Update:NO MORE! Group Wants to Stop the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Petland

[Flash Walken]

I want buddy.

[Cowperson]

After losing Abby & Keeper, two 12 year-old Golden's in November, we bought Ruby (below) off Kijiji . . . . . then an article a few weeks later in the Herald told of the sometimes scams and profiteering coming out of situations like that.

We don't regret that decision, however, as we were Ruby's third home in her 15 months of life and the family surrendering her to us were nice enough but genuintely clueless as to how to look after a dog. Ruby had an untreated ear infection, no muscle mass from lack of exercise, was unspayed, had matted hair and hair that was wiry and falling out from improper nutrition as well as no winter coat from not getting outside. The husband was allergic to Ruby, the wife had a degenerative condition in her hands that was weakening her ability to walk Ruby and the daughter was sort of vacant. They kept the Shih-Tzu they had, the one they happily said pees on the hardwood floor. Doofusses.

It's been about five weeks now and Ruby is filling out, her hair is exploding and now has a puppy down, soft kind of feel, a remarkable change. She's been spayed and runs, runs, runs . . . . . and is a delight to date. Her physical appearance changed remarkably for the better while we were away two weeks to Hawaii and we are told to expect more.



To be honest, if we were looking for another Golden, probably around one or two years of age where the current owners didn't want him/her, I'd probably still peruse Kijiji ads as they are by far, from what I've seen, the place where you are most likely to see opportunities on a week by week basis if you are being breed specific, particularly for a Golden - which is both sad but also energizing. But the article in the Herald would certainly make me more wary and alert as to the background of the people you'd be picking them up from. Definitely go to their house and see whats up instead of meeting someone in a parking lot.

Abby was an original from a breeder but Keeper was an owner surrender acquired through out vet. Polly, our two-footed cat, was facing euthenasia after abuse in a pet store while I was looking at a $1,600 bill to save her life one day after meeting her and her five kittens. Western Veterinary cut that bill in half by donating their surgical time, without our asking. We kept one of her kittens, Skyler. Daisy and Maude are also rescue cats, feral and washed up on a nearby acreage and near starvation.

Even without her back feet - she has back legs - Polly can still catch mice. She's outside only with constant human supervision. She once visited the same doctors who devise prosthetics/casts for the Flames but alas, her grumpy nature made her reject their efforts.



We count Ruby as a rescue in our minds, given the situation she came from, so all of our animals are basically rescues.

On another matter, I thought Petland put up a pretty spirited defence of themselves in the Herald a few days ago.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Pe...943/story.html

Cowperson

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

It's been about five weeks now and Ruby is filling out, her hair is exploding and now has a puppy down, soft kind of feel, a remarkable change. She's been spayed and runs, runs, runs . . . . . and is a delight to date. Her physical appearance changed remarkably for the better while we were away two weeks to Hawaii and we are told to expect more.

Cowperson

You date your dog?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by fredr123

From what I was told, they have a list of breeders all over Alberta that they get puppies from. No single breeder, obviously, provides puppies to them on a year round basis.

I just wanted to point out that some of the stores are independently owned and operated. Stories like the MSNBC link above may or may not apply to them. It is, of course, entirely possible that the independent stores could be worse than the corporate stores.

No true reputable breeder will sell to a pet store. Pet Paradise is the same thing here, a bunch of supposed "purebreds" and weird mixes at ridiculous prices and kept in seriously poor conditions. As someone mentioned before, petfinder.com is an excellent resource or visit your local Humane Society. If you wish to acquire a purebred then find one registered with the Canadian Kennel Club so you can be more assured you are getting your dog from a serious breeder and not some puppy mill running a-hole.

[Dawghaus]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Great idea!! but what a horrible website or lack of it.

Just wondering, what's your issue with the website? Looks good to me! www.actionsspeakloudercalgary.ca.

Also - guess they just found out from the Expo organizers that they aren't allowed to have the petition at their booth...too political. I suspect certain other exhibitors had a hand in that one.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

I have something to say on this subject, speaking from experience.

Hannah is about the sweetest, most loving, well behaved dog in the world. She is truly the best pet. We raised her since she was just a tiny puppy and she's never been 'punished' physically. We don't believe in hitting any animal, period, for any reason.

As a fellow wheaten owner, I think the comparison between the wheaten and pretty much any other breed is unfair - they are fairly unbelievable when it comes to how affectionate they are.

[Dion]

Here's a link to a video that shows where my brother got his rescue dog from.

