Stop Puppy Mills

Animal Lovers Alarmed By 'Puppy Retail' Venture

by Sherry Morse

A group composed of retail veterans from Gap and IKEA have started what they call "lifestyle stores" selling puppies in Boston.

The new venture, known as Woof & Company, plans to compete with private breeders selling purebred puppies and upscale accessories in what they describe as a distinct niche in the United States "pet industry."

Linda Povey, a partner in the consultancy that created the company, says of other chains like Petsmart and Petco, "We're not interested in going head-to-head selling dog food. Their strategy is high volume, low prices. We're a lifestyle store."

However, neither Petsmart nor Petco sell puppies. Instead, both stores provide pet adoption days for local animal welfare groups.

The two stores that the new company has opened in Boston-area malls, as well as the other stores they plan to add over the next two years, will feature puppies from Hunte Corporation, a Missouri puppy broker.

Hunte Corporation, which also exports dogs overseas, is the largest puppy broker in the United States. The company has been linked to a number of negligent pet stores and breeders such as Petland Discount stores.

Over the last three years the United States Department of Agriculture has loaned the company more than million for expansion and upgrades.

PLEASE don't buy puppies from pet stores in the mall. These stores have the puppies trucked in from HUGE puppy mills in the midwest. They are sickly, scared, unsocialized and OVERPRICED. And don't fall prey to the new "designer dog" trend like Puggles which are just MIXED BREEDS! (mutts)Please seek out a reputable breeder who breeds for quality, not quantity. Or better yet, contact your local breed rescue group, if you have a particular breed in mind, or adopt from a shelter. Millions of dogs and cats are put to death each year because there are not enough homes for them.