by After getting dog food at Pet Smart in Springfield, MO today I went to
the Veterinary Clinic at the store to pick up some Eukanuba Veterinary
Diet. My regular Vet doesn't carry the Eukanuba Veterinary Diet so I
have been getting it from Vet Smart (use to be Pet Smart Veterinary
Clinic) different name but is still part of Pet Smart. While the girl
at the front desk was getting my dog food I looked down at the counter
and laying there for the public was a Publication by Missouri Pet
Breeders Association. It told about them on the front cover and inside
listed breeders by the breeds they raise. Of course what caught my eye
on the front was the statement that they specialize in Companion
Production. Truthfully I thought that someone had left this sitting on
the counter and that they office personnel didn't know about it. When
she came back with my dog food, I said that I was surprised to see this
book sitting on the counter. I truly expected her to be shocked and to
retrieve it. Instead she said, "Why are you surprised?" and went on
to say that when people come in and ask about where to get a dog that
they give them the MPBA book to get names and numbers from. By this
time I was really shocked. I asked if she knew what type of breeders
were in this book or if she knew anything about them. She became very
defensive and said that they didn't recommend any breeder it was up to
the individual to pick out the breeder they wanted. The phone rang at
this time, much to her relief and this office person was no longer
going to talk to me.
I left and the more I thought about it the more I couldn't believe that
they were referring people wanting a dog to these breeders, with no
guidelines. No information on health problems, health test or how to
find a responsible breeder. In Pet Smart they are asking for donations
for homeless animals and on the other side they are referring people
to some of the same people that have bred the homeless dogs that they
are rescuing.
I have always known Vets that were concerned with getting their clients
healthy dogs and when they were asked about breeders they took this
very seriously. It is obvious that this branch of Pet Smart does not
care. I have only lived in Missouri for a short time but I am amazed
at the acceptance of the large scale puppy breeders. I will find
another source for my dog food. Also I will send a email to Pet Smart
letting them know that I totally disagree with this type of
indiscriminate breeder referrals.
Debbie Ellis
Copper Acre Goldens
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.