I think most people know that one shouldn't buy puppies from a pet shop/puppy mill, but I wanted to spread the word again.
Every day I walk past a couple of pet shops on my way to work and every day, there are new ones and others have been sold. They somehow have dogs like golden retrievers, dalmatians, etc. They are stuck in far too tiny cages, no access to water, and they're being fed 'food' that's not appropriate for these pups. It's heartbreaking to see and I don't know what to do about it, so I thought I'd spread the message again on why not to buy pet store puppies:
10 Reasons Not to Buy Pet Store Puppies
1. Bad Health: Because so many pet store pups come from puppy mills, they are not the result of careful breeding and they are usually not well cared for before coming to the store. Some common illnesses and conditions are neurological problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia, blood disorders and Canine Parvovirus.
2. Behavioral Problems: Because breeding is indiscriminate, behavioral problems are not weeded out generationally. You'll also find that a pet store's staff is not likely to have any training in dealing with behavior issues so the puppies continue to do the wrong things, which become habit.
3. No Socialization: Pet stores pups are often pulled away from their litter at far too young an age, often at only four or five weeks. The earliest a puppy should be separated from his pack is eight weeks and most reputable breeders will say at least 10 weeks. This lack of time socializing with his siblings means that puppy will not develop important canine skills. Likewise, a puppy who has not been handled by people from about three weeks will not naturally socialize well with them.
4. The Downfall of the Standard: In a broad sense, purchasing a puppy from a pet store and then breeding her means you are ruining the standard of that breed because the previous breeders were not concerned with it.
5. Lack of Information: A member of a pet store staff is not an expert on a breed and often not on dogs in general. Purchasing a puppy from a store means you will not get the lowdown on that breed or likely help with any behavioral or other questions.
6. Return at Your Puppy's Peril: Most pet stores do offer a warranty of sorts where you can bring the puppy back if he has problems. They don't tend to tell customers that the puppy's fate, once returned, is usually euthanization.
7. Housebreaking is a Chore: Pet store puppies have spent all their short lives in cages. They do not have the opportunity to develop the natural canine instinct of eliminating away from their food and bed. This causes problems when you try to housebreak them.
8. What You See Isn't Necessarily What You Get: If you see what looks like a Maltese in the window, you may find, as she grows, that there's a little Maltese in there somewhere but mostly she looks like a Terrier. There is no guarantee you will get a purebred dog if that's what you're after.
9. Poor Value: A puppy from a pet store generally costs between $400 and $2,000. This is often more than you'd pay at a reputable breeder who can ensure you get a healthy puppy and provide support afterward.
10. Questionable Pedigree: You're paying for a pedigree, or AKC papers, when you buy a puppy from a pet store but it's very likely that it's not genuine. If the papers are genuine, it still doesn't mean the puppy is a good example of its breed - you need a reputable breeder to prove that.
(Source: http://www.dogster.com/puppies/pet-store-puppies [1])
Help Stop Puppy Mills
Especially with so many dogs that are up for adoption in Phnom Penh, there really is no reason to buy puppies from pet stores or puppy mills.
Here are three simple things you can do to help stop puppy mills. You may be a responsible breeder wanting to stop puppy mills in their tracks or just a dog lover. Either way, here's how to take action: 1. Stay informed. 2. Spread the word. Tell a friend on how wrong puppy mills are. The more people are aware, the better. 3. Lead by example. If you are getting a dog, be responsible and get your puppy from a rescue or responsible breeder.
Thank you for your attention and I hope you will help stay informed, spread the word and lead by example.