I went into Sutton (Surrey) today only too find a pet shop that sold litters of puppies :( Me and my friend were DISCUSTED with the conditions. For a start the whole shop reeked of poo and wee and the puppies were in the smallest cages. I could just tell they were from the puppy farms because there were so many different breeds there such as pomeranian crosses, a boxer puppy, beagles, an alsatian, labradors and others. It wasn't just the puppies though. There were other animals too such as a large parrot who was in, what looked like, a small budgie cage :(. It was so sad too see and there was the usual ''ahh that puppy is so cute'' remarks. I just shouted ''BLATENTLY THESE PUPPIES ARE FROM PUPPY FARMS'' and walked out. It just makes me so ANGRY. Is there any sites or organisations I can contact about this pet shop?     

I had the same experience with a pet shop in blackpool and contacted the local trading standards and the RSPCA who said as long as they had water and enough room to move around it was ok.The poor little things were only about 6 weeks old, and packed in to glass cages in the window.This was before xmas and we went back last week and they are still selling pups.The trading standards guy was very defensive saying that the rspca know what they are doing and talking about far more than a lay person like me.I can't believe they are still allowed to sell them in these conditions...

Good 'ol RSPCA.  Sooooo caring, really do what is in the animals best interest - :(

We have been trying to stop Blackpool Petworld selling dogs and cats since they first started as have the RSPCA, but until the law is changed there is nothing that can be done.  I don't normally stick up for the RSPCA but in this case their hands are tied.  They do not make laws.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Candie,
Could you please contact me on adogslife@ntlworld.com as we have a big campaign on in Blackpool and I would like the name of the pet shop you entered.

I would still ring the R.S.P.C.A,  it may help the animals just abit. if the pet shop owner get a vist .at least he will no he is being watched. trouble is while people keep buying these poor animals,idiots wil keep selling them.lets hope these animals  end up in nice homes.

Have you contacted your local newspaper? They are always on the lookout for a 'story' to highlight things to the general public :)

hi i wasnt talking about blackpool petworld but a petshop in the centre of blackpool, sadly i dont think the RSPCA give a monkeys as long as the money keeps rolling in...

Never thought of the news paper but they probably wouldn't be interested. As its not illegal or anything they wouldn't consider it a good story but I recon its a brilliant idea as it would show people that buying a puppy from a pet shop is wrong. Most non dog people think that every puppy in the world comes from a pet shop :rolleyes: I've heard a lot about this pet shop in Black pool, seems like they'll never stop:(. Its a horrible cycle. If the puppies are sold the owners of the pet shop will buy more to sell and if they aren't, Im guessing, they get abandoned or taken to a shelter and then Mr evil pet shop man will buy a different breed of good looking puppies:(. Has anyone ever protested out side a pet shop? ;)  

Hi

I'm with you all. I think its disgusting, and can thankfully say, that in Denmark, its illegal to sell cats and dogs from petstores, so we don't see that in Denmark.

My mum and stepdad went to France about 6 months ago, and they went into a petstore, my mother knew from the beginning, that she shouldn't have done it. If she had had the money, she would have bought all the dogs and cats so they could be free from the cages.

I don't think my heart could cope, if I were to go into such a place.

Jeanette

Do you have a big dog/cat rescue problem in Denmark or is it not so big because people can't just buy a pet on impulse? Would be interesting to see if stopping the selling in petshops would have an impact on the rescue probelm.

Jesse

To Poodlebaby:
Hi Jesse
I can't find your reply here, but saw it in the email, so thats why I'm answering like this.

Well I don't think it is as big as in England, we don't have organisations as big as RSPCA or things like that.

The few places we have here in Denmark, are volunteers -  not a payed job!

Unfortunately we have a lot of unwanted pets put to sleep every year, because people get them, realizes "oh no this is too much for me", and goes to the vet and pts.

We do sell pets in the newspapers. But I still think it takes a bit more consideration to buy from a paper than a store, because you have to take a phone, call the number and go out there, where as in a store you can come walking downn the street, and a thought just pop in ypur head: " thats a cute puppy, I'll buy it".

Jeanette

SaraN I had a lady contact me who had bought a yellow lab pup from the very shop you visited, he died within a couple of weeks  :(

And did she report the pet shop to the council?

The RSPCA may not help, but if conditions are bad the council can revoke their trading licence. Report them to the council.

This business disgusts me, I would contact the local newspapers whom seem to hold quite a bit of clout, the RSPCA, Breed Clubs and in the case of Beagles, Beagle Welfare.  The more we can do to stop these people the better.

Hi, you can contact (also anyone who has purchased a puppy that has been sick or died soon after purchase) to contact http://mysite.freeserve.com/puppy_alert/index.htm
You should also contact, in writing, the local Council Environmetal Health Department. Possibly they are not complying with their Pet Shop Licence conditions, if the conditions are as you describe.
The Council only Licence a premises for one year, if they receive enough complaints during that year it is possible to revoke the Licence. However, you and all the puppy purchasers, if disatisfied have to keep the pressure up - all the time. 

oh tcarlaidh... how awful. The family must have been devastated. :( Poor puppy. Im so mad. the puppies were in small plastic door cages at the back of the shop and I remember 2 who had obviously been ''left'' from the last litter as they were bigger than the others. :( If only people were more aware about pet shop puppies and then the problem might stop.  

I don't know if you live around the sutton area or you were just visiting, I live near there and that petshop [if it's the one down the bottom next to a large asda] was burned down [including all the animals inside] by someone, it's however back up now, but i'll still never go in it.

