"breeder" selling at 3 weeks - HELP!

[CarolynRuth]

A friend (Amanda) of my friend (Cassie) has been talking to a "breeder" (I use the term loosely) about getting a boxer. Cassie and I have been trying to convince her to get a rescue instead, but she is set on a baby boxer. Anyway, the "breeder" called today and said the mother isn't wanting to nurse anymore, so she needs to come get her pup now (at 3 weeks old). Amanda was a little hesistant, so the "breeder" said, well, I'm taking them to Petsmart Saturday to sell them, so if you don't come get her before then, she'll be sold on Saturday.

I can't even say on how many levels this makes me angry. I'm not even sure how she plans on selling these pups in front of Petsmart (you better believe I'll be there to inform Petsmart management in order to get her kicked off the property). But, either way, I know there will be other people equally stupid enough to buy these tiny babies.

So, what do I do? I know it's illegal to sell them this early, but other than continuing to try to convince Amanda not to buy from this crazy "breeder" and speaking with Petsmart, is there anything else that can be done?

My other issue is that if she is irresponsible enough to do this, do I really want the pups staying with her either?

 

[Jpep]

well it is definately illegal, I'd call the animal control officers or police station. They'll send someone over and question the lady. They can ask for all papers pertaining to health records and I would be surprised if the womnan will even be allowed to take the puppies home and could most likely lose all her household animals. Unfortunately I know it's hard to be a tattle tail so if I were you I'd call the lady and say exactly what I just posted, that you heard she was going to be selling 4 week old puppies, and if so you'll be notifying the animal control officer, don't threaten just inform her. Good luck remember if for some reason she does sell them and everything it wouldn't be your fault, I know in my city the Animal Control take things like that very serious, but I know it's not like that everywhere I'm sure some towns don't even have and animal officer.

 

[Alex C.]

Yes, that IS illegal and she could get in big trouble for that! What the heck is she thinking? Maybe if she has a bad experience with this litter as far as getting in trouble with that, she won't bother to breed again. Sorry, but i'd call someone on this, it's for the best interest of the pups who have no choice in their future.

 

[Dogmom Julie]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

AND I repeat...GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I am so upset on so many levels. I grew up in a home where responsible breeding took place (not boxers, but Boston terriers). We were highly selective about how often (a bitch was never used more than once per year, and we only produced 1-2 litters per year), who was bred(only the healthiest, best temperment, etc.), when the pups could leave (we kept ours until 10 weeks, to make sure they received socialization and other lessons from Mom and family, and we alsowanted to make sure they got that 10 wk round of vaccinations, who could own (even though we heavily screened our new owners, NONE of them could replace the mom/litter, and we would never abandon a pup that way). You are correct, that person is NOT a breeder of dogs, and IMO, doesn't deserve to have any. The lady interedted in a puppy is lucky to have friends like you two to advise her.

Also, it makes me so mad that she thinks she can pawn off her pups at PetSmart. I happen to work for them, and as I think you are aware ( you kind of alluded to it in your message) we do not allow the sale of dogs or cats in our stores. The only dogs and cats available in-store are for adoption, and belong to the local rescue groups from the area. The adoption fees paid go directly to the rescue. I've personally seen people come in the store, put a basket of puppies into a cart, and walk through the store, trying to unload them. Needless to say, this is not allowed, and managemrnt will tell them to leave.

One more thing to think of, not only are the pups way too young to go to a new home, but bringing them into a public place (germ central) and allowing unsanitized people handle them, is like giving the poor babies a death sentence. If this so called breeder happens to "unload' these babies, and they happen to live, what are the chances that these pups are going to grow into dogs with severe behavioral issues, and end up in a shelter, or worse-the chances are pretty good.

I'm sorry I am so upset, but I am so sick of people treating dogs and puppies like they are something from the clearance table at the Macy's night sale. Thank you again for helping your friends friend and educating her. And thank you for bringing the "unloading" scenerio to the PetSmart manager. You just may save these pups life.

Again I thank everyone for allowing me to rant!

 

[Noel]

I found my poor Jocelyn running around the streets at 6 weeks old, she was covered in ticks and very very under nurished to the point of almost death.
Something needs to be done to stop this lady so other pups don't have to go through what my poor baby went through.

