What should happen to the new Family Puppy store in the Genesee Valley shopping center?

32 Comments

  • Jessica - 14 years ago

    It doesnt matter where a cat or dog come from. They all needs homes. Those puppies they are selling need homes as well, why disciminate and close them down? then where do the puppies go? dont spend time arguing on closing down another place that is simply trying to get more puppies adopted.

  • PMA - 14 years ago

    A pet stores is not a good thing for everyone. Everyone keeps forgetting this is about the breeding dogs!

  • vettechpuppylove - 14 years ago

    Just because I can't afford to buy a Expensive car doesn't mean I hate all people who can. When one has less money, you go with what you can afford and unfortunately, many people settle for the backyard breeders and shelter pets cause it will save them money. These people can't afford to pay for vet visits also. So, stop bad mouthing the good people who can and want to purchase these puppies. They come with many things that a backyard breeder could only hope to do someday for their own mistake of breeding for $$$$. Many top veterinarians back up this store with quality veterinarian care. I should know. I am a vet tech, which have seen many, many happy Family Puppy customers! There is not one thing bad to say from my point of view. The mall needs customers and having family entertainment, in a family store, is a good thing for everyone. So lighten up and learn how to not be such a poor loser all of you. :)

  • puppydoglover97 - 14 years ago

    I think that this is rediculous that people find it okay to let stores exist that promote drinking and illegal drugs, but they choose to put all of thier time and energy into targeting a family owned business that is not doing anything illegal, they are just trying to make it through this recession. For all you people who sit here like "your wrong" to mention one, and constantly post things about these articles need to really get a life, anad maybe go to one of these stores and talk to their employees and see that not every pet store is a bad one.

  • Erin - 14 years ago

    Connie, I don't know where you get your "facts" from, but shelter dogs are not there just because of "behavior problems"!!! I work in animal rescue, with shelters and rescue groups alike. Most of these animals are there because of foreclosures and job loss. There are some absolutely fantastic dogs and cats in shelters and rescues. And whether you believe it or not, most pet stores DO get their puppies from puppy mills. No, not all of them, but most of them. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life. A very sad fact of life. And it has been proven that another pet store chain has falsified their puppies records to say that they are of certain pedigree. I spoke to someone recently that went to an Amish farmer "selling" puppies. It is a known puppy mill out of state. They wanted to buy a few adult shitzu's to save their lives. The farmer, who was holding one of the dogs to show them, then snapped the dogs neck in anger saying that they would never get any if his dogs. Sorry, all of you who disagree, but this is a reality and it makes me sick. I do not want to see anyone go out of busiess, but there are too many other dogs and puppies, and cats and kittens, that desperately need homes.

  • Sam - 14 years ago

    Wow this is great, I can add as many votes as I want by clearing my cookies. So I guess this is more of a poll on who wants to sit in front of a computer the longest and keep voting than a poll related to showing support.

  • That guy - 14 years ago

    Wow, that's pretty jaded.

  • This is ridiculous. - 14 years ago

    I am only 19 years old and I have helped my aunt rescue close to ten THOUSAND! DOGS alone! Not including cats, horses, etc. There is no reason that puppy mills should even still be around. COmmericial breeding should be outlawed. Sure the people at the store get a brand new puppy and it's all cute and cuddly.........then it S***s in the house and where does in go? On the street or in shelters like mine. Homeless because people are too selfish to think of the dog and not themsleves and their own self gratification..........

    AND FOR THE RECORD:
    YOUR DOG MAY BE HEALTHY BUT WHO GIVES A SHIT! HE WILL BE A HEALTHY; EATING, SLEEPING, POOPING, SHOE CHEWING PUPPY AND THANKS TO YOUR SELFISHNESS HE WILL BE ON THE STREETS OR IN MY SHELTER.......FOR BEING A HEALTHY PUPPY!!!!!

  • Jean Deegan - 14 years ago

    I feel helpless regarding these stores that sell puppy mill dogs...I can only do the little bit of not buying from the Genesee Valley store...other than that, I would not know what ever to do...

  • captain stupendous - 14 years ago

    Has anyone else noticed that this poll that they have on here is a joke? You can re-vote as many times as you want. I just voted 60 times!
    These animal rights people drive me crazy. STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO! I will buy my dog's wherever I want. My dog from the Family Puppy is VERY healthy and happy. I don't know what you haters are talking about with the "they will never tell you the dog's breeder information" crap. Every dog they have in the store comes with all the breeder's info and a 4 generation pedigree.
    Whey don't you all go INTO the store and ask some questions BEFORE you start running your mouth like you know anything. It doesn't sound like any of you have ever even been in the store, how could you possibly know what goes on there?