Karen Good runs, Red Lake Rosies rescue for cats and dogs in Minnesota. She was honoured for giving all animals a fighting chance.

http://www.kare11.com/video/default....1/834679152001

[FlamesAddiction]

I'm not talking specifically about anyone here, but I find that most people I know who promote the "adaopt a rescue dog" cause, already have at least one purebred animal of their own.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Dawghaus

Just wondering, what's your issue with the website? Looks good to me! www.actionsspeakloudercalgary.ca.

Also - guess they just found out from the Expo organizers that they aren't allowed to have the petition at their booth...too political. I suspect certain other exhibitors had a hand in that one.

This was a dead link when i first started the thread.

Well i guess i'm saving $18 this weekend.

hmmm guess you can't sign it online still. Here are the list of stores where you can sign up. Hmmm surprised Fairplay and Pet Smart are not on here.


Where to Sign The Petition

SE

BowDog Canine Specialists http://www.bowdog.ca
6909 Farrell Road SE

Pet Planet - Cranston Market
http://www.petplanet.ca
4032, 356 Cranston Road SE

Pet Planet - McKenzie Towne http://www.petplanet.ca
210, 11 McKenzie Towne Avenue SE

Tails A Waggin' Pet Grooming #36, 7740 - 18 Street SE

River's Edge Water & Ice #34, 7740 - 18 Street SE

No Bowndaries Pet World http://nobowndariespetworld.com/
420, 8338 - 18 Street SE

The Barking Lot 22 Midlake Blvd SE
(403) 256-2095
NW

Pet Planet - Crowfoot
http://www.petplanet.ca
327, 150 Crowfoot Crescent NW

Pet Planet - Brentwood
http://www.petplanet.ca
3630 Brentwood Village NW

Pet Planet - Creekside
http://www.petplanet.ca
10, 12030 Symons Valley Road NW

Pet Valu
http://www.petvalu.com
162, 8888 Country Hills Blvd NW

AtomicDog Inc.
http://www.atomicdogsupply.com/
121, 4611 Bowness Road NW

NE

Especially for Pets
http://www.especially4pets.com
436 - 16 Avenue NE

Sleep Rover Doggie Hotel & Daycare
http://www.sleeprover.ca
99 Skyline Crescent NE

Pet Planet - Country Hills
http://www.petplanet.ca
450 Country Hills Blvd NE

Pet Planet - Saddleridge
http://www.petplanet.ca
70 Saddletown Circle NE

Muttley Crue Dog Grooming & Daycare
http://www.muttleycrue.ca
813 - 1 Avenue NE

SW

Dogma Training & Pet Services
http://www.dogmatraining.com
515, 515 - 70 Avenue SW

Unleashed
http://unleasheddogs.net
2917 - 14 Street SW

Pet Planet - Douglas Square
http://www.petplanet.ca
11520 - 24 Street SW

Pet Planet - Southwood Corner
http://www.petplanet.ca
10233 Elbow Drive SW

Pet Planet - Millrise Plaza
http://www.petplanet.ca
3117, 150 Millrise Blvd SW

Pet Planet - Glenmore Landing
http://www.petplanet.ca
A130, 1600 - 90 Avenue SW

Pet Planet - Aspen Landing
http://www.petplanet.ca
128, 306 Aspen Glen Landing SW

Optimal Pet Foods
http://www.optimalpetfoods.com
428, 1919 Sirocco Drive SW

Rocky Mountain Tails Pet Shop & Spa
http://www.rockymountaintails.ca
480, 5255 Richmond Road SW

TR-iffic Trims Dog Grooming
Cedarbrae, SW
(403) 801-0896

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm not talking specifically about anyone here, but I find that most people I know who promote the "adaopt a rescue dog" cause, already have at least one purebred animal of their own.

I don't see anything wrong with that. Alot of people who adopt kids already have kids of their own already.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm not talking specifically about anyone here, but I find that most people I know who promote the "adaopt a rescue dog" cause, already have at least one purebred animal of their own.

Which is fine as they probably have a relationship with a breeder.

Folks who work with rescue dog's or promote rescue dogs have a tendancy to have many "dogs".

They will adopt at least one dog, as they probably were a foster home for dogs at one point....

[fundmark19]

We fostered a puppy from pawsitive match and what a great experience. She was flown in from mexico vet checked and 48 hours later in our house. My other two dogs weren't so fond of her for a while but came around towards the end of the week. She found a quick home and was gone a week after we got her. Anyone who is looking to foster or buy a dog from a shelter I highly reccomend checking them out. It was a great experience

[SeeBass]

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

As a fellow wheaten owner, I think the comparison between the wheaten and pretty much any other breed is unfair - they are fairly unbelievable when it comes to how affectionate they are.

