Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Puppies for Sale Today? – Is this ok?
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February 12, 2012 at 10:32 pm #602161
ToriParticipantHave people seen the puppies for sale on Fauntleroy and Alaska? I was curious and called Seattle Animal Control and learned that if they have a business permit and the puppies are healthy and cared for, it is legitimate. I wanted to go ask to see their business permit but couldn’t muster the courage. It seems really sketchy to me but I don’t have a lot of experience with this type of thing.
February 12, 2012 at 10:34 pm #748018
TDeParticipantI saw the truck and sign as well. Hopefully they aren’t puppy mill dogs. Think I’ll call the Humane Society and check on the regs..
February 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm #748019
ToriParticipantThanks for calling. I didn’t find animal control very helpful but maybe the Humane Society will have more information/advise.
February 12, 2012 at 10:47 pm #748020
kootchmanMemberWould you rather see them dumped along the freeway or confiscated for euthanasia? A little free enterprise… let it go. Probably better for the puppies.
February 12, 2012 at 10:48 pm #748021
funkietooParticipantTori, Please go ask. Is there someone that will go with you? If the don’t have one they may move on. I’m not in WS today otherwise I would do it.
This is some type of puppy mill…a responsible breeder does not sell pups (or kittens) on a roadside.
Another thought is that someone could call the police non emergency number & report a potential illegal business…just like people do with any illegal street vendor.
February 12, 2012 at 11:03 pm #748022
miwsParticipantYeah, good ol’ American free enterprise!
Sell what are potentially puppy mill bred pups, which may encounter health issues somewhere down the road.
Even if the pups are/will be healthy, let’s just sell ’em at the side of the road to anyone with the bucks, and no screening of their new home!
Who knows? Maybe they’ll end up as fighting dogs, or better yet,(?) bait for the fighters!
Mike
February 12, 2012 at 11:07 pm #748023
miwsParticipantOkay, after reading the other thread, I see that the pups are Chihuahuas.
So, likely not going to be trained as fighters, but Oh Boy! what tasty little morsels they’d be for fighters!
Mike
February 12, 2012 at 11:13 pm #748024
luckymom30ParticipantMaybe this is very innocent how do you know if you won’t go up to the people and ask. I see plenty of signs of puppies or cats or even birds for sale outside homes and yes even inside a truck along a highway or in a grocery parking lot. Just because someone is selling puppies in this way does not automatically say it is a puppy mill. Maybe, just maybe the owners dog had puppies which they can not keep because of the 3 pets limit in Seattle or due to cost.
February 12, 2012 at 11:21 pm #748025
TDeParticipantThe Seattle Animal shelter says there’s no law against selling animals, however they might need a license of some sort and that’s not in their jurisdiction. If the pups are younger than 8 weeks, it could be classed as abuse so someone might want to see how old they are. I can’t get away right now or I would go check. Would be good to know exactly where they came from just in case they are running a puppy mill. If everything’s innocent… no harm, no foul.
February 13, 2012 at 1:41 am #748026
mehud7ParticipantJust saw this second thread on the puppies. I did stop to talk to the woman. She said she is from Moses Lake and in West Seattle visiting her mother. I asked if she had a business license. She said she did not and didn’t know she needed one.
February 13, 2012 at 1:50 am #748027
funkietooParticipantThank you for stopping Mehud.
February 13, 2012 at 2:02 am #748028
Victoria sanchezMemberYa know, if you people all want to know so bad, then come down here and question me like the CRIMINAL you are all painting me to be. NO, they r not from a puppy mill. I help friends sell these puppies cuz they r unable to do so themselves. Due to health issues, or working full time. I offered to bring them to Seattle cuz my MOTHER does live here and I wanted to see her as well.These puppies r purebred Chihuahuas, and purebred mini Schnauzers.(yeah guys, great fighting dogs!) not!!!!these puppies also have first shots and r very well cared for.if u would like to verify this, come on down here then. Otherwise, mind your own business. I’m not hurting you by being in your precious town for a fee days.