  • You're Wrong - 14 years ago

    Is that what you think? Yes, I know PETA thinks we all should be vegans and no one should ever own a pet. I"m not ignorant as you seem to think I am. Nor am I easily swayed. If you're so pro puppy mill then go get your pup from this store, take a chance on buying some inbred mutt who's had it's AKC papers altered. Take a chance on having it come down with numerous diseases that don't test out when they're in the store but could be spread to your family and other pets.

    Go for it. As the commercial used to say "Just Do It".

    PETA is a joke. The majority of their supporters do not know what they truly stand for. The Humane Society is pretty much just made up of a bunch of lobbying folks too. I won't tell you you're being paranoid.

    But I will tell you that there are too many animal loving people in this world who enjoy the company of their pets to let PETA and other groups get their way.

  • Realistic - 14 years ago

    Once again ignorance cloaked in good intentions rears it's ugly head.

    Have you ever thought of this issue being a pebble that triggers an avalanche? What if it doesn't stop with pet stores? Many people argue against pet ownership altogether. Organizations like PETA and the people that think like them do not want to stop at banning puppy mills, or pet stores or whatever. Their ultimate goal is to do exactly what I wrote in my previous post. If you are not careful, you may not have your pets for much longer and the hamburger you enjoyed last night could be your last.

    Don't tell me I'm paranoid. One thing leads to another in this day and age.

  • You're Wrong - 14 years ago

    You know what, Realistic? That's not what I"m saying at all. I don't care for the way our mega farms treat our food supply but I am not turning into a vegetarian over it.

    You seem to delight in interpreting people's words in a strange way. I'll make is simple for you:

    COMPANION ANIMALS LIKE THE ONE SITTING ON YOUR LAP OR BESIDE YOUR CHAIR, NEXT TO YOUR FIREPLACE OR IN HIS/HER BED AT YOUR HOUSE DO NOT DESERVE TO BE RAISED LIKE CATTLE, SWINE OR CHICKENS. MAN DOMESTICATED THEM YEARS AGO AND TRAINED THEM TO RESPOND TO OUR LOVE AND ATTENTION. THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE DEPRIVED OF THAT JUST BECAUSE OF SOMEONE"S GREED.

    THE PEOPLE WHO SELL PUPPIES RAISED IN THESE CONDITIONS ARE NOT BEING TRUTHFUL WITH THE PUBLIC AS TO THEIR ORIGINS AND ARE PLAYING ON EMOTIONS TO GET YOU TO BUY ONE. THE PUPS ARE IN DANGER OF HAVING HEALTH OR SOCIAL ISSUES LATER.

    How's that? Don't you dare try to put words in my mouth that are not what I mean.

  • Realistic - 14 years ago

    I think what the majority of voters and commenters on this site are trying to say but are to afraid to say it is this.

    "The only way to stop puppy mills is to ban the sale of puppies in this country. But why stop there, there are so many other animals that are mistreated or have the potential to be mistreated. Cats, birds, rodents, fish, reptiles and amphibians are all being held against there will and dying by the hands of their human overseers. What's worse is the willfull destruction of so called "livestock". Innocent animals bred and raised in horrible conditions just to be eaten by humans! If we are serious about our undying love for all animals then we must hope that the government will ban the ownership of all companion, exotic, and livestock animals. Nobody should be allowed to own an animal for any reason. Laboratories, farms even police forces that make so called "rescue dogs" do their dirty work should be forced to give up their animals and release them back into the wild like mother nature intended. If the potential is there for even one animal to be mistreated, then no person should be allowed to own any animal."

    This, of course is a ludicrous argument. The idea of anything like this ever happening is insane. You are all just wasting your time.

  • Really now! - 14 years ago

    Both Sides, you ask others here to check their facts. I work in the rescue industry and can tell you I check my facts every day. Every Day when I'm asked by the local authorties in OUR AREA, to help them with a cat hoarding case or a puppy mill or back yard breeder. They are still out there and they are selling to huge animal companies that in turn sell to pet stores. So if you know your background knowledge, you may find a puppy came from a huge "supplier", and you'd know that supplier gets their pets from Puppy Mills!

    I have not been to the new store, nor will I visit it or Genesee Valley while it is open! But if they do truly get their animals from a worthy place ask them to post the place of origin of each pet on the cage sign...BET they won't because it would lead to the truth!

    As for rescues/shelters, we deal daily with the over population of animals in this and nearby counties. If this petstore owner really cares, ask him to make sure all pets leave his store fixed! Since local vets will do the surgeries by two pounds already and you cannot LEAGALLY adopt a pet out under 8 weeks of age in the state of Michigan, this should be easy for him to do! We do it...so can a pet store!