My wife wants us to pick up a Wheaten when our son is a little bit older. Can you recommend a breeder or place to look at?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

We fostered a puppy from pawsitive match and what a great experience. She was flown in from mexico vet checked and 48 hours later in our house. My other two dogs weren't so fond of her for a while but came around towards the end of the week. She found a quick home and was gone a week after we got her. Anyone who is looking to foster or buy a dog from a shelter I highly reccomend checking them out. It was a great experience

Yep we have fostered quite a few dogs.... its always fun.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm not talking specifically about anyone here, but I find that most people I know who promote the "adaopt a rescue dog" cause, already have at least one purebred animal of their own.

We've adopted two rescue dogs, neither are purebred's and they're wonderful animals. I still don't understand why people feel the need to shell out over $1000 to a breeder when there's a lot of good shelter dogs that need a home

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by The Goon

My wife wants us to pick up a Wheaten when our son is a little bit older. Can you recommend a breeder or place to look at?

We got ours from Amanda Hunt in Stavely, based on a recommendation from another owner in the neighborhood. We were extremely happy with the care, concern, and general love of the breed that was evident.

Wheatens are awesome dogs with kids - when we got the dog, our youngest was a year and a half, and we had a baby since, and there have been zero issues, other than the occasional stolen cookie.

[Bertuzzied]

Yay! Petland is phasing out selling kittens and puppies in their stores! Good news for everyone. Well except the last lots of the puppymills....

http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Pe...892/story.html

[Ducay]

Sad thing is they're losing a huge number of sales to Kijiji; which has allowed any moron to be a "breeder". I know of 2 sketchy friends-of-friends who have sold puppies for $200+ each that were a result of not getting their dog spayed and coming home preggers one day. Essentially they're phasing out Petland's debatable suppliers for homegrown debatable suppliers.

Still a good move none-the-less, as long as it stops a single pet from being an impulse purchase its a solid decision

[Clarkey]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

I have something to say on this subject, speaking from experience.

We bought Hannah at a pet store, a very reputable place. She is a Wheaton Terrier, here is a pic:



Then we bought Hank, a German Wire Haired Pointer, from a rescue place about 3 1/2 years ago, and he's now around 8 or 9 years old, we're not really sure.



Hannah is about the sweetest, most loving, well behaved dog in the world. She is truly the best pet. We raised her since she was just a tiny puppy and she's never been 'punished' physically. We don't believe in hitting any animal, period, for any reason.

Well let me tell ya, Hank has been a nightmare. The first week we had him he gave me a warning shot/nipped at me, and I was really worried he'd do the same to the kids so it was touch and go for awhile. He was scared to death of being in a new place with new people. He was obviously extremely abused before he got to us. He has ripped up my house on more than one occasion and eaten things that no animal should be alive after eating, including glass, at least 10 leashes, plastic, shoes, coats, clothing and just yesterday he got into my pantry downstairs and ate about $200 worth of groceries and he has a terrible belly ache today! We have to lock every door in our home whenever we leave him. He cannot be kenneled. We bought a shoreline kennel which is as big as a refrigerator and he broke out of the steel welding in about 2 hours, had 157 stitches and my house looked as if someone were murdered. Now, we are not giving up on Hank. (Boy I could have a couple of times though) He's on vet prescribed anti-depressants (I am not kidding), and we're told he's so well adjusted compared to what he used to be. He has extreme separation anxiety, but as you can see in the picture, he is very loving and extremely sweet (as long as he isn't alone).

I would NEVER get a 'rescue' animal again, especially one with so many issues. It's been very stressful, and unless you have a LOT of patience, I would go with a puppy. True, not all 'stores' are the greatest, but you can find really good breeders that have great reputations. Never ever go to a pound/rescue place and fall in love with a dog and take it home the first day. It's not fair on you, or the dog, if you don't know it's history. If you raise the dog as a puppy, there really shouldn't be any surprises.

I am sure there are thousands of stories of rescue animals being the greatest things ever. I am just saying, mine turned out okay, but it's been really hard and you have to know what you're getting into.

I love both my dogs, but I really didn't know what I was getting into with Hank. It's taken a lot of hard work from my whole family to get him to where he is today. (In a Flames sweater!)

Those are interesting dog choices....