February 13, 2012 at 3:27 am #748029
babalouParticipantas I drove by, I thought there was something fishy about the set up
February 13, 2012 at 2:29 pm #748030
anonymeParticipantChihuahuas are one of the breeds most often sold illegally on Craig’s List. As long as these people can turn a quick buck on these puppies, there is no incentive for them to spay or neuter their dogs. A good question would be to ask if that’s what they intended to do with the money? It’s unlikely that these animals have seen a vet for any reason, and animals purchased in this impromptu fashion tend to end up abandoned or at the pound anyway. Animals are living, feeling creatures, not cheap merch to be hawked on a street corner for a quick buck.
February 13, 2012 at 2:44 pm #748031
DannyQMemberMy girlfriend and I purchased a female toy Chihuahua at an adoption event through Ginger’s Pet Rescue who apparently rescued her from a mill. They seemed nice and all of the paper work was filled out and they said they had taken her to the vet, etc.
Well, we got her home and comfortable and we had SO many issues with her health. We have spent nearly $2500 in Vet bills to get her to an okay state of health. Even now, she will never be where she should be.
Unfortunately we didn’t do any research, but my girlfriend fell in love with her from the moment we saw her. So it had to be done.
My opinion on American free enterprise unfortunately is disregarded in this situation. I have a big heart for animals and feel it’s unfortunate that people could be so irresponsible to just breed, breed, breed and then put them or keep them in a puppy mill. My opinion now is that if we ever get a dog again or if anyone else we know is going to get one, we will always make a smarter purchase.
Even if people mean well when they rescue dogs, you have to be prepared to drop a dime on them!
February 13, 2012 at 5:06 pm #748032
hopeyParticipantA reputable breeder does not sell puppies in a parking lot. Period.
A reputable breeder:
* performs health testing on both parents, including (but not limited to): hips, elbows, eyes, heart at a minimum. Better breeders will do annual thyroid tests and genetic tests such as PRA (progressive retinal atrophy, which is a simple genetic recessive) and other genetic diseases specific to their breed
* keeps puppies with their mama at least until they are weaned at 4-5 weeks old, and preferably until they are 8-10 weeks old to learn important social skills
* allows customers to meet one or both parents (sometimes the litter is conceived via artificial insemination, but you should always be able to meet the mom)
* allows customers to see where the puppies are raised, although visits may be restricted until the puppies’ immune systems are strong enough, usually 4-5 weeks old
* socializes their puppies with a variety of different kinds of people and children
* provides customers with a record of shots and deworming medications given to their puppy while with the breeder
* interviews customers to ensure the family is ready and able to provide a good, loving home to their new family member
* provides a contract with a guarantee against genetic health defects
* stays in contact with puppy families after the puppy goes home, to provide information and support
* is ALWAYS able and ready to receive the dog back, no matter how old or what the circumstances are. It is the breeders’ responsibility to keep the dog out of the shelter system and re-home the dog as necessary.
As a small home-based breeder who does ALL of the above things, puppy mills really piss me off. Please do not think that there is any way these people selling their puppies out of the back of a truck to anyone with cash money are just engaging in innocent “free enterprise.” They are exploiting their dogs for the sake of a few extra bucks. And if they are making a profit from selling those puppies, then they are not raising them right. Providing quality care, quality food, and a healthy environment for puppies costs money. Profit should never be the motive, because there really isn’t any profit left over.
Ask any serious breeder — puppies are bred to share the love of the breed with others, not to make money. There is NO excuse for selling puppies out of the back of a truck.
February 13, 2012 at 5:21 pm #748033
inactiveMemberHopey,
You go girl.
Don’t let the ignorant ruin your day everybody.
Carry on with the good fight.
February 13, 2012 at 7:11 pm #748034
hopeyParticipantThanks, dood. We have puppies right now if you want to come help socialize… :)
February 13, 2012 at 8:05 pm #748035
mehud7ParticipantThere is no need to breed as long as cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies are being killed in shelters. Period.
February 13, 2012 at 10:14 pm #748036
RainierMemberAmen, Mehud7. A responsible breeder is one who doesn’t breed while 4 million pets are killed every year.
