and sire (father).
Decrease demand; decrease supply For animal advocates, the goal is to make it less profitable for commercial breeders by getting consumers to stop buying from pet stores, off the Internet or through classified ads. By changing how consumers buy, demand is decreased and supply is decreased. The hope is that more people will choose to adopt from animal shelters or rescue groups, which also saves dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from being euthanized.
Pet Stores: Prices Pet Shop Puppies (www.petshoppuppies.org) tracks pet store activities, receives pet store complaints and gathers and analyzes pet store data, such as pet prices. In a 2009 assessment of the pet store industry, Pet Shop Puppies concluded: "2009 was a dismal year for the dog industry. (Pretty for the dogs; ugly for the dog industry.) Overall, the average pet store puppy price in 2009 was $887. That compares to $1,019 in 2008 and $1,031 in 2007 (all-time high). If the industry was expecting Christmas sales to pull them out of the slump, they were grossly miscalculating the economy and the public's increasing knowledge of puppy mills and the pet store connection. The average 2009 Christmas puppy (from Thanksgiving until December 31st) was $926; in 2008, $973; in 2008, $1,095. The highest price for a "Christmas" puppy (based on Pet Shop Puppies data) was $1,800. This compares to $3,300 in 2008 and $4,950 in 2007. The dog industry has been quoted as saying that holiday puppy sales make up 50-60% of their entire year's profits for stores that sell pupies. Some pet stores closed their doors in 2009; others stayed open to take advantage of the holiday season. Watch for deep, after-Christmas discounts on pet store puppies."
Pet stores: Minnesota Within Minnesota, the number of pet stores per the U.S. Economic Census 2002 is 157; the Dun & Bradstreet directory indicates about 300 pet stores in Minnesota. A good estimate for the number of pet stores in Minnesota would be between 157-300. However, not all pet stores in Minnesota sell dogs and cats. Many Minnesota pet stores are reputable, do not sell dogs or cats, and offer their facilities to shelters for ‘adoption days.’ Pet stores sell more puppies during the weekend before Christmas than at any other time of year. Consumers should be aware that (per CAPS):
Pet Stores: National Chains The nation's largest pet store chain that sells puppy mill dogs is Petland. In 2009, members of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Petland, Inc. and the Hunte Corporation are conspiring to sell unhealthy puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers in numerous states. A judge dismissed the lawsuit. Details are below:
Pet Stores: Laws and Protests For a comprehensive overview of the pet stop laws in various states, visit: Some local governments are taking action to ban the sale of dogs and cats from puppy or kitten mills. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council opposes this action. Visit: Protests of pet stores that sell puppies and kittens is proving to be very effective. For ideas or contacts as to how to hold a protest in your community, visit protests.
Minnesota Pet Lemon Law If you're interested in finding out which breeders sell to a particular store in Minnesota, you can always ask the store owner. The Minnesota Pet Lemon Law: Chapter 325F (certain sections of this law are listed below) applies to consumers who are purchasing a dog or cat; however, prior to making a purchase, it is fair for a consumer to inquire about the breeder so as to have a better understanding of where the animal comes from.
The disclosure shall be made part of the statement of consumer rights set forth in subd. 10. The disclosure required in paragraph (a) need not be made for mixed breed animals if the information is not available and cannot be determined by the pet dealer. Subdivision 10. Statement of consumer rights. Every pet dealer shall provide the retail purchaser a written notice of rights, which shall be signed by the purchaser, acknowledging that the purchaser has reviewed the notice, and signed by the pet dealer certifying the accuracy of the information contained in it. A signed copy shall be retained by the pet dealer and one given to the purchaser. The notice shall be in 16-point boldface type and shall state as follows: "A STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA LAW GOVERNING THE SALE OF DOGS AND CATS The sale of dogs and cats is subject to consumer protection regulations. Minnesota law also provides safeguards to protect pet dealers and animal purchasers. Attached is a copy of Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.79. Contained within this law is a statement of your consumer rights." The statement of consumer rights shall also contain or have attached the disclosures required under subdivision 1.
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