the pet stores in my area do not offer dogs or cats for sale. They have adoption networks come in with dogs about once a week though. They also adopt out cats, nearly all are full grown. it doesn't bother me to see the cats in the cages because they are not for sale, but for adoption. The adoption agencies have certain requirements for the people adopting the animals and having them visible in the pet store means they will be adopted sooner than if they were just as the pound.
Plus they are always in nice big cages that are clean. I am sure this is much better than where they were previously.

I would never-ever BUY a dog/cat from a petstore. I know they need to be saved but that isn't the way to do that! I always feel that giving the pet store money just makes it worse. My dog is from a petstore. We adopted him from his owner who was moving, so we were able to save him without giving the stupid store money! He has alot of healthy problems too, however he has such a wonderful personality! I wouldn't trade him for the world!

I won't go into any store that sells cats, dogs, rabbits, etc.

I do, however, go into PETCO because they have a section where local animal advocacy groups have cats & kittens and dogs & puppies for adoption.

You're not alone. This week Cody and I took a walk downtown. I live rural so I have to drive to walk him. Anyway I went into a pet store just to look around. Not only was the place crowded and smelled bad but there was this adorable shih tzu just begging for attention. I could have scooped her right up and brought her home. They had some other pups but this one was right out in front. I know he hazards of pet store adoptions but it's so hard to leave them there unloved and unwanted.

It sounds like sue isn't talking about pet stores that 'sell' animals from puppy/cat mills. The cat sue describes must be from an adoption - broken jaw, ringworm.

I understand what you mean about that. DH and I stopped at Pet Smart just before Christmas on a whim. We were looking at all the cats up for adoption. He liked a pair of boys that we thought must have been from the same litter as they were all snuggled up together - but one was just over a year and one was under. They were so cute. Much easier for me to resist, though, as with three already we couldn't possibly bring in two more. Plus I was sure someone would adopt them - hopefully as a pair.

The one that got to me was a sweet girl cat named Voilet. I think she was over a year old. I was looking at her and she made direct eye contact with me and just melted my heart. Here it is a month or more later and I still think of her. I hope she went into a good home - she looked so sweet!

If I read this a few months ago I would have said that I hadn't seen a pet store selling puppies in 20 years but I did recently come across a petland kind of tucked away in a shopping center than I don't go to often. I wouldn't go in there and actually buy anything as I think it's not really responsible to mass produce and sell puppies in this fashion and I much prefer to give my money to the stores that don't sell puppies. Even if I had to drive a lot farther or order online. It's 2007 and the pet supply industry should know better.

This is a little off subject but not, since it has to do with rescueing a dog. When I was in the 6th grade, a friend and I found a whole liter of puppies that someone threw out in the woods edge. We brought all of them home, I kept one, friend kept one and dad got the rest to a rescue shelter. These puppies were too small to eat, we had to feed ours "Lucky"(as in lucky to be found) with a dropper. She seemed to know that she had been saved, and for many years was my best friend. She lived until I was 24 years old and I loved her every day of it, even after I left home and went to visit her. When I was younger, a few years after finding her, I used to walk the woods with her. She would follow me for a long ways, and I swear I would get completely lost each time. At some point she would take over the lead, always looking back to see where I was. If I was too far behind she would come back to me, if I wasn't to far she would stop and wait for me to catch up. Then before too long we would always end up at home and never too late. When I was older and had a dirt bike she would follow me when I rode. I would keep watch over her and make sure she was close. I stopped at every pond, etc. and let her swim and drink, and always packed some food for both of us, since we usually stayed most of the day. We would stop by a pond and eat sandwiches, then she would swim, then we'd go again. The stories like this go on and on, and sitting here now thinking of her is bringing tears to my eyes. She was the greatest dog ever in my life, and for many years my best friend. We moved around a lot and all in all I had very few friends during my childhood. She will forever hold a very special place in my heart, and I trully hope dogs go to heaven so I can see her again. I think rescued animals make the best pets, cause they trully do love you for what you've done for them.

damn, ur going to get my tearing up Jca1!!!

I do not shop at pet shops who sell puppies and kittens.

I wish Petsmart and Petco didn't sell small mammals, fish, birds and reptiles but at least they support the local animal shelters with adoptions.

I hope that every single one of you has, had, or will have a "lucky" in your life. Don't be afraid to bring a ole' "soonner" rescue pet home. They just may add a little light to your life.

I will not give a pet store that sells pets one cent of my money, I refuse to support the store because I refuse to support a puppy mill of any sort.

I also will not support any store who sells puppies and kittens. I buy everything at Petsmart. Five of my eight cats are rescued strays who I found on the street, but two were adopted by me just going to Petsmart to buy litter. I saw a tiny tortie who reminded me of a cat I lost, and a few years later I found a Russian blue girl, one of a set of twins. She is the light of my life. Unfortunately her sister died of feline leukemia diagnosed at a later time.

I'am just like you!!! My husband actually forbid me to go in Petstores because he was unsure how to console me every time we did I would bawl like a baby the rest of the night!

My daughter does too,so he is left with two crying females (poor guy,LOL)

It is terribly heartbreaking,all those animals looking at you like,"Please Get me out of here!"

We actually have no pet stores around here at all anymore.We have one petstore in like 3 counties that I know of.The rest are Petsmarts.
And Petsmart,I was told,NEVER have their animals given back or put down.I was told those animals would stay there and die of old age if they werent adopted.

jcal,

I 'do' have a Lucky. After having just 2 dogs, and one 'going away' the one that was left went into a deep state of depression. I vowed then to never have that happen again, so thought it was best to have and always keep 3.

I was vacationing out of state, and was visiting a flea market. There I ran across a loving lady who rescued dogs, and attempted to find good homes for them.

I was looking for a dog, and the dog I got was looking for and needing a good home. Seems we both got 'lucky' so the name 'Lucky' seemed most appropriate. She is a lab/chow mix, that has brought me so much joy.
Sue