After a 3 week holiday in the US, right after Christmas, I was thoroughly sickened at the number of small-town pet stores trying to sell off their Christmas stock of puppies by whatever means necessary. As a Canadian, we don't see "Puppy Stores", which sell only pets. Pet stores, whether they be chains or independant retailers, can sell puppies but you can't open a storefront operation with the express purpose of selling only animals. Not to my knowledge, anyway, here in BC.

As we drove through Arizona, California, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon & other states (this was over 4,000 miles!) we went from $400 & $500 on Christmas eve which was our first day of travel (and those signs left up over the Christmas shutdown) to $199, $99, even $50 2 for 1 puppies by a few days after New Year. If that doesn't tell you how these animals are viewed by those selling them, what more will it take? This is stock with an expiration date, not a living being. Remember who these people are throughout the year. Don't reward them by overlooking their need to make a buck.
My mother's pet store impulse buy has cost her probably close to $12,000 in 5 years. I don't argue that she did save her, for another owner may have put her down or given her up to a shelter by now. But that dogs parents produced siblings who were sold here in out town for several more years I think, and I see her lineage in lots of our special need grooming clients. She just had 9 teeth pulled in the latest vet visit... and the vet shook her finger in her face and lectured her on bad genetics, pet-shop puppies, puppy mills and more.
I wish more vets were outspoken about this issue. I realize that some might think vets love "Christmas pets" because they are going to become (very) regular clients but not a single vet I know wants to see these animals bred. They all argue against puppy mills, pocket pet mills, and other poor breeding conditions. But what vet will turn away a PSP on principle? Not one, because that would be incredibly irresponsible. So how do we really get the message across?
I've forwarded the email to my contact list. I've posted this page on FB. I'm all ears!

View this excellent documentary on puppy mills from WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC

http://www.wral.com/news/local/documentaries/video/6290061/

Bev for your encouraging comments and Dave for your recommendation.

I agree that MOST pet shops purchase puppies from less than reputable breeders at the best,but I have been selling puppies in a pet store for over 20 years and we do purchase from individual breeders.Making blanket statements about anything is an error in thinking. I also breed ,raise and love American Bulldogs. I advertise them on line,my own web site as well as other puppy sites. I breed to make a great dog that functions in many aspects....I also make money selling my puppies and I don't feel that That is anything evil.We make things and sell them to people who want and love them,how much better can it be?Responsible breeding and selling is nothing to be ashamed of,it's a point of pride and joy.

Responsible breeders do not sell puppies to make money. They screen the families they place their puppies with thoroughly. They health test their dogs before breeding them, and publish those results at offa.org so the results can be verified. And, most importantly, a responsible breeder puts in the contract that any dog bred by them MUST be returned to them if the buyer cannot keep the dog for ANY reason, at ANY time in the dog's life.

These are the hallmarks we must educate people to look for when purchasing a puppy.

You may not be able to see both parents at a responsible breeder, because they choose a dog that is a good complement to their bitch, and will produce the best pups, rather than breeding whatever dog they happen to own. But they should be able to provide contact info for the stud dog owners, and be happy for you to contact them.

Of course, rescue is always an option as well, and many responsible breeders are also heavily involved in rescue.

In my opinion, puppy mills continue to get away with their horrendous deeds simply because we lack the resources (personnel and money) to enforce many of the current laws in most states. Pennsylvania has obviously made a concerted effort to step up their enforcement.

Personally, my thought is that if the AKC and the HSUS truly want to stamp out puppy mills, it's time to pony up and put your money where your mouth is. Between the two organizations, I am sure there is several million dollars that could be used towards enforcing the laws and finding breeders who continue to practice breeding for profit.

I do, though, need to agree with Carol to a certain extent. There are pet stores that cater to local needs and help place rescue pets as well as sell local litters. Simply put, they are meeting a market need. Consumers want someplace convenient to find a pup and I think many customers feel put off by the intense screening some breeders (and some rescues) do. And, we shouldn't paint all pet stores (or breeders or rescues or even veterinarians) with the same brush.

That said, I think we need to find some way to bring these various groups to the table (HSUS, rescues, AKC, etc) and hammer out a plan that will work and move us towards eliminating people who only see dollar signs where a dog stands.