It's a shame because it's the only place I know that I can find pomeranian's when I want one desperately, but I dare not go in there.

Abbers have you tried contacting these clubs?  one of them should be able to help ;)

NORTHERN POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Mrs L Webster. Tel No: 01246 566059
POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Mrs A Cawthera. Tel No: 01952 604298
POMERANIAN CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec. Mrs P Williamson. Tel No: 01960 322606
POMERANIAN CLUB.OF SOUTH WALES. Sec. Mr G Medcraft Tel No: 01639 894525
SCOTTISH POMERANIAN CLUB Sec. Miss C M McDowall. Tel No: 01698 791467
SOUTH OF ENGLAND AND POMERANIAN CLUB. Sec. Mrs G Taylor. Tel No: 020 8393 2511

Did you see them advertised on Findit by any chance if so complain to the site as i have been thinking about complaining myself about the ones on there they are breeding loads for prices that are ridiclulous.

For some reason Pomeranian's are very popular at the moment.  I have had more queries in the last year for one than I've had in the 25 years of owning one!

Just to advise people that ifthey are looking for a Pomeranian to look like Sharon Osborne's they are better off looking at German Spitz as the size and colours that she has are more Spitz than Pomeranian, especially if you live here in England.

We rarely have litters, last one was 11 weeks ago and before that nearly 2 years ago and like many others we'll be keeping our girl :d   Well that's as long as she calms down soon, she's as mad as a hatter.  Unfortunately as Pom's usually have a litter of only 1 or 2 that is why people are unable to buy one as the breeder's usually keep them.

Yeah, the pet shops by me sell kittens and puppies, the girl behind the counter seemed to believe so long as the person buying them paid £25 a kitten and £100 a pup they'll look after it :( Poms are sweet, my sister's mad on them.

I know petworld in blackpool we called in for a dog bed i could not believe my eyes,i was heartbroken,needless to say i decided not to buy anything from this shop, i did ring the rspca,they informed me that its Blackpool council that gives these shops the licence,i hate seeing any caged animal.
Sheila.

You may have some success if an animal dies, or is ill, within a short time of purchase funnily enough under the sale of goods act, being not suitable/fit for the purpose.  (Not a nice way of putting it I know, but that is the actual wording). Obviously the pet on purchase would have to be examined by a qualified vet to verify the condition, and if that pet was proved not to be healthy then a possible case of neglect/cruelty may apply.
It would more than likely be the case the purchaser would have to attend court as well as the vet and others concerned, which may stop any cases reaching court.

The sale of goods act does apply to animals as well as normally associated goods the only thing to watch out for is getting a pet from a rescue when ADOPTING an animal, then there is no actual bill of sale, thereby avoiding this particular act.
Having dealings with the environmental health dept for many years as far as I can see, if the premises is REASONABLY suitable for the keeping of pets then that establishment will continue to get a licence.  at least regarding boarding.
I do know that it has been looked into, and that is, that all places where animal are kept must be licenced including stables- pet shops-puppyfarms-(kennels-catteries already have to be inspected)- bird santuries- zoos-etc etc, but the problem is there is not enough inspectors to cover all these places hence the delay in implementing such an act of parliament, and asking the RSPCA to carry out such a task would eat into their running costs.
My guess is that until such a law comes into being places as described will continue to florish.

Bazza

Wouldn't your receipt for your adoption fee be equivalent to a bill of sale?

Wendy

Hi Wendy
                The answer is unfortunatly no the receipt is for adoption fee only, not for purchase of the animal.
Bazza

Hi Wendy
                The answer is unfortunatly no the receipt is for adoption fee only, not for purchase of the animal.
There is a  difference between the two. When you agree to adopt, the animal is still legally owned by the
organisation/rescue that is rehoming it, the person adopting the animal is agreeing to look after it according to the adoption papers standards and conditions.
When you purchase an animal outright and have a bill of sale, you take on full responsibily for the welfare of that animal and the seller relinquishes all rights and future claims to the animal.

Some breeders may have clauses in about different forms of purchase such as right to use at stud-first choice puppy from any subsequent litter- or 50/50 partnership - not for show-etc.etc and these variations on conditions of sale should be written and clearly defined at the time of purchase.  Failure to have any conditions in writing at the point of purchase can and has lead to legal action taken by one party or the other.

Hope this makes things clearer for you

Bazza

That's a shame - but I suppose it's how they keep their charitable status....  And at the end of the day most of the adoption agencies are doing the best they can.

Wendy

in resonse to border collie lover i have also been on findit!! not mention any name but a breeder in "Wales" has three or litters a month it seems of different breeds

There is also a breeder from Milton keynes on findit, selling all sorts of pups who look very sorry for themselves. It is such a shame but this country doesn't seem interested in putting a stop to all this.

Hi
We have been on this shops back for over 8 months now. the pups are all shipped in from Ireland and we have seen how they are delivered, packed in crates on top of each other.
This shop was fire bombed before christmas and he has settled out of court on at least 2 cases that we know of. his pups sell for around £800 and most need vets attention. the rspca are not interested in the least. and the local council have been sent many letters etc to close him down, but nothing is done.
Cheers
Terry

Could the dog warden help or offer advice?

They seem to be effective (and sometimes OTT) when dealing with owners who are less than perfect so they may be able to support you (or at least make it difficult for the shop owner to leave them in poor conditions).