Consumers: Financial and emotional pain
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The mass production and selling of puppies and kittens does not only create harm to the animals. This is also a consumer issue.
Consumers who buy a pet from a pet store are often uninformed — deliberately. They don't know where the puppy or kitten came from and are not given this information by the pet store until after the purchase and after they bonded with their new family member. Those who end up with a sickly animal suffer emotionally and economically. It is extremely hard to watch your new puppy or kitten in pain or die and to also pay thousands in veterinary bills in an attempt to save the animal's life. Photo at left is Bella and her puppy Lulu, who was purchased in 2022 from Four Paws and A Tail. Lulu died one month after purchase. Her story is below. |
In 2022, Queschen M. and her daughter Bella purchased their puppy named Lulu from Four Paws and A Tail, a pet store located in the city of Blaine. Lulu was sick a few days after purchase and had to be euthanized a month later; she was diagnosed with hypoglycemia (common with toy breeds sold through pet stores) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain; an inheritable disease, often due to unhealthy breeding dogs or poor conditions). The puppy was bred from a dog breeder in Wisconsin: Miller Kennel, USDA license # 35-A-0376. As Queschen believes "This puppy was born to die."
Click for written story.
Click for written story.
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In 2022, Sandy Vera and her family purchased two puppies from the pet store Four Paws and A Tail located in Blaine, Minnesota. Both puppies were very sick and one puppy died.
The first puppy, whom they named Teddy (photo left on top), started vomiting as soon as they left the store. After hospitalizing Teddy for 3 nights, they returned the puppy to the pet store — where they saw the store put him up for sale again just a few days later. They brought home another puppy, whom they named Coco. Coco too ended up being sick (photo left on bottom). The very next day he started vomiting blood. They booked an appointment with a veterinarian but Coco died before they could visit the vet clinic. Her 13-year-old daughter found Coco dead. As Sandy has asked: "Are stores allowed to act this way? What about the breeders? I doubt I am the only one who this has happened to." Click for written story. |
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In 2012, this couple purchased Spenny, a Bichon Frise puppy in Blaine. Before they even arrived home with him, they knew something was wrong. They took him to the vet who diagnosed him with kennel cough and pneumonia, which can be deadly for puppies. Here is their story. |
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This couple purchased Sasha, a Boston-Rat Terrier, in Blaine.
Sasha had persistent intestinal issues and diarrhea. They tried various kinds of food and made many trips to the vet for testing until finally, Sasha was diagnosed with the parasite Giardia. Here is their story. |
Deceptive sales tactics
Often these animals are sold to consumers using deceptive sales tactics to hide the truth and maximize profits. Health guarantees may be offered by pet stores but often these guarantees are written to protect the interests of the store, not the consumer. There can be exclusives and loopholes; with contracts, financing interest rates may not be disclosed. Pet stores too have used the health certificates as "proof" that the animal was healthy before leaving the store — even if the puppy becomes sick just hours or days after purchase.
State consumer protection laws and regulatory laws
Consumer protection laws in Minnesota are weak and most consumers do not know where to start, legally, to hold the pet store accountable.
The Pet Lemon Law provides some legal actions but they are minimal and misdirected. For instance, a person could "return the animal" if sick and replace with another dog or cat — as if their new pet is a disposable pair of shoes. Or the consumer could be reimbursed for veterinary costs but only in an amount equivalent to the price of the animal when purchased; typically, this is only a fraction of the total veterinary bill.
Further, pet stores in Minnesota are not licensed, inspected, or regulated by the state.
The Pet Lemon Law provides some legal actions but they are minimal and misdirected. For instance, a person could "return the animal" if sick and replace with another dog or cat — as if their new pet is a disposable pair of shoes. Or the consumer could be reimbursed for veterinary costs but only in an amount equivalent to the price of the animal when purchased; typically, this is only a fraction of the total veterinary bill.
Further, pet stores in Minnesota are not licensed, inspected, or regulated by the state.
MORE CONSUMER STORIES: Economic and emotional harm
There are numerous stories of sickly puppies or kittens sold through pet stores and obtained from puppy mills. A few stories below show further examples that illustrate this problem and the economic and emotional harm caused to families.
STORY: MalShi breed; purchased from Four Paws and A Tail on 04/13/20 by Brie J.
“My puppy had an open Fontanel when I got him which should have been closed by his 12 week mark. Thank goodness it wasn’t hydrocephalus. He was super skinny. You could feel his spine and ribs and had a stomach parasite which they gave me medicine for .... and said it was just “standard routine” medicine they give all the puppies. It was just not a good experience. When I called and asked about these issues (to check if my puppy had a history of bloody diarrhea and pain — this was after he had gone to the Emergency Room), I was told it was my responsibility because they weren’t covered in the warranty. I couldn’t even get a straight answer on his health. He was also exposed to kennel cough."
