Boxer at mall pet store...

[Kenosmom]

we have a little pet shop here in mcminnville and my husband and i walked in there the other day b/c it is next to the resturaunt we we eating out and we need to waste some time - well they had to boxer pups in their both for $200. they were a boy and a girl both flashy fawns w/ great markings about 8 weeks old. we got them both out and played with them for about 30 mins getting lots of boxer kisses - i just hate not knowing anything about them dealing with their health and temperment, although they seemed perfect! i just hope that whoever gets them treats them well b/c $200 is not a whole lot of money for a dog, i mean i have seen rescue organizations who ask that much and it just really worries me that someone is going to pick them up and not take care of them.

You're right $200 is very cheap for full blooded boxers...I think I would have probably bought them both and then found good homes for them my self so that I would know that they weren't going to be bought by someone who really isn't going to take care of them like they deserve (someone who might buy them on a whim because they are so cheap)...but you're right, it's hard to say what their health and temperment is like since you'll know nothing about them at all....

 

[zzzina]

Thank you

I'd have to agree with you zzzina...while I don't think buying from a petstore is the way to go, I can't help but feel like every precious boxer at every petstore needs to be rescued from those places....and that's exactly what you did, so I commend you!! Me being the boxer lover that I am, I think all boxers deserve a good home no matter where they came from

Although a pet store is not the ideal condition for ANY dog, not just a boxer, I feel like for that ONE puppy (My Cashew) I did the right thing. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

 

[scottmk]

Complicated issue. Very similar to giving to street panhandlers or the poor in general. An old economics prof used to say that by giving to them (the homeless), you are creating a market for them. Some may think that is harsh, but hey, at least SOME of those people have made choices that got them there. There is no way that the same argument can be made for a puppy. That being said, sometimes a basic supply/demand model is not always appropriate-at least in my opinion. The fight needs to be directed at the pet stores and the mills, not the puppies. Every pup deserves a home, no matter where they come from. Just my $.02

 

[Kenosmom]

Although a pet store is not the ideal condition for ANY dog, not just a boxer, I feel like for that ONE puppy (My Cashew) I did the right thing. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

True, every dog deserves to be "rescued" from pet stores... I guess I just have a special love for boxers and that's why I think that every boxer needs to be gotten out of places like that asap....but no puppy deserves to be in the pet stores (I agree)....

 

[Konah's Mom]

I Saw a beautiful little reverse brindle at a pet store in our mall (largest mall in the world) she looked so sad. She was curled up next to a labradoodle and i tapped on the glass and she lifted ehr head then put it back down. I heard from another customer that she's been to a couple of the branches for the last month. She looked skinny and so very sad. My bf made me leave, i was about to cry. I asked about her breeding and they "don't disclose that information until after the purchase is finalized". Makes me sick to think about it. It's a damn good thing i don' have 1500$. Poor thing. I agree with the whole don't buy from a pet store thing, especially with their breeding info reply, but to think she's been in one of those tiny cages for over a month makes my heart break.

 

[ktn67]

Please think about the future!!!!!!

I know how hard this is to do and I know how hard-hearted this sounds. But we have to walk away from the pet stores and BYB's before it will end. This has been said so many times, by so many people more experienced than me (JAN on this thread) that it seems almost pointless to keep on, but maybe a few more will start to understand with each repetition so I (we) persist.

For each of you who have a baby that you "rescued" from a pet store or BYB; YES, you did it for the right reason. YES, your heart is in the right place. YES, for that moment you saved a boxer's life. And YES, the baby you took home will be forever better off for what you did. No one is denying any of this. No one is condemning WHY you did what you did.

The problem lies in the vicious cycle it perpetuates. Every puppy sold makes room for more. For every one you save there is a litter of 6 (or 8 or 12) waiting to take it's place. Every time someone morally corrupt enough to send 6 week old babies away to be shipped God knows where, to be placed in cages and displayed with other babies from God knows where - all who probably haven't been vaccinated - and gets another dollar for our sympathy for these innocent creatures, just encourages them to produce more!!!! These people (and I use that term very loosely) have no feelings for these puppies. They feel no responsiblilty for their welfare. This is a commoditiy. As far as they are concerned it is simply an issue of supply and demand. And if people continue to purchase puppies from pet stores and BYB's, regardless of the reason, there will continue to be a demand. The only reason for these individuals to stop producing puppies is when it's no longer profitable.

I know it's hard. I've been in those pet stores. I've seen those sad eyes. And I HAVE WALKED away from those babies. Grant you I sit in my car and cry. Cursing the Ba$---ds that do this. And a society that after all these years still views pets as disposable and allows this to continue. But I still don't give in to the desire to "rescue" that cute little face. And believe me, I want to just as much as the rest of you. I'm not trying to come off as holier than thou. I bought a puppy from a pet store before. I know more now.

Just try to think about the message you're sending whoever "bred" that puppy you're buying. By giving him your hard-earned money, you're sending him your approval, whether you want to or not!!!!!!

 

[zzzina]

If I were not....

I know how hard this is to do and I know how hard-hearted this sounds. But we have to walk away from the pet stores and BYB's before it will end. This has been said so many times, by so many people more experienced than me (JAN on this thread) that it seems almost pointless to keep on, but maybe a few more will start to understand with each repetition so I (we) persist.

