I went into a pet store to look at a Shih Tzu, not because I was going to buy it from there, but just to see the breed close up. When I got in there it spelled AWFUL! A nastry urine smell permeated the air. I almost left right after intering. This nasty place did grooming there as well, yuck! I wouldn't take any dog of mine in there to be groomed.

Anyway, the saleslady brought the shih tzu out from behind the glass cage and it looked so sad. Poor thing. I think it was about 6 weeks or so. Dog (female) was eating and she had food all over her mouth,then, get this, the saleslady kissed the dog on the mouth and let the dog lick her lips. Uggh!

I will not be entering that establishment again. That's for sure!

That's so terrible. Good for you though, especially for going to the internet to spread the word. Ever since becoming active in the prevention of puppy mills I can't even walk by a pet store. It makes me sick to my stomach. More people need to know the truth. Poor little puppy!!

[wishbone]

Really sad but heartbreaking stories like this were everywhere, for some people only money out of this poor dogs.

well almost of the pet store smells awful btw how's your new dog?

Those people have no heart. They're just concern about earning from selling dogs and not to care for dogs. Disgusting

Many pet stores purchase from puppy mills, so I would personally avoid getting a dog from one at all costs.

There was this store that sold nothing but puppies, and it smelled awful, as well. The air was thick with ammonia. Not very nice.

[reeskujo]

Pet stores get all of their puppies from puppy mills and byb's as no responsible breeder will sell their puppies to a pet store....90% of the time they are not taken care of,neglected,not socialized and have a host of health problems.

Anyone who buys a puppy from a pet store is simply supporting the puppy mills and byb's as well as the horrible conditions theses poor puppies are subjected to.

[lil mutt]

I hope someone can do something about this matter.

[mrandrei]

Sooo nasty! Dogs living in that dirty environment are unfortunate. Don't patronize shops like that.

I don't patronize pet stores that sell puppies or kittens. But I do think you need to remember that most pet stores that sell live animals of any kind are going to smell. They don't take the hamsters and rats out on a leash to relieve themselves. Even if they clean all the cages first thing in the morning, that many animals in a closed space are going to smell things up a bit.

If you think the shop is really filthy, you can always file a complaint with your state's Department of Agriculture. They're the folks who oversee pet shops and make sure the animals are being properly cared for. But they can't have a person in the shop 24/7 to make sure things are on the up and up. They depend on the consumer to make complaints if you see something that's not right.