- Consumer purchase agreement shows breeder came from Hillsboro Kennel. Story submitted to Animal Rights Coalition on 08/05/20.
- Consumer purchase agreement shows breeder came from Hillsboro Kennel. Story submitted to Animal Rights Coalition on 08/05/20.
STORY: Morkie breed; purchased from Four Paws and A Tail in 2020 by Amber L.
"My Violet (pup) is on daily medication* now and was born with a small liver and had an infection that damaged her kidneys. If she would have went much longer without treatment she would have died. She is still being watched by the vet."
* Photo documenting medication (sent by consumer) shows Mirtazapine, Aluminum Hydroxide Powder, and Doxxycycline.
- Breeder purchase agreement shows breeder as Miller Kennel. Story submitted to Animal Rights Coalition on 11/14/20.
* Photo documenting medication (sent by consumer) shows Mirtazapine, Aluminum Hydroxide Powder, and Doxxycycline.
- Breeder purchase agreement shows breeder as Miller Kennel. Story submitted to Animal Rights Coalition on 11/14/20.
STORY: Bichon Shih Tzu breed; purchased from Four Paws and a Tail in 2018 by Maria J.
"My little dog was very sick about 2 weeks after we got her. She spent 2 full days in the hospital, bleeding blood from her rectum. We had a total of 4 office visits during all this as well. They ran every test you can imagine, including ultrasound/x-rays. She was extremely dehydrated and needed the IV drip and trips back while they were trying to get her better. She had swollen intestines, but there wasn't really an answer as to why. The veterinarians originally had her on an antibiotic, but that wasn't working. Then they gave her a parasite white powder for 5/6 days even though the blood work, etc. showed nothing. We switched her to only prescription ID canned food and treats as well. This is working. She is better. It's more expensive but she likes it. I will just continue this as she's used to it now and I'm too scared to switch. In all total I think we were about $3,000 in bills. I think I paid about $1,800 ... I just bought everything they told me I would need - a kennel, bed, food, treats ... signed and paid. They did call me the next day and asked me if she was ok and eating. But that was it."
* Story provided to Animal Rights Coalition on 01/03/19. Consumer did not know breeder's name; no longer had purchase agreement.
* Story provided to Animal Rights Coalition on 01/03/19. Consumer did not know breeder's name; no longer had purchase agreement.
STORY: Cavalier K C Spaniel breed; purchased from Four Paws and A Tail in 2018 by Alicia R.
Puppy died. Per Google Review: "I would not recommend this place [Four Paws and A Tail] at all. I bought my sweet baby boy from this store just under a year ago. And I am so sorry to say he is no longer with me. I loved that dog with all my life and did whatever I could to treat him the best I possibly could. He was my emotional support dog and I did as much for him as he did for me. My poor baby was in and out of the vet his whole short life and I was devastated to see him fo so young. Do NOT buy a puppy from this place. The vet informed us he was born with his stomach issues that ultimately ended his life. I gave everything for him and I would do anything to get him back. The bond formed with a dog is one of the purest things on Earth and I do not want anyone to go through that heart break."
* Breeder purchase agreement shows breeder as Fairview Kennels. Consumer contacted Animal Rights Coalition on 03/28/19.
* Breeder purchase agreement shows breeder as Fairview Kennels. Consumer contacted Animal Rights Coalition on 03/28/19.
STORY: Monte (dog); purchased at Pet Ranch in 2004 by Megan H.
"Monte, our beloved Labrador Retriever, was born in November 2003. In January 2004, my husband and I purchased him from Pet Ranch (now named Four Paws and a Tail) located in the Northtown Mall. Within six months Monte was having seizures and was unable to go for walks longer than a few blocks without lying down which we later learned was due to the early onset of hip dysplasia.
This was just the beginning of the health issues and medications that he would be on his entire life. By the age of four he was on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and by age seven pain medication to ensure his quality of life. Monte underwent full hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries at the University of Minnesota along with many months of physical therapy including hydrotherapy and stem cell therapy.
When we purchased Monte, we were given signed paperwork including ironically the excellent hip joint condition of his sire. Monte’s health decline at a young age was staggering which led me to research his origins prior to Pet Ranch. Sadly, this is when I first learned of puppy mills and unscrupulous brokers that care only of profit and not the living beings in their care. Monte had come from Northwest Kennels which is a puppy mill in Iowa. We had inadvertently supported this supply chain of suffering."
