Pet Planet advocates responsible pet acquisition and guardianship--therefore we do not sell animals. Over-population of unwanted and genetically unhealthy animals is a direct result of the irresponsible breeding and selling of pets. No responsible breeder of any animal ever sells to retail pet stores. They would never allow strangers to purchase their animals.

According to No Puppy Mills Canada, 10 million "excess" dogs and cats will be killed in shelters this year. These are not animals that are sick, very old, or have temperament problems that make them unadoptable. These are healthy, happy, and well adjusted animals that, through no fault of their own, nobody wants. Statistically, most of them are between 7 and 14 months old. Realizing the full power of education, Pet Planet intends to positively impact these ugly facts. Our goal is to eventually eliminate the tragedy of backyard breeders and pet mills and the impulse buying of puppies, kittens and other animals either directly from these irresponsible breeders or through the pet stores that support them.

It is essential for families to research responsible breeders and their breeding practices, as well as research the adoption option when considering adding a pet to their clan. Acquiring an animal is a long term investment in a member of your family and should never be considered on a whim.

Pet stores have been accused of getting their puppies and kittens from pet mills, but this is not necessarily true of some stores. However, they do get their animals from backyard breeders and commercial kennels/catteries or brokers who are in the business to sell puppies and kittens, not to provide information that will help buyers make good selections. The puppies and kittens are a commodity to them. Chances are slim that pets from these sources come from animals that have been tested for the genetic diseases common to their breeds. Hip x-rays, blood tests, and eye certifications cost money, and those costs could not be passed through the chain to the pet store without adding considerably to the cost. These breeders are also unlikely to consider the reproductive health of the parents when making breeding decisions.

Some pet stores buy puppies and kittens locally directly from backyard breeders who produce a few litters from one or more breeds each year. These people supplement their income by selling puppies and kittens and are spared the difficulties of interviewing prospective buyers or keeping unsold pets.

Many customers look for a pet in a pet shop or from a backyard breeder because "I'm looking for a family pet, not a show dog or cat." They buy a pretty baby and end up with an animal that may grow to be dramatically larger or smaller than they anticipated, have a poor temperament or erratic behavior patterns. Many stores sell "purebred type" or "unregistered purebred" (which is a federal offence according to the Animal Pedigree Act) pets to families looking for a specific breed of pet. These families usually end up with a dog or cat that exhibits one or more physical attributes that violate the breed standard, and is simply not the pet they thought they were buying. Most importantly, pet store animals are not produced with careful thought to their genetic health, and may be inbred, suffering from other genetic defects or predispositions to disease. Often, these dogs and cats are not spayed or neutered, and they wind up producing more litters that have even more physical and mental difficulties than they do.

Those who find a puppy or kitten in a pet store and do not want to search for a responsible breeder should still ask questions before signing the check or the charge slip. Here are a few:

1. Where did these puppies/kittens come from? "A responsible local breeder" is an evasion, not an answer. Insist on finding out exactly where this puppy/kitten was produced. If they won't tell you - walk away.
2. Does the kennel/cattery insist on genetic clearances for breeding stock?
3. Can I get a copy of the eye and hip certifications?
4. What health problems are common to this breed?
5. What happens to the puppies/kittens you don't sell? Are they sent to outside rescue groups? Resold through the store's in-house "rescue program", (which may be simply a "discount bin" for puppies/kittens that are not as cute anymore, or that have been returned to the store for various reasons)? Euthanized? Returned to the broker? Don't accept "we always keep every puppy/kitten until it is sold"; pet stores are in the business to make money, and merchandise that sits on the shelf too long is a liability.

At a minimum, a pet store should have the answers to these questions. If the pet store clerk does not, (or if you are unsure that you have received accurate information from the clerk, remember, they usually have a sales quota to fulfill in order to keep their job!), do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. Otherwise, you may get stuck with a puppy or kitten that grows into a dog or cat that is unsuitable for your family or circumstances. This is not to say that a good pet has never come out of a pet store, as many have, but for each that has, many more have not.

Are you considering a new addition to your family? Ensure you visit this site's Pet Education Centre, where we devote an entire library to Responsible Pet Acquisition. Her you will find the important information that prospective pet guardians need to know before making the big decision of what pet to get and from where.