Oliver, the puppy Rachel Schweiger purchased from Petland Waterford Lakes, is in her arms. The dog died within a year. (Courtesy of Rachel Schweiger).
In 2018, John Matthews spent $3,100 on a silver-coated Labrador puppy. His entire family fell in love with it, and the following day, he went back with his adult son to purchase a second puppy.
But before they even left the store, that dog, a tiny female named Luna, began to throw up. Advertisement.
Former police officer Matthews, 54, who now works for the federal government, claimed that the woman vomited twice in a period of 30 minutes. “The salespeople were like, ‘Oh, this happens all the time. When the puppies finally meet their forever family, they simply become very excited. ’ It was total bull. ”.
Luna, who was only 11 weeks old, passed away in six days after being admitted to the hospital, having an X-ray, and receiving oxygen and intravenous antibiotics. Advertisement.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office last month took the unusual step of suing the Petland store and its owners for what it called “a scheme to misrepresent” puppies with a variety of illnesses and congenital health problems using “deceptive” sales tactics and frequently high-interest financing. Matthews is now one of 19 customers who are cooperating with the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
The lawsuit comes after years of complaints that the store was selling puppies for thousands of dollars that were from puppy mills rather than the AKC-registered breeders the store promoted, including to the Better Business Bureau and Orange County Animal Services.
Customers alleged that their animals had canine parvovirus, intestinal parasites, bacterial pneumonia, bowel obstructions, blindness, abnormalities of the heart and lungs, deformed spines, and severe joint issues.
Six of the 19 dogs mentioned in the attorney general’s lawsuit passed away soon after being purchased.
Geoff Hoofnagle and Ben Hoofnagle, the store’s owners, and the store itself did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Additionally, the lawsuit has not yet received a legal response. However, all complaints made to Petland’s owners “have been resolved in accordance with the store’s warranty and Florida law,” according to Elizabeth Kunzelman, director of public affairs at Petland’s national corporate office. ”.
“Petland, Inc. believes that its Orlando Waterford Lakes store complied with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and company policies,” she said, adding that the company is independently owned and operated.
While the Waterford Lakes store is the subject of the state’s lawsuit, Petland’s national chain, the only national retailer in the nation to still sell puppies, is also facing criticism.
The Humane Society of the United States petitioned the Federal Trade Commission ten days after the Florida lawsuit to deem the marketing strategies Petland “regularly” employs as “unfair or deceptive.” They include “labeling puppies as vet-checked, healthy, health-guaranteed or health-certified and/or falsifying or misrepresenting veterinary records,” according to the petition. ”.
“A vast majority of our pet stores and partnering USDA-licensed breeders are regulated at either the local, state, or federal level and often by all three,” said Kunzelman, calling the petition a “publicity stunt” by the Humane Society. ”.
However, John Goodwin, senior director of the Humane Society’s Stop Puppy Mills Campaign, claims that there are loopholes that have allowed Petland to profit from sick animals, such as by providing warranties that are tainted by exclusions and limitations.
According to him, the process begins with a high-volume commercial dog breeding operation where mother dogs are frequently bred and receive little care. Advertisement.
Puppies are first transported by truck to a broker, a middleman who purchases from several breeders, and then by truck once more to pet stores.
According to Goodwin, who is citing undercover investigations by his organization, “They start in Missouri or Iowa or someplace in the Midwest and they’re driven to Florida — with lots of stops at pet stores along the way.” “With all these young animals and their immature immune systems, the drive is long and stressful.” Waste builds up beneath them because they are all breathing the same air and aren’t being walked on. These puppies’ numerous health issues are not at all surprising. ”.
Since Moody sued Petland Waterford Lakes on May 18, additional clients have come forward and lodged comparable grievances with the attorney general’s office against the retailer.
The Great Dane puppy Amanda Pyka-Diaz of Orlando purchased there in 2017 was given a clean bill of health by the store’s recommended veterinarian, but was later diagnosed with pneumonia and spent 10 days in a veterinary hospital, according to Pyka-Diaz.
“He was my son’s birthday gift,” Pyka-Diaz said. “They sold me this package of products they said I needed after the dog was $3,001 and change.” The total was about $4,500. ”.
But on his birthday, she claimed that her son waited for the dog to be released from the shelter rather than spending time with his brand-new puppy. Advertisement.
Yet Pyka-Diaz claims she was lucky. She claimed that after numerous calls, the shop paid for her vet bills. Three years later, the dog, named Shadow, is still alive despite having severe skin allergies and inherited eye issues.
Other buyers say they did not fare as well. Meagan Terry, a local of Oviedo and a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida, purchased a puppy from the shop in January. Two days later, Terry said, the dog began vomiting blood.
“I had to make the difficult decision to put her down, and she ended up staying in the hospital for a week, [but] her health was not improving,” she said.
According to Terry, Petland only reimbursed her for $1,900 of her $6,000 veterinary bill and did not pay for the $3,200 puppy.
