Visit these links to see Channel 5 Fox News' Arnold Diaz's SHAME SHAME SHAME report on Queens, NY dog breeder/dealer Robin Schulder:
PART ONE: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_1
PART TWO: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/090305_Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_2
PART THREE: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/090624_Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_3
PART FOUR: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/queens-dog-breeder-part-4-20100317
What do you think? Should it be this hard to put someone out of business?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Follow the Ridgefield, CT pet store issue here
Click here to read more about the recent controversy at a Ridgefield Connecticut pet store:
http://www.ridgefieldctblog.com/2010/03/the-state-of-connecticut-shuts-down-true-breeders-pet-store/ridgefield-ct-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-8526
http://www.ridgefieldctblog.com/2010/03/the-state-of-connecticut-shuts-down-true-breeders-pet-store/ridgefield-ct-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-8526
The Story
"I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.
I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us.
So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. they look so sweet and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.
Today a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans!
The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time". Several times I have gone to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about congenital problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.
Last night was the worst, pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.
The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. he is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different."
(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Taken from http://www.gingerrungoldenretrievers.com/petstore.html. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us.
So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. they look so sweet and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.
Today a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans!
The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time". Several times I have gone to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about congenital problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.
Last night was the worst, pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.
The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. he is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different."
(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Taken from http://www.gingerrungoldenretrievers.com/petstore.html. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, June 10
ANOTHER PET STORE PUPPY DIES
by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Another puppy from True Breeders store in Branchville has been put down, and the buyer reports that she has gotten a refund of the purchase price and is awaiting reimbursement for her veterinary bills.
"I have never purchased a dog from a pet store before," said Kim Wakuluk of New Milford. "Besides feeling like a fool, I am sad for my child, who is heartbroken."
True Breeders employee Cheryl Mollica said the puppy, a Yorkshire terrier, had a "liver shunt" - a congenital defect known to occur in Yorkies, she said.
"I'm giving her a check for the full amount, the price of the puppy, her papers, her microchip, the vaccine costs. She's getting every penny back with an apology, of course," Ms. Mollica said last week. "As soon as it happened, I personally called her and told her we were very sorry to hear what happened. Unfortunately, none of us could foresee this. Unfortunately, it happened."
In March, a Wilton couple reported having to put down a Teacup Yorkshire terrier puppy purchased at True Breeders after unsuccessful treatment for the canine parvovirus. The store was also put under a 14-day state quarantine as a result of the infection with parvo, which is highly contagious among dogs.
The store has also been the subject of protests and a barrage of criticism by local dog breeders and animal advocates who disparage it as an outlet for "puppy mills."
Also known as "portosystemic shunt," the liver problem Ms. Wakuluk's puppy had involves a blood vessel that doesn't close off as it should after birth, allowing blood to bypass the liver. Since the blood doesn't get filtered by the liver, toxins build up. The dog becomes sick and, eventually, will die. The condition is sometimes treated with surgery.
Ms. Wakuluk confirmed this Tuesday that she'd received the $1,474 that she'd paid for the puppy, its crate and other puppy paraphernalia. She was still waiting for reimbursement on the $384 in veterinary bills she ran up on the dog.
"I cashed the check that Thursday for the full amount of the puppy and everything else," she said. "I'm still waiting for the vet bill check."
Ms. Wakuluk said True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo told her she would give her the money for the vet bills, after the store received reimbursement from the puppy supplier, Kansas-based Lambriar, Inc.
Ms. DiCarlo asked Ms. Mollica to return calls from The Press on the situation.
"I'm sure Christine is paying for the vet bills," Ms. Mollica said. "Christine, she does the right thing."
Although she has gotten most of her money back and said Ms. Mollica treated her well, Ms. Wakuluk was not happy with Christine.
In a long e-mail and a couple of phone calls, Ms. Wakuluk detailed her experience with the puppy and her efforts to get her money back.
Ms. Wakuluk said she and her nine-year-old son went to three or four pet stores in the area, looking for a female Yorkshire terrier puppy and picked one out at True Breeders in Branchville on May 12.
