A Study of Michigan’s Puppy Pipeline

Feb. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- The Puppy Mill Awareness Meetup of Southeast Michigan has completed a study of puppy-selling pet stores in Michigan. The primary goal of the study was to determine breeder information to help protect conscientious customers from unknowingly contributing to animal neglect and abuse in distant states.

The study reveals which stores are importing puppies from other states, the estimated number of puppies and just how many sick dogs may be purchased at pet stores.

Summary of findings:

• There are approximately 50 puppy-selling pet stores in Michigan.

• Over half of the stores are located in the southeast Michigan. Wayne County has the most puppy-selling stores (10) followed by Macomb County (8).

• From 2009 to 2010, 17 pet stores imported approximately 5,000 puppies from other states according to interstate health certificates. On average 213 puppies are legally imported per month to pet stores.

• The Family Puppy/Family of Pets store is the largest chain, with five stores in the southeast Michigan area importing on average 118 puppies per month. V.I.P Pets is the second largest chain with four stores in west Michigan.

• A puppy may travel 1,200 miles before reaching a Detroit area pet store. Transportation from distant states causes stress in dogs and increases the risk of disease transmission.

• Many stores are operating without a prior pet store license.

A variety of puppy peddling operations have increased with the lack of regulation. As families are losing their jobs they may be turning to the pet trade as an easy way to make extra money without experience or knowledge of canines, disease control or breeding standards.

These other forms of puppy-peddling were discovered.

• Puppy Garage Sales
• Pitbull-selling Pet Stores
• Dog Flippers
• Rescues operating as pet stores
• Trade Center booths

Without disclosure laws pet stores can misrepresent the puppies telling customers that they are “the finest available” puppies from “professional and hobby breeders who have years of experience in raising quality family pets,” which are “USDA approved.” The deceptive practices of pet stores relating to the marketing and sale of puppy mill puppies across southeast Michigan is causing thousands of consumers to be victimized by this unscrupulous conduct.

Many families purchase puppies at pet stores as Valentine’s Day gifts and quickly discover health problems due to neglect, inbreeding and over-breeding in puppy mills. They may face significant veterinary bills or even the death of their puppy without understanding why. Currently, Michigan does not have a “Puppy & Kitten Lemon Law” to protect consumers.

For a copy of the report, more information, or to arrange an interview with a Puppy Mill Awareness member, please contact Pam Sordyl, at 734-828-1400 or leroybrown01@yahoo.com.

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Our group is working to end the mass production of dogs in commercial kennels ("puppy mills"). We are focused on educating the public about pet store puppies, lobbying for stronger laws and promoting adoption as the first option!