Because her sister was employed there in April 2019, Rachel Schweiger, a 26-year-old former veterinary technician from Fort Lauderdale, drove to the Waterford Lakes store. Advertisement.
She told me about a puppy that had been very expensive but was now only $1,600 because she knew I wanted a Dalmatian, said Schweiger. “My sister said, ‘Yeah, he comes with a warranty. ’”.
But two days after bringing him home, Schweiger started to worry that the dog’s thirst that seemed insatiable and his strange-looking urine meant trouble. She took him to the veterinarian, who recommended a specialist.
She revealed that the puppy had bilateral kidney dysplasia, a genetic condition that causes the kidneys to be underdeveloped and unable to develop along with the dog. The prognosis was dire, requiring either an expensive kidney transplant or a lifetime of immunosuppressant medications.
I had already formed a bond with him, so I asked, “Well, what are you going to do with him? Are you just going to kill him?” she recalled. “I responded, ‘No, I’ll give him the best life I can.'” ’”.
Pros and Cons of Pet Shelters
Thousands of animals are available for adoption at animal shelters, which have been around for a while. This is the case with dog shelters that devote their efforts to saving and offering up for adoption loving dogs. Before placing their dogs up for adoption, the majority of shelters ensure that they have been neutered or spayed and have taken care of any unresolved health issues. This is a crucial component of shelters because it helps reduce dog populations while maintaining the health of animals. This aids prospective pet parents in understanding the health and general condition of their puppy.
Frequently, the adoption procedure may take some time, but everything works out for you and your dog. Most rescue organizations will make an effort to assure clients that their dog is in capable, caring hands. Additionally, they must ensure that the new pet parents can give their pup everything he or she might require.
Garfield, you and your staff are incredible, and you all greeted us with smiles and warm welcomes today (07/11/18). Sheyla Fort Lauderdale, FL Thank you so much for all of your assistance; you are amazing. You helped us take a new family member home. The service here is amazing. I promise you, that we will visit.
MICHELE WAGNER, WARNING: BEWARE: ================================================================================================== There was a Mini Australian, who was adorable but cost $3000 far too much. 00 and around $1200 for a good breeder. 00 for a puppy with a one-year health guarantee that is healthy. We fell in love with Piper and paid the price . Literally! The Mandatory 10 day inspection was fine. Then at 6mo we had her spayed. This is where the nightmare began. She was hoping on her hind legs. This worsened because she was unable to walk for extended periods of time. The first veterinarian we took her to diagnosed her with a condition that affects her legs and ligaments and advised a $5,000 surgery. The 2nd Vet. that we took her to stated the same thing, albeit with a slightly worse degree of deterioration than the first vet. Said A month later, we are still in conflict with Pet Solutions; this is a result of Petland’s terrible warranty. They might consider giving me a credit for another new puppy from this wonderful puppy mill establishment if I spend more money and take her to their veterinarian. So I inquired as to what would happen if my free puppy from a puppy mill required a $5,000 surgery. They are not responsible for this. So why exactly am I getting a 3rd opinion. My husband and I are currently carrying Piper up and down stairs. Unfortunately, she cannot have the surgery until November, when she will have finished growing. My question to Petland is this. What occurs to all of these expensive puppies that you fail to sell? What you do with them to return him to the breeder who shoots their infant head and dumps him in the ditch because they didn’t make a $3000 is up to you. 00 profit. I saw on your website that you rotate puppies every two weeks, but I know you don’t sell all of those puppies. Each and every one of those tiny infants will not find a permanent home. Do they end up dead in a ditch because the puppy mill from which they were rescued doesn’t want them back? If you can’t give a pet a good home at a shelter, look for a reputable breeder who is concerned about hereditary diseases and their puppies instead. Before you venture into the places where many others are with their beloved pets, read the other breaking reviews. and myself. ======================== Beware and LEARN from OUR mistakes ========================.
Tenee Baker Pooler, Georgia I would give this item a -5 rating. Despite how friendly the staff was, I was unprepared for my puppy to develop GI, respiratory, and ear infections within the first two weeks of coming home. He developed a GI infection four days after my family and I brought him home. I was so worried about him. When I contacted Petland, they informed me that, in accordance with the terms of the contract, since he fell ill within 14 days, they would either reimburse me up to a certain amount or allow me to return him. My dog is family, not just a piece of furniture that can be returned or exchanged, so I was pretty irate about this. He recovered, but within a week he became ill once more with an ear infection. I had to fight Petland on reimbursing me for that. They persisted in attempting to convince me that ear infections were frequent and that the 14-day window had passed, and I fought back. He continues to be ill, mostly with gastrointestinal infections but also with bladder infections. He just recovered from another GI infection and is now a year old. The veterinarian believes that this is a chronic condition, and since what I am feeding him and my routine with him are both fine, it will cost me more money to identify it. He has simply experienced too many illnesses in his brief life. Vet originally claimed that he acquired it from Petland, but now that it is chronic and I have already spent thousands of dollars on things I do not have, I am angry and I am going to sue. They also understood my motivations for getting a pet when I was looking for one. You see, I am a disabled veteran who has multiple chronic illnesses. The VA advised me to obtain a service animal, but they are not allowed to assist you in doing so. A veteran must procure a pet on their own, train it on their own, and after completing all of those steps, the VA will certify the animal and cover any additional costs. My father, who passed away in 2019, left me some money and told me to take care of myself. I always wanted a Corgi. With Covid, there was a lengthy waiting list and breeders were violating the contract by raising prices due to costs after I had already made a down payment on one. I then received my money back and fell in love with my little puppy at Petland. They took advantage of my gullibility, and as a result, I am accruing more debt. They are sadly mistaken if they believe that I will continue to pay the balance for him. They can send it to collections, but they shouldn’t expect to get him back. And now that I know that others have experienced this as well, I am horrified that this shop is still open. Without a doubt, I will pursue all available legal remedies. Even though he is better after this round of antibiotics, it is very likely that he will become ill once more.
