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We recently adopted a puppymill breeder release from a rescue. She's 5 years old and was going to be killed because, after repeatedly breeding her, she could no longer produce puppies.

It's been an arduous process but she is finally beginning to trust us and even wags her tail a little. She still doesn't know how to play, but does seem interested in interacting with the other dogs when they play. She loves the cats and seems more at ease with them, much to their chagrin.

Since adopting her, we've become quite familiar with the vile puppymill industry, and those that profit from them indirectly. It's heartbreaking

Shortly after we adopted her, a Pet Shop opened in town. She sells "designer dogs". She would not reveal where she is getting the puppies from when she met with the local Rescues (they are trucked in from out of state). Said it was "none of their business".

Her website initially said that the puppies were from "licensed USDA breeders" (AKA puppymills) but she has since removed that verbiage from her site, instead, calling them "licensed breeders".

I recently found out that my vet is the Pet Store vet and is issuing health certificates for them. He is also allowing her to display her store business cards right next to the local rescue and shelter cards.

Each puppy sold from the store gets a free initial exam at his practice, so he is cultivating new clients and, therefore, benefitting from any puppy sold.

This same vet also vets dogs from a local rescue that often takes dogs from puppymill busts/breeder releases so he sees firsthand the terrible shape these poor adult puppymill dogs are in, both physically as well as mentally. I don't understand how he can, in good conscience, promote these pet shop puppies knowing how the "parents", the adult dogs in the mills, are treated.

I can't reconcile this at all and so called to pull my records so I can switch vets.

I know he will be calling tomorrow to ask why and I want to be absolutely honest without sounding accusatory about how he's chosen to conduct his business. I'm at a loss as to how I can convey this and not be insulting.

How can I put it without it sounding judgemental?

Hi Kajsa!

I know he will be calling tomorrow to ask why and I want to be absolutely honest without sounding accusatory about how he's chosen to conduct his business. I'm at a loss as to how I can convey this and not be insulting.

How can I put it without it sounding judgemental?

I would tell the vet exactly why I'm taking my pets to another vet, and not be worried about sounding accusatory and judgmental.

Why not be vocal about it? I know you and I can't imagine you saying anything in a way that isn't 100% kind and sweet, but I also know how much you do for animals and how strongly you advocate for them.

Let him know, and let everybody else you come across know. Hit that vet in the pocketbook. Maybe he'll reconsider the unconscionable way he's choosing to make a profit.

[This message edited by authenticnow at 2:34 PM, May 19th (Sunday)]

Hello AN!!!

I see you have been promoted!!

Good choice

Yeah, I really feel I have to say something, but H says it will sound too self-righteous no matter how I say it, that I should just pull the records and be done with it, don't respond when he calls, he'll figure it out eventually.

I know it won't stop him from continuing the working relationship he has with this pet shop. But, jeeze, maybe it'll make him just stop and think about it for a New York minute next time the rescue's bust/release dogs come in.

Thanks for your support...I know you get it

I think you should tell your vet exactly why you are no longer bringing him your business, and don't mince words!

Thanks, my friend . It's nice to see you posting. Miss you around here!

You should sound self-righteous! When I think about all you do for all those animals, someone like you is exactly who needs to put this guy in his place. (BTW, say hi to hubby for us ).

Ugh; you won't sound self-righteous. You're speaking for animals who can't speak for themselves!

I'm not saying don't listen to your husband, but...don't listen to your husband.

if it's important enough to you that it makes you want to switch vets, then it's important enough to tell the vet why you're switching.

I totally support you telling him exactly why. Who cares how you come off? You are a kindhearted person who is taking a stand against cruelty.

Good for you.

Amen to all the above. We're with you, kajsa!

Well that's it then, looks like I'm in good company

I'm just so not a confrontational person but in this case I do believe it is warranted as long as I can do it without getting all emotional about it and tripping all over my words.

Thanks, all, for shoring me up!

Sad, got it

[This message edited by kajsa at 6:46 PM, May 19th (Sunday)]

Write him a letter telling him exactly what you said here. It will be less emotionally charged for you. He will have hard evidence he can refer back to when his conscience decided to come back from vacation and take up residence in his head.

Good luck,

K

I'm not saying don't listen to your husband, but...don't listen to your husband.

Second that!!

Tell the vet exactly how you feel about it. I'd also report him to the vet licensing board in your state, we all KNOW most of those puppies aren't healthy.

kajsa,

I agree with the others here - tell him exactly why you are no longer going to be a client of his practice. He can't fix what he doesn't know is broken. Perhaps your conversation will give him pause to reconsider his alliance with this puppy mill. Perhaps it won't. But, you will have spoken your feelings, standing up for your beliefs, and if he chooses to continue his association with the pet store and puppy mills, then he isn't the vet I would want caring for my pets anyway.

Thanks Kajem, Lucky and Too_Trusting.

I *think* he was made aware of a couple of articles I had posted on our Rescue Group's page, and from that, knew why I chose to do it. Both articles were written by Veterinarians and both called out the Vets who continue to work with puppymills, directly or indirectly.

Once I get the information that I requested through NJ's FOIA, I intend to send him what I find. It won't make a bit of difference, he'll continue to work with this pet shop while exploiting dogs in the process.

Never did like him much but he is a good diagnostician.

Creep