 

[presley101]

I live in VA and can tell you the law is no earlier than 7 weeks and that isn't ideal either. I would certainly NOT inform the "breeder" that you would be calling animal control, because she more than likely will not show up at petsmart saturday with them if she even remotely thinks she would be questioned or lose the cash crop she has.

Just call the animal control officer and let things happen. Also, I would let the officer know that your friend does want one of the pups, but at a more appropriate time, when they reach that 7-9 week age. I was angry to discover that Zoie, my last one was sold to me at 7 weeks but the breeder told me she was 8. Ironically she was sold to me by someone in the Salem VA area. My vet did a thorough check of her and she's fine, even a little advanced in development and social skills for her age, but I was lucky.

 

[gmacleod]

My other issue is that if she is irresponsible enough to do this, do I really want the pups staying with her either?

Actually, probably yes. It's normal for bitches to reduce feeding pups at around the 3-4 week mark. It's called weaning LOL It is also a gradual process.

What is an incredible shame for these babies is that the BYB seems to think that being the milk bar is all a mother is needed for. It isn't.

However, while not buying a puppy leaves the risk that they'll be removed from their mother anyway - buying one guarantees it.

Does Amanda want to contribute to that? Does she want to contribute to the financial support of someone who treats pups like that? Thing is, you have to look at the wider picture and not just think of pups as a commodity that you want "right now".

 

[cap032]

I brought Syxx home at 3 wks old because the mother had quit feeding. I have to say that I'm glad we did. Even though it meant bottle feeding at all hours of the night for a few weeks, it was worth it to me. I think it created a very strong bond early on for us (sometimes I think maybe to strong). I really consider Syxx to be almost a rescue because of the conditions he was in. He is a fawn and I was looking for a brindle at the time. Their were no Brindles left that were male in the litter but he was the cutest thing I had ever seen and I wasn't about to leave him there no matter what. My wife agreed with me so we took him and have never regretted it since.

With that being said I think I have to agree that this is another sorry breeder trying to make some cash with no concern to the well being of the babys. While it might be illegal, unfair, unethnical, or just flat out not right, your friend is in the position to have a wonderful experience like I did. Also in this case I would consider it almost a rescue as well. Your friend could give one of these pups a wonderful happy life that otherwise might not be possible. I say tell her to go for it and not to think of it as a bad situation because of a sorry breeder. Instead think of it as a wonderful situation to save a pup from a sorry person, and quite possibly a miserable life.

 

[Dieselsmom]

I brought Syxx home at 3 wks old because the mother had quit feeding. I have to say that I'm glad we did. Even though it meant bottle feeding at all hours of the night for a few weeks, it was worth it to me. I think it created a very strong bond early on for us (sometimes I think maybe to strong). I really consider Syxx to be almost a rescue because of the conditions he was in. He is a fawn and I was looking for a brindle at the time. Their were no Brindles left that were male in the litter but he was the cutest thing I had ever seen and I wasn't about to leave him there no matter what. My wife agreed with me so we took him and have never regretted it since.

With that being said I think I have to agree that this is another sorry breeder trying to make some cash with no concern to the well being of the babys. While it might be illegal, unfair, unethnical, or just flat out not right, your friend is in the position to have a wonderful experience like I did. Also in this case I would consider it almost a rescue as well. Your friend could give one of these pups a wonderful happy life that otherwise might not be possible. I say tell her to go for it and not to think of it as a bad situation because of a sorry breeder. Instead think of it as a wonderful situation to save a pup from a sorry person, and quite possibly a miserable life.

If she pays this "Breeder" for the pup then she is just simply continuing the cycle. What is to stop this lady from doing this again when she breeds the bitch in another six months. Someone needs to report this lady and when animal control comes and removes the puppies, your friend should adopt one of them, I'm sure animal control would be more than happy to have them adopted asap.

 

[punchinella]

It amazes me how many times throughout the day, I have the urge to go and b**** slap someone. In this case, I'm referring to the BYB being discussed here. I wonder if I could find a job as a professional b**** slapper - and all the idiots of the world could be brought before me for justice :D