This was just the beginning of the health issues and medications that he would be on his entire life. By the age of four he was on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and by age seven pain medication to ensure his quality of life. Monte underwent full hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries at the University of Minnesota along with many months of physical therapy including hydrotherapy and stem cell therapy.
When we purchased Monte, we were given signed paperwork including ironically the excellent hip joint condition of his sire. Monte’s health decline at a young age was staggering which led me to research his origins prior to Pet Ranch. Sadly, this is when I first learned of puppy mills and unscrupulous brokers that care only of profit and not the living beings in their care. Monte had come from Northwest Kennels which is a puppy mill in Iowa. We had inadvertently supported this supply chain of suffering."
STORY: Oliver (mini pinscher); purchased from Petland in St. Paul (now closed) by Maggie D.
"When Maggie and her family picked out an 9-week-old puppy from Petland in St. Paul, they were already anticipating the joy the miniature pinscher, named Oliver, would bring to their family. But even before they could welcome the pup to their home, there was signs of trouble. “We stopped along the way so Oliver could do his business, and he had diarrhea,” Maggie says, recounting that day in February 2017. “But we contacted Petland and they said he was probably just stressed, the sickness was normal and would resolve itself.” But it didn’t.
Over the next few days, Oliver’s condition got worse, not better. Maggie contacted the veterinarian recommended through the Petland purchase agreement, but none of the remedies suggested by that veterinarian helped. “Oliver slowly stopped eating and drinking, so on the fifth day we brought him to the veterinarian,” Maggie says. “He was there 10 hours, and late in the afternoon, they called. Oliver had passed away. They couldn’t save him.” The cause of death, Maggie was told, was hypoglycemia. “That was the only illness stated in the contract that the dog was not warrantied for,” Maggie says. She paid $2,500 for Oliver, and was also on the hook for another $661 in veterinary bills for treatment the day he died.
Maggie says the store promised her Oliver was not from a “puppy mill,” but her sales document indicated the puppy came from Steve and Susan Steele in Lake Mills, Iowa — who she later learned was Heritage Puppies, one of the largest breeders in the Midwest with over 497 adult dogs (per a 2016 USDA inspection report). “I asked specifically as I would have never purchased him if he was from a puppy mill,” Maggie explains, “but they sold us a sick dog that never had a chance and then kept my money.” Maggie also tried to be reimbursed for the purchase price, but was unsuccessful.
“We really loved that dog,” Maggie says. “It was awful. We were and still are devastated at the loss of poor Oliver.”
Over the next few days, Oliver’s condition got worse, not better. Maggie contacted the veterinarian recommended through the Petland purchase agreement, but none of the remedies suggested by that veterinarian helped. “Oliver slowly stopped eating and drinking, so on the fifth day we brought him to the veterinarian,” Maggie says. “He was there 10 hours, and late in the afternoon, they called. Oliver had passed away. They couldn’t save him.” The cause of death, Maggie was told, was hypoglycemia. “That was the only illness stated in the contract that the dog was not warrantied for,” Maggie says. She paid $2,500 for Oliver, and was also on the hook for another $661 in veterinary bills for treatment the day he died.
Maggie says the store promised her Oliver was not from a “puppy mill,” but her sales document indicated the puppy came from Steve and Susan Steele in Lake Mills, Iowa — who she later learned was Heritage Puppies, one of the largest breeders in the Midwest with over 497 adult dogs (per a 2016 USDA inspection report). “I asked specifically as I would have never purchased him if he was from a puppy mill,” Maggie explains, “but they sold us a sick dog that never had a chance and then kept my money.” Maggie also tried to be reimbursed for the purchase price, but was unsuccessful.
“We really loved that dog,” Maggie says. “It was awful. We were and still are devastated at the loss of poor Oliver.”
STORY: Molly and Fritz (dogs); purchased from a Minnesota pet store by Michelle
“I purchased my two dogs, Molly and Fritz, from a pet store in Minnesota. Both dogs looked sickly when we were at the store, but I felt sorry for them. The next day (after the purchase), I brought them to our veterinarian. Molly was diagnosed with an ear infection, coccidia, and kennel cough. Fritz also had coccidia and kennel cough, and, six months after the purchase, Fritz developed a seizure disorder. I spent over $2,000 on veterinarian bills at that time. The store owner told me that she only bought from small, individual breeders. But later I learned that our dogs came from one of the biggest breeders in Minnesota located in Meeker County. I called this breeder about Fritz’s seizures and he said I just needed to get Fritz to eat more. He also told me he had about 50 adult dogs. I checked his USDA reports and he had 670 adult dogs and 473 puppies with multiple violations.”