This is a question that we hear often. While many “pet stores” sell live animals, we don’t feel that it fits in line with the philosophy behind Sam’s Cats and Dogs, Naturally. Often, the puppies and kittens found for sale in pet stores have come from puppy or kitten mills. Sometimes, the animals come from accidental or intentional backyard breedings. Either way, profit is the primary goal. When profit is the primary goal, the less money invested in the animals, the better. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the documented issues with these “breeders” include over breeding (producing a litter every heat cycle), inbreeding (often termed “line-breeding”), minimal veterinary care, poor quality food and shelter, lack of proper socialization, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals.

The conditions at puppy mills are truly horrendous. Female dogs, known as brood bitches, are bred twice a year until they are no longer able to produce a profitable litter; they are then auctioned or killed. The animals are kept in tiny wire cages with minimal shelter from the elements and inadequate elimination area. Veterinary care is often kept to a minimum (if the animals receive any at all) and the animals are fed cheap, low quality feed to keep costs down. Puppies and kittens are frequently taken from their mothers as early as four to six weeks of age and shipped to pet stores everywhere via truck or plane-often spending up to twenty-four hours in a tractor trailer with no food, water, human contact, or an opportunity to eliminate.

Backyard breeders may have a litter of puppies because they want their kids to experience the miracle of birth. It may be an accident. It might even be to make some easy money. If you ask any professional dog breeder, they will tell you that there is no money in dog breeding. Proper breeding practices and the care of a pregnant or nursing bitch and her litter should cost anywhere from two thousand to as much as four thousand dollars. When breeding for profit, expenses that high will lead to inflated prices for the puppies. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that because that cute little ball of fluff’s price tag says $1499.99 that it is a well bred pup or kitten. And “papers” are only as strong as the honor of the person who bred the dog. They can be falsified and mean nothing unless you plan on showing your dog.

Health of puppies and kittens is not emphasized when breeding for profit. A “purebred” puppy or kitten from a pet store or backyard breeder will often have a serious genetic fault by the time they are twelve months old. They will likely have serious structural defects, psychological defects, immunological defects and poor temperament.

Sam’s Cats and Dogs, naturally feels that we can better serve our community by assisting our customers in finding a shelter, rescue group, or responsible breeder from which to acquire their new best friend.

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