Petland OKC sells sick puppies from puppy mills, they force you to sign a nasty contract without fully disclosing details (you need an attorney with you to go over everything! ), they won’t budge on refunds even when the puppy is sick and has had diarrhea since the day of purchase, and their contract vet is incompetent and doesn’t keep factual or adequate records! He’s shady just like Petland! They don’t even deal with complaints from unhappy customers Since being purchased, the puppy has experienced diarrhea, blood in his stools, parasites, and parasite eggs. Petland and solutions. Do not make the error of spending a significant amount of money on a sick puppy from a real puppy mill because they are 100% fraudulent. Simply look inside the cages to see how disgusting they are: diarrhea with blood and parasites; urine and feces in the cages; puppies walking in it and eating it; they are sick dogs and sick people to even sell these dogs. AVOID BUYING FROM PETLAND AND AID IN GETTING THEM CLOSED DOWN!
Laurie Milwaukee, WI I had a wonderful experience purchasing a gorgeous chocolate and tan Miniature Schnauzer from Petland. When I arrived for the appointment to see Bruno with Alex, I was greeted by a staff member who said he would be there shortly. You can meet puppies in their many private seating areas, where you can decide which puppy is best for you. When Alex brought this affectionate, serene 12-week-old boy out, I knew right away. He allowed me to visit for some time before asking if I wanted to take him home. Of course I said yes. He then spent time guiding me through the store and assisting me in choosing the items I would need. He was amiable, evidently loved his job, and adored animals. Once this was done we completed paperwork. Alex then assisted me in loading the car with all the gifts and purchases I made while fastening Bruno’s seat belt. Since he’s been at home, the first night of potty training was a little challenging, but after just three days, he’s already beginning to comprehend going outside. He has already adapted and is the ideal combination of playful and loving. Now to get the cat to accept him. Although Petland’s prices were considerably higher than those I had seen when looking for private breeders, I didn’t feel comfortable choosing a puppy from 800 miles away and having it shipped to me sight unseen. Be careful when purchasing a puppy this way because there are numerous scammers out there. One of the breeders I talked to told me this. I’m glad I chose to purchase my lifelong companion from Petland.
Who is the owner of Petland?
Based in Chillicothe, Ohio, Petland is a privately held pet store franchisor and operator. Ed Kunzelman founded the company in 1967. … Petland.
| Type | Pet Store |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ed Kunzelman |
| Headquarters | Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S. |
| Key people | Ed Kunzelman, founder and chairman |
| Subsidiaries | Aquarium Adventure |
According to investigations, some of the pets sold by Petland have either been mistreated or are sick. Seven families in Summerville, South Carolina, filed a lawsuit against Petland Summerville and Petland Inc. in 2020. claims that the Summerville shop sold them sick puppies on purpose, as reported by the Post & Courier.
FAQ
Are puppies from pet stores healthy?
Puppies with serious health issues or psychological issues are frequently sold in pet stores. Zoonotic diseases, which can infect both humans and other animals, are among the ailments frequently found in pet store puppies. Within days or weeks of purchase, buyers are frequently confronted with astronomical vet bills or even the death of the puppy.
What does Petland do with the puppies they don’t sell?
The puppy turns into a breeding dog, and the breeder will have to buy them back because they were originally sold to a pet shop. Most often, they exchange younger, healthier puppies for older, supposedly unwanted puppies. The latter will subsequently be used as a breeder dog to maintain the puppy mill.
How do you know if a puppy is healthy to buy?
- Body Condition: Puppies in a litter should be roughly the same size without appearing overly fat or underweight.
- Coat: Shiny and spotless, with no red, irritated, or bare areas.
- Ears: Clean and free of odor, discharge, or redness.
- Eyes: Bright and clear without any discharge.
Why are puppies from Petland so expensive?
To ensure that their purebred animals are healthy enough to reproduce, breeders must subject them to genetic testing. That costs extra money. This then affects the cost of their purebred puppies that Petland purchases. Petland then raises the cost of their purebred animals to recoup their losses.