February 13, 2012 at 10:17 pm #748037
Victoria sanchezMemberHello West Seattle: I would just like to take a few minutes to personally thank all the LOVELY people who took the precious time yesterday to trash, bash, and crucify me just for trying to sell some puppies. Your heartfelt thoughts deeply moved me. It makes me realize that it’s people like you who make living in America so enjoyable. My understanding of a puppy mill is someone who has several dogs for the sole purpose of breeding and selling strictly for a profit. Someone who does not care for the welfare of the puppies, but is only concerned with making money.I would like to say that I totally agree with you on that. It pisses me off about puppy mills too!I would also like to clarify something for you all. These puppies are NOT from a puppy mill. THATS JUST DISGUSTING!!!!!you people only needed to stop and ask me. I have been completely honest about where they came from.
February 13, 2012 at 10:21 pm #748038
Victoria sanchezMemberI would also like to say thanks to kootchman for giving me the benefit or the doubt, which most of you have not done. I really do NOT run a puppy mill, and if I knew of someone who did, I would be first in line to turn them in to the authorities. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.
February 13, 2012 at 10:25 pm #748039
hopeyParticipantI disagree with you. Let me start off with an article from the NAIA, and then I’ll give you my take.
This article from the National Animal Interest Alliance stands in stark contrast to your belief that breeders cause shelter overcrowding. It has plenty of hard data for you to consider.
http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/overpop1.htm
Research by respected canine behaviorists has shown that approximately 70% of dogs in shelters are given up due to behavior problems. Not every family can handle the demands of rehabilitating a dog who didn’t come from a quality breeder, wasn’t raised right, wasn’t treated right in their first home — whatever the reason for the behavior problem, it still needs to be addressed before that dog can be a calm and loving family companion. A lot of people succeed, and I wholly support their efforts, but it’s not the right choice for every family.
Another reason is allergy issues in the family. With a shelter dog, there is no assurance of the breed(s) involved and their potential for allergy friendliness. There are a number of dog breeds which are much more allergy friendly (you notice I am not saying “hypoallergenic,” because there is no such thing). Examples of this are poodles, bichon frises, soft coated wheaten terriers, portuguese water dogs, labradoodles, and goldendoodles. A family with allergy issues cannot adopt just any dog from the pound. Without reputable dog breeders, these families would never be able to have a loving canine companion as part of their family.
Yet another reason is temperament. When people look for a particular dog breed, it is because they want the dog to do a “job.” Any family who wants a dog to be their hunting companion is going to have a much steeper hill to climb in terms of training if they adopt a dog from the shelter. This is why a variety of hunting breeds were developed and continue to be popular.
Shelter dogs simply are not for everyone. Some families want to know that they are influencing their new family member from the very beginning of their life, and also want the support and guidance that a breeder will provide while raising their puppy and their adult dog. Reputable breeders do not approach this business as “sales” — instead it is a relationship which endures for the life of that dog. You simply cannot get that life-long personal relationship of support from a shelter.
This is why it is so very important for reputable breeders to guarantee that their dog owners can return the dog at any time — any age, any reason, any circumstances, no questions asked. The breeder is bringing the dog into the world; therefore the ultimate responsibility for that dog lies with the breeder. If people can’t accept that, then they shouldn’t breed. (This is the prime reason I discourage people who say they want to breed “just one litter” “to teach the children” etc. That “one” litter of puppies is still that breeder’s responsibility, even when those puppies are 8 or 10 years old and the family decides they are “done with” having a dog, just because the kids have grown up. Or any other reason.)
All of this said, I fully support people who make the financial and emotional commitment to rescue dogs. The world needs people like them, and I applaud their work. I also support my breed’s rescue organization. Whenever I have an inquiry for an older dog, my breed rescue group is the first place I suggest. However, I believe there is a place for dog breeders in this world, as long as they are reputable and operate their business ethically.
February 13, 2012 at 10:33 pm #748040
kootchmanMemberGiven that the puppies are here… noble thoughts and all that aside… for their health and welfare.. better they are sold than abandoned.
February 13, 2012 at 10:35 pm #748041
Victoria sanchezMemberThanks also to luckymom30 and TDe for having some faith in their fellow human. God blessing you all for being concerned about these puppies. Believe me, they are well cared for and loved. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
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