"I brought the puppy to my vet the next morning at 9:15. She had kennel cough and parasites and while I was a bit dismayed, I understand that these are fairly common occurrences for dogs confined in close quarters," Ms. Wakuluk wrote. "I came home with antibiotics and parasite medicine and began life with new puppy.
"The puppy seemed a bit off kilter from the beginning. She was not the most energetic puppy, but I chalked it up to the medication and her illnesses. On May 19, the dog stopped eating. On Thursday, May 20, I came home to find the dog half-comatose, cold and unresponsive. I immediately brought her to my vet. She was in hypoglycemic shock..."
After treatment under the direction of Ms. Wakuluk's vet - including a feeding tube - the puppy was taken to Ms. DiCarlo's vet, at the store owner's direction, she said.
He diagnosed the liver problem, and telephoned Ms. Wakuluk to explain it and say that Ms. DiCarlo "had declined further testing and was requesting that the dog be put to sleep," Ms. Wakuluk said. "Our puppy was euthanized that morning."
Ms. Wakuluk then described her back and forth with Ms. DiCarlo trying to get a refund of the dog's purchase price and reimbursement for what she spent on vet bills - all of which she said she was clearly due under Connecticut's "puppy lemon law."
"I find it abhorrent that she would make me jump through hoops to get this situation rectified," she wrote.
"She is the one who declined further testing on the puppy, she is the one who requested and authorized euthanasia of the puppy, through her vet. I, however, am the one who had to explain this situation to my child and deal with the aftermath."
Ms. DiCarlo did not return calls from The Press, but asked Ms. Mollica to speak to a reporter on the situation.
Ms. Wakuluk said she heard some criticism of pet stores as outlets for puppy mills, but wasn't that worried when she took her son dog shopping.
"My sister purchased a dog from a pet store and it's perfectly happy - the healthiest, the happiest dog in the world," she said.
She recalled her son's reaction when they'd first brought the puppy home. "He was saying to me, 'Thank you for the dog, Mommy. Thank you for the dog, Mommy,'" she said.
They may try getting another puppy somewhere, sometime, she said.
"He'll miss the dog," Ms. Wakuluk said. "We had to come home and put all the dog toys away, and put the dog crate away, and the dog bowl."
(From the Ridgefield Press, pg 1A and 11A, June 10, 2010)
by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Another puppy from True Breeders store in Branchville has been put down, and the buyer reports that she has gotten a refund of the purchase price and is awaiting reimbursement for her veterinary bills.
"I have never purchased a dog from a pet store before," said Kim Wakuluk of New Milford. "Besides feeling like a fool, I am sad for my child, who is heartbroken."
True Breeders employee Cheryl Mollica said the puppy, a Yorkshire terrier, had a "liver shunt" - a congenital defect known to occur in Yorkies, she said.
"I'm giving her a check for the full amount, the price of the puppy, her papers, her microchip, the vaccine costs. She's getting every penny back with an apology, of course," Ms. Mollica said last week. "As soon as it happened, I personally called her and told her we were very sorry to hear what happened. Unfortunately, none of us could foresee this. Unfortunately, it happened."
In March, a Wilton couple reported having to put down a Teacup Yorkshire terrier puppy purchased at True Breeders after unsuccessful treatment for the canine parvovirus. The store was also put under a 14-day state quarantine as a result of the infection with parvo, which is highly contagious among dogs.
The store has also been the subject of protests and a barrage of criticism by local dog breeders and animal advocates who disparage it as an outlet for "puppy mills."
Also known as "portosystemic shunt," the liver problem Ms. Wakuluk's puppy had involves a blood vessel that doesn't close off as it should after birth, allowing blood to bypass the liver. Since the blood doesn't get filtered by the liver, toxins build up. The dog becomes sick and, eventually, will die. The condition is sometimes treated with surgery.
Ms. Wakuluk confirmed this Tuesday that she'd received the $1,474 that she'd paid for the puppy, its crate and other puppy paraphernalia. She was still waiting for reimbursement on the $384 in veterinary bills she ran up on the dog.
