In response to "the Petland -- question" about concrete evidence that Petland gets puppies from puppy mills-an excellent question. Dateline NBC did an undercover investigation on Petland in April of 2000. Copies of the video are available from PETA and possibly from NBC. Dateline visited Petland's puppy mills and filmed dogs that were not let out of their filthy, small cages. The dogs had conditions such as mange, open wounds, rotted teeth, and collars embedded into their necks. Aggressive dogs were housed in the same cages as timid dogs. The dogs were crazy from confinement and lack of any human contact. Some dogs were running furiously in circles in their cages because that was their only form of exercise and they had become stir crazy from chronic confinement . Some dogs loose limbs because they get caught on the chicken wire cages. Some dogs were dead in the cages. Dateline also discussed why Petland's use of AKC and USDA as selling points is meaningless. We strongly recommend this video. Anyone who cares about animals on any level must see the Dateline video. The fact that NBC was not sued by Petland for this expose is 100% proof that Petland does indeed get their puppies from puppy mills. Anyone not guilty of such inhumane ethics would have sued.
Evidence against any Petland, is very strong. We are 100 percent sure that many Petlands get their puppies from the Hunte, corp. Look up Hunte Corp. on the Web to see that they do not hide the fact that they deal with "high volume breeders" in the Midwest, which are puppy mills. In addition, we have spoken to local vets, former employees, customers, and trainers, who tell us Petland puppies are sickly and have major behavioral problems. Ask your own vet what they think about buying pet store puppies. If you visit Petland, you will see for yourself that puppies are kept in small, cages, often sitting in their own feces. Many with bloody stools and discharge coming from their eyes. This is only a small indication of the dramatic and extremely high volume of medical illnesses these puppies will endure in their lifetime. (not to mention the heartache their owners will endure) The feet of puppies fall through wire mesh floors, and they can only hobble painfully around their cages. Many Petlands violate anti-cruelty laws and receive warnings from various animal protection agencies. By law, the puppies are supposed to have a solid resting platform large enough to rest on comfortably.
Petland directly contributes to the homeless pet crisis and the overflow of animal at Winnebago County Animal Services. ("and other high kill dog pounds" throughout the country) We include in this kittens rabbits, birds, reptiles and other animals.
The number one resolution next to spay neutering is to abolish pet stores. The Humane society of America states that we are killing 7 million dogs and cats in this country alone. If you find this a radical concept, pull up the next link:: http://hometown.aol.com/sixunleash/DoggieInTheWindow.html