    Finally, for all of you that care...join me in boycotting Gensese Valley Mall and this pet Store. Call the malls office and let them know you will not be shopping there until this store moves out! There are plenty of other places to buy clothes, etc. in this county and the surrounding ones. Money talks...let them feel the pain like the breeder dogs feel that provide the puppies to this store!

  • Both Sides - 14 years ago

    Breeders who raise multiple breeds of dogs and sell to pet stores are not "Puppy Mills" by definition. When this particular practice was brought to the public's attention in the 1980's it was quite common, but has since died out for the most part. The U.S.D.A regulates and licenses breeders and in some states it is against the law to sell puppies from non USDA licensed dog breeders. I think we all remember the under-cover videos from that era, they were shown on the evening news almost every day for months. It was a horrific, and deplorable practice. However, I challenge anyone to find a "Puppy Mill" such as these in existence today. The government has prosecuted the proprietors and shut them down.

    Also, to say that pet stores should not sell puppies because there are so many stray and unwanted dogs in shelters is a ridiculous argument. Would you tell people to stop having children because there are so many orphans? Or maybe you would ban the sale of new cars because there are so many used cars on the market? The fact is, that we live in a capitalistic society and people are free to spend there money however they wish to on whatever they wish. People have the right to own dogs just like they have the right to own a T.V. or a couch. If someone wants a dog, you can't force them to pick one from a shelter if they don't want to. If they want to spend hundreds of dollars on a purebred or designer dog from a pet store, it's their choice, it's their money. If a pet store is selling a puppy from a disreputable source, don't buy it. Vote with your wallet. The store will go out of business. Don't cast all pet stores into the same lot and slander the good name of decent people.

    I suggest that you go to the store in question as if you are a customer interested in purchasing a puppy. If the owner has nothing to hide, they should gladly show you the breeders paperwork and tell you the sources of their animals. When you know the name and location of the breeder you can call them and set up an appointment to see their facilities. Go and find out for yourself where the animals come from. Do this before you jump to conclusions or make assumptions.

  • You're wrong - 14 years ago

    Connie, why don't you tell us where his puppies come from then? Share your knowledge with us, please? I'm sorry that people who speak up for something they feel is wrong makes you sick. Maybe you can get the owner to do an article with the Journal that tells everyone where his pups come from then?

  • Connie - 14 years ago

    You do-gooders make me sick. Why is it OK for you to vote to close a legal and legitimate business that places a premium on doing things the right way? Why is it ok to persecute someone who is doing nothing wrong? You don't know this man, or his company.

    I do know John. I do known his businesses. He is passionate about providing healthy and well socialized puppies for Michigan families. He is passionate about the conditions his puppies are raised under -- and how they are cared for in his store.

    Most shelter animals do NOT come from puppy stores, but rather backyard breeders, and they are in the shelters for behavior reasons.

    Just because someone showed you a video of some horrible conditions where puppies are being raised, does not mean ALL pet shop puppies come from places like that. Please get educated. Find out the facts for yourself.

    You don't have to buy a puppy from Family Puppy -- but if you don't want to subject yourself to long waits from a hobby breeder or intense personal interrogation by the shelter vigilantes, then consider a reputable puppy store such as Family Puppy.

  • You're wrong - 14 years ago

    Both Sides, I don't buy from Walmart. I try to avoid companies that import from sweat shops or child labor places. Someone else brought up how our food supply is treated. That's horrific too and many people protest that as well.

    However, those are not the issues here. The issue is do you support the practice of puppy mills that abuse/mistreat COMPANION animals? The parents, siblings of the cute little puppy that someone buys are being mistreated, abused and neglected for their WHOLE LIFE.

    This is something that happens in our OWN country. It's something you can make a difference in.

  • Both Sides - 14 years ago

    To those out there that get on there soapbox and demand that ALL pet stores that sell puppies be shut down, I suggest that you 1.) check YOUR facts, and 2.) ask yourself why it is you abhor the practice. If it is true that ALL pet store puppies come from "Puppy Mills", you are justified in your avoidance of these stores. But have you ever asked yourself where other goods that you purchase come from? How many of you shop at Big Box Stores such as Wal-Mart and Target? When was the last time you purchased an item of clothing made in the U.S.A. by well paid workers? Buying a shirt or pair of pants made by sweat shop children in third-world countries is worst than buying a puppy from a pet store. Are you so much more concerned with the well being of animals that you would ignore the plight of an entire class of human beings. Get your priorities straight and stop being so hypocritical.

  • You're wrong - 14 years ago

    By the way, this poll is flawed. You can vote more than once, you just have to wait more than 4 hours.

  • susan brown - 14 years ago

    NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!!! IF YOU LOVE ANIMALS, DON'T BUY FROM A STORE.