For each of you who have a baby that you "rescued" from a pet store or BYB; YES, you did it for the right reason. YES, your heart is in the right place. YES, for that moment you saved a boxer's life. And YES, the baby you took home will be forever better off for what you did. No one is denying any of this. No one is condemning WHY you did what you did.

The problem lies in the vicious cycle it perpetuates. Every puppy sold makes room for more. For every one you save there is a litter of 6 (or 8 or 12) waiting to take it's place. Every time someone morally corrupt enough to send 6 week old babies away to be shipped God knows where, to be placed in cages and displayed with other babies from God knows where - all who probably haven't been vaccinated - and gets another dollar for our sympathy for these innocent creatures, just encourages them to produce more!!!! These people (and I use that term very loosely) have no feelings for these puppies. They feel no responsiblilty for their welfare. This is a commoditiy. As far as they are concerned it is simply an issue of supply and demand. And if people continue to purchase puppies from pet stores and BYB's, regardless of the reason, there will continue to be a demand. The only reason for these individuals to stop producing puppies is when it's no longer profitable.

I know it's hard. I've been in those pet stores. I've seen those sad eyes. And I HAVE WALKED away from those babies. Grant you I sit in my car and cry. Cursing the Ba$---ds that do this. And a society that after all these years still views pets as disposable and allows this to continue. But I still don't give in to the desire to "rescue" that cute little face. And believe me, I want to just as much as the rest of you. I'm not trying to come off as holier than thou. I bought a puppy from a pet store before. I know more now.

Just try to think about the message you're sending whoever "bred" that puppy you're buying. By giving him your hard-earned money, you're sending him your approval, whether you want to or not!!!!!!

able to get info on the breeder of this specific dog, SHE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE CAGE!. But fortunately I have a relative in the "pet store" business who was able to get that info for me from the store owner. I also spoke at length with the breeder's office before any cash for MY BABY changed hands. Trust me, if there had been ANY health issues with Cashew, I'd still be waiting for a boxer.....AND believe me when I say we waited for a long time....I played the "game" with 3 boxer rescues, ( those that say they NEED homes for rescue dogs DESPERATELY) I guess not so desperately that they call you back, I'm still waiting to hear from them ( months later) . Some may say I just fed the market, that may be so, but for that one little dog, I got her out of the cage...and into a loving home where she is cherished. I'm done defending myself for "feeding the market" My baby is MY baby, no matter where she came from. I did what I had to do for MY OWN CONSCIENCE. I also realize the rescues are mainly volunteer, and I had my little war of words with one in particular, knowing afterward that any chance we had of saving one of their dogs went straight out the window.I tried to do the right thing by going for the boxer rescue first, but it didn't work. Don't damn me for acting on my conscience, although I'm sure some of you will. I did what was right for me, and if I were independently wealthy, I'd go back and buy every dog in the place, feeding the market just a bit more. You have to realize all breeders are NOT the evil entities people make them out to be. I also realize there are alot of BYBs out there, in it simply for the money. You can't judge every breeder on the crappy reputation of some. I think I'm done now......it's time for me to go hug and kiss Cashew, and let her know how much she is loved here.

 

[ktn67]

They all deserve better.

I sometimes feel like everything that is written isn't read.

zzzina quote

"I'm done defending myself for "feeding the market" My baby is MY baby, no matter where she came from. I did what I had to do for MY OWN CONSCIENCE."

ktn67 quote

"YES, you did it for the right reason. YES, your heart is in the right place. YES, for that moment you saved a boxer's life. And YES, the baby you took home will be forever better off for what you did. No one is denying any of this. No one is condemning WHY you did what you did."

zzzina quote

"You have to realize all breeders are NOT the evil entities people make them out to be."

That may be true. Some just don't know what are the proper things to do. I can accept a BYB being uninformed, for a while. But puppies at pet stores DO NOT come from "breeders" that fall into those catagories. The largest majority of pet store puppies come through brokers. And I CAN tell you this 100%. NO responsible, ethical breeder will sell their puppy to someone sight unseen. If they don't know you or get to know you, you are NOT getting one of their puppies. END OF DISCUSSION!

zzzina quote

"My baby is MY baby, no matter where she came from."

No one ever said she wasn't!!!!!! Every puppy/dog deserves a loving home and someone (just like you) to be their best friend. Unfortunately, we aren't rich, we can't save them all, and if we did they would just breed more to take the place of the ones we bought. I'm not saying you're a bad person, and I'm not saying that Cashew isn't a wonderful pup. I have no doubt she is. I just want people (everyone - that is not directed at you) to try to understand that if someone that doesn't care about these animals, has nohting invested in them except the cheapest food he can find, can get $100's of dollars out of them, why would they stop breeding??????


Don't they ALL deserve better????????

 

[zzzina]

Yes

Yes, they ALL deserve better.....My end of this discussion is closed.Thank you

 

[Shakira's Ma]

zzzina I completely understand everything you are saying and I find myself feeling the exact same way. I wonder what is the difference between rescuing a dog or puppy from rescues then rescuing them from the pet stores. I know the answer to this question but isn't it rescuing no matter where the dog is? I know that buying (rescuing) the puppy will increase BYBs and puppymill profits but I would imagine that alot of the boxers in rescue probably come from petstores in the first place, so do we rescue them as babies or wait until they are a year or two and rescue them then when maybe they have already been abused. I really do understand what everyone here is saying about the puppymills and BYBs and I despise them as much as the next person.