"I cashed the check that Thursday for the full amount of the puppy and everything else," she said. "I'm still waiting for the vet bill check."
Ms. Wakuluk said True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo told her she would give her the money for the vet bills, after the store received reimbursement from the puppy supplier, Kansas-based Lambriar, Inc.
Ms. DiCarlo asked Ms. Mollica to return calls from The Press on the situation.
"I'm sure Christine is paying for the vet bills," Ms. Mollica said. "Christine, she does the right thing."
Although she has gotten most of her money back and said Ms. Mollica treated her well, Ms. Wakuluk was not happy with Christine.
In a long e-mail and a couple of phone calls, Ms. Wakuluk detailed her experience with the puppy and her efforts to get her money back.
Ms. Wakuluk said she and her nine-year-old son went to three or four pet stores in the area, looking for a female Yorkshire terrier puppy and picked one out at True Breeders in Branchville on May 12.
"I brought the puppy to my vet the next morning at 9:15. She had kennel cough and parasites and while I was a bit dismayed, I understand that these are fairly common occurrences for dogs confined in close quarters," Ms. Wakuluk wrote. "I came home with antibiotics and parasite medicine and began life with new puppy.
"The puppy seemed a bit off kilter from the beginning. She was not the most energetic puppy, but I chalked it up to the medication and her illnesses. On May 19, the dog stopped eating. On Thursday, May 20, I came home to find the dog half-comatose, cold and unresponsive. I immediately brought her to my vet. She was in hypoglycemic shock..."
After treatment under the direction of Ms. Wakuluk's vet - including a feeding tube - the puppy was taken to Ms. DiCarlo's vet, at the store owner's direction, she said.
He diagnosed the liver problem, and telephoned Ms. Wakuluk to explain it and say that Ms. DiCarlo "had declined further testing and was requesting that the dog be put to sleep," Ms. Wakuluk said. "Our puppy was euthanized that morning."
Ms. Wakuluk then described her back and forth with Ms. DiCarlo trying to get a refund of the dog's purchase price and reimbursement for what she spent on vet bills - all of which she said she was clearly due under Connecticut's "puppy lemon law."
"I find it abhorrent that she would make me jump through hoops to get this situation rectified," she wrote.
"She is the one who declined further testing on the puppy, she is the one who requested and authorized euthanasia of the puppy, through her vet. I, however, am the one who had to explain this situation to my child and deal with the aftermath."
Ms. DiCarlo did not return calls from The Press, but asked Ms. Mollica to speak to a reporter on the situation.
Ms. Wakuluk said she heard some criticism of pet stores as outlets for puppy mills, but wasn't that worried when she took her son dog shopping.
"My sister purchased a dog from a pet store and it's perfectly happy - the healthiest, the happiest dog in the world," she said.
She recalled her son's reaction when they'd first brought the puppy home. "He was saying to me, 'Thank you for the dog, Mommy. Thank you for the dog, Mommy,'" she said.
They may try getting another puppy somewhere, sometime, she said.
"He'll miss the dog," Ms. Wakuluk said. "We had to come home and put all the dog toys away, and put the dog crate away, and the dog bowl."
(From the Ridgefield Press, pg 1A and 11A, June 10, 2010)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Support Against Puppy Mills
Visit our support page at http://againstpuppymills.chipin.com/support-against-puppy-mills.
Please consider making a small donation to help cover the costs of website maintenance, office supplies and printing. Your support helps spread the truth about puppy mills and ends the cruel cycle of commercial dog breeding!
Please contact us for information about making a donation via check or mail.
Thank you!
Please consider making a small donation to help cover the costs of website maintenance, office supplies and printing. Your support helps spread the truth about puppy mills and ends the cruel cycle of commercial dog breeding!
Please contact us for information about making a donation via check or mail.
Thank you!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
What is a Dog Auction?
You've heard all about puppy mills in the news and online - but what is a dog AUCTION?
Visit our friends at Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions to learn more about what happens to the puppies that DON'T make it to the pet store...
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
Visit our friends at Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions to learn more about what happens to the puppies that DON'T make it to the pet store...
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
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