  • Terri - 14 years ago

    There are so many purebred dogs available that also need homes, why put the money into the pockets of those who don't care where these animals end up when you can save a healthy puppy from being euthanized whose only fault was being brought into a world where there are already not enough homes. If you don't want to adopt through a rescue or a shelter (though both are for animals going to good homes there is a differences between the 2, please do research to know the difference) then find a reputable breeder, one that will always take the dog back, who does care about the well-being of the animals. If people are insistent on a pure breed check out petfinder dot come.

    And please remember to SPAY & NEUTER your pets.

  • Dogmama - 14 years ago

    Please help to close this store! I am a volunteer for a local shelter and have seen what it does to poor dogs to be bred over and over for profit. They are totally shut down after being stuck in small cages and used over and over. Please ask these people to tell you the exact breeder before even considering purchasing a puppy. Will they tell you? Can you go see the facility that the puppy was bred in?
    If you must get a pure bred check out the pure bred rescue sites or if you feel it absolutely must be from a breeder at least go meet the mom and dad dogs. Are they stuck in little cages or are they family pets. Even with a lot of 'so called' good breeders their dogs are only for that purpose and not loved and cared for the way they deserve.
    All this said, the most important reason you should get your pet from a shelter is the HUGE number of wonderful animals that are killed every year due to lack of space. Even purebreds!
    To the person who got a healthy puppy from this store, congratulations! You are probably one of the minority. I'm glad it worked out. Now if something happens and you can't keep it once it is grown, is the pet store going to take it back and get it adopted out for you? Don't say that will never happen because in this economy it is happening every minute of every day!

  • You're wrong - 14 years ago

    my name here: Where did they get their puppies from then? Since they were your friend, I would assume you know where?

    And, this is not a local business. Yes, it's a MI business, if that's what you mean, but not local. And the fact that he misled people before about his source for puppies just screams to me that he's not credible.

    Again, where did your friend get purebred puppies for their store?

  • my name here - 14 years ago

    while some pet stores get dogs from puppy mills, not all do! I don't know about this pet store, but not all pet stores should be bad mouthed because of some bad eggs. I know people who got into the pet industry because they loved animals and wanted to try to turn the industry around. For example, I know someone who opened a pet store because they did not have the money to become a vet, but still wanted to work with animals, and they have never gotten a puppy from a puppy mill. Get to know the owners of your local pet shop, if they are good people, support a local buisness!

  • tompor - 14 years ago

    Really, 99.9% of all pet stores selling puppies get them from puppy mills! You people need to check YOUR FACTS. Do not support the totally uncaring breeding of dogs, with no consideration of health. These puppy mills don't care if there are genetic problems with their breeders.

  • You're wrong - 14 years ago

    I did check my facts. A minimum of less that 2 years ago, this man's other pet stores were using puppy mills as a source for their puppies. He denied using them 2 years ago.
    If someone does something and LIES about it 2 years ago, you can bet that they know it's not right.
    He's using the same tactics he used back then to get people to feel sorry for him. He is NOT a local business man, he has several stores south of Genesee County. He is just one very business savvy person, kind of like a politician who is good at spreading b.s.
    Why should I believe he's changed? To him, it's the "same old, same old".

    Let him show me differently.

  • Heidi - 14 years ago

    You should have facts before you bad mouth ALL pet stores! Just because Oprah said all pet stores sell Puppy Mill puppies doesn't mean it's correct or true!

  • rescue a pet - 14 years ago

    I am really disappointed a pet store opened @ Genesee Valley, it's so sad. The dog and cat population in Genesee county is so high, there are so many loving companions at the animal control and the Humane Society that need responsible, loving homes. As an adopter of retired racing greyhounds, greyhound foster mom and volunteer in the greyhound rescue and adoption community, it's really frustrating when you see stores like the Family Puppy open in your community when you invest so much of your time in animal rescue and adoption.
    I would NEVER consider buying a dog from a pet store. First of all, it's ridiculous to spend that kind of money to buy a pet. Second, if you have your heart set on a purebred, adopt from a purebred rescue. There are all kinds and the adoption donation is very reasonable. When you opt to adopt -- you are saving a life!

  • you're wrong - 14 years ago

    Sweetie, I"m glad your puppy has had no problems and I pray that it stays that way. But, do me a favor. Look at your breeding papers and see where your puppy dog came from. Was it somewhere here in MI that he was bred? Who does it list as his breeder?

    ALL dogs in pet stores come from commercial breeders, which is another way of saying puppy mill.

  • xela - 14 years ago

    they should stay open because they do not get there dogs from puppy mills i bought a dog from their and i have no health problems withy him what so ever.

    so keep up the good work John Stottele!!!!!!!!

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