I'm mostly asking because I'm curious. Practically everybody I've known has purchased their pet for some exorbitant price (puppies are in the thousands!) at a pet shop, and I've never really understood why. I mean...how do you select a companion (by how cute it looks? by its personality?) and why purchase it when there are tons of strays at the shelter who need a home?
What do you think of pet shops?
Submitted by pastoralia on July 11, 2008 - 8:10pm.
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Re: What do you think of pet shops?
July 11, 2008 - 8:32pm
I'm a firm believer in getting pets from a rescue. There are so many pets out there that just need a home. I would also encourage those that are looking for a certain breed to check out if there is a rescue for that breed. You would be surprised there are many rescues that deal with certain breeds. Now I would not ever judge someone from purchasing a dog as they are atleast providing a home to a animal but I agree please check out the shelters. To many sweet animals are destroyed for lack of a home - its quite sad. Also I know that everyone when getting a pet goes for the cute puppy or kitty. Think about the older ones. Hey look at it as a bonus they are already potty trained plus they already have there personality so you can see if its a good fit!
Also if you really love animals then think about being a foster parent: Critter Foster Parent
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Re: What do you think of pet shops?
July 11, 2008 - 8:30pm
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Re: What do you think of pet shops?
July 12, 2008 - 9:41am
cocker spanels live for a long time.... my neighbors have a female cocker named "canela" and she is 17 human years old! and she still keeps up with my lab .. who gives her a big work out..
yes! Tibet was 15 human years. this is her a few weeks before we had to send her to the big dog biscuit in the sky:
Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat! 
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Re: What do you think of pet shops?
July 11, 2008 - 8:20pm
the only dog we actually paid for was from a US chain that are usually based in malls. we made this purchase simple because we wanted a papered, good pedigree buff color female cocker spaniel. she was the runt. couldn't walk out of the store w/out making her mine. she was 6 weeks old, just came from the breeder, a local one. she was born january 30, 1992. we had to put her to sleep 17 December 2007. one of the most difficult choices i ever had to make but her cancer and tumors were begining to reach the floor. so, my selfishness wanted to keep her forever. my mind prevailed as it was the right thing to do to end her suffering. she lived way beyond her life expectancy. we were blessed to have her as long as we did. so, that is my reason to buy from a store. there was a specific breed, color and good genes we wanted. oh, in 1992 we paid $200 for her at the store in the mall.
Tuna ><((((*> the other white meat!
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