Fin & Feathers… Now with Fur???

Anyone been in the Fin and Feathers store over by Safeway? I popped in on Friday night and was a little shocked to see puppies in the store. I wonder what puppy mill they get their dogs from? The poor little puppies had a barcodes stuck on their tails. Not to knock the place, but they can't even keep the tanks clean, I can't imagine what the kennels look like.

BTW: The Welch Corgi will run you $700. They also had a Boston Terrier held hostage… didn’t catch the ransom on that one. Wonder when they’ll have a few Pit Bulls to choose from???

PS: Just kidding about the barcodes.

 

I hate to see puppies and kittens in pet stores, even the adoptable ones in PetSmart. So cruel.

 

For what it's worth. The owner claims the puppies come from actual breeders..not puppy mills.

 

I don't think what petsmart does is cruel. Organizations bring the animals to petsmart to have them adopted. These organizations, like forever homes for instance, have the animals living in foster houses not in kennels. Generally these animals are very well taken care of and are only brought to petsmart and other similar places to help get them adopted. We just got our dog thru forever homes and they are the best and really care of the animals. It's quite a process adopting a dog thru them. They come out and do a house survey, check references, etc. But only after you pass a face to face meeting with the foster parent. It's really great that they take such care to find these animals great homes. We also have a cat from them and had a similar experience with that adoption. Each time we got great animals.

I agree about places that hold the animals in cages. That's just cruel.

 

I agree what they're doing is good work, but I hate seeing animals in cages...be it for a good organization or not.

 

The puppies in Fin and Feathers aren't in cages....

 

The animals in petsmart are in cages only for the trip to and in the store.... We got our cat from the NVSPCA and they don't have a kennel... they are all fostered in homes until they are adopted... A few hours of cage time in order to find a GOOD home is usually minor compared to the abuse or neglect they were in previously.

 

I think it is great that Fin & Feathers now have furry friends available which need good homes. In such a pet-friendly area like Broadland I am sure that these pets will find wonderful homes. While I'm sure everyone reading here would agree that noone likes to see an animal caged for any period of time, just in practical terms, it has to happen periodically. I'd rather see an animal in a cage for a brief period than to have it euthanized. For example, isn't it better for an animal to be on display in a pet store in the hopes of being seen and adopted rather than in a cage in the animal shelter while waiting to be destroyed? And in practical terms, when a pet is taken to the vet, there may not be a choice but to have it in a cage for a period of time.

The other comments made about the adoption organizations are also correct. State and federal laws may require these animals to be in cages while they are on display at PetSmart or some other facility but most are fostered in homes. At one point I assisted in fostering cats which were very much a full part of my home until they were adopted by a family which was first screened for suitability.

There are far worse dilemmas for pets than being in a cage for a short period. Are you aware for example of the plight of retired greyhounds? Try doing some web searches and see how they fare. These beautiful dogs are typically kept caged up from the time they are puppies until (and sometimes after) they have been retired. They are released from their cage when it is time to race. And then after 2-5 years they are retired. Some of the retired dogs are lucky and get sent to a greyhound rescue organization for adoption but many of them are sent for mass slaughtering. Just some additional food for thought....

 

Hasn't anyone crate trained their puppy/dog? IMO - it's the only way to train.[8D]

 

I haven't heard of any law requiring dogs to be in cages at a pet store for adoption. On weekend adoption days, the dogs are usually in certain areas of the store in the aisles. Having adopted two dogs through rescue organizations, both in Florida and here in Virginia, I also applaud the hard work done by the volunteers at these organizations.

As for the dogs at Fin and Feathers: These dogs sound like they aren't up for adoption, they're up for sale. IMHO, no reputable breeder needs to market their dogs at a strip mall pet store.

 

My problem is the fact that there are so many dogs at the local animal shelters that are waiting on death row. Instead of dropping $700 on a cute little puppy, why not make a small donation to a local shelter and take home a new family member to a permanent and loving home?

Please encourage Fin and Feathers to stop selling puppies and stick with the supplies and accessories side of the pet industry. In 2002, American pet owners spent over $28.9 billion on their small companions. That’s not a bad industry to have a little slice of. I have in the past and will continue to support their store. I’m only asking prospective clients of Fin and Feathers to take a look at the links below before they pick out a new puppy.

FOHA – A Local “No-Kill” Shelter:
http://www.foha.org/captivating_canines1.htm

Loudoun County Death Row:
http://www.loudoun.gov/cgi-bin/animals/adopt/dogpost.pl

Fairfax County Death Row:
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/ps/ac/adoptdog.htm

 

A pet store selling pets. What is the world coming to. And it's right next to a Chinese restaurant, oh no. Spay and neuter and this wouldn't be a problem, just ask Bob Barker.

 

I do understand that pets need to be in cages while displayed for adoption at a store, we got our cat from the Feline Foundation 3 years ago when she was 9 years old. However, the last time I was in PetSmart during an adoption fair the dogs were sitting in the cages in their own filth, there was nobody there to clean up any messes. I almost cried, it was terrible. If I could I would take them all home with me, but of course that is not possible.

I personally would never get a pet from a pet store. There are so many rescue pets out there that need a home desperately.

And as to crate training ... I think it is a cruel way to treat a dog,and it is based solely on the owners being too lazy to take care of their pets the way they should be taken care of. Dogs are not made to sit in a cage all day or all night, they need to move and be active. There is more to owning a dog then being able to show it off when it is convenient, and keep it in a crate when it is not.

Marianne
(putting on asbestos suit)

 

Marianne-
Does that suit also come with a Kevlar lining?
Cliff

 

Actually I acquired my oldest cat from a pet store ten years ago. I am one of those who cannot resist looking at any pet and when I saw him there, I knew he was meant to be mine. However, my two other cats whom I have were both cats which I personally rescued while living in Pakistan. If I had not taken either of them in, they would have died. I believe that all domestic animals should be given a chance to have a loving home whether that means marketing them in a pet store, finding them in a shelter, finding them through a pet rescue organization or simply finding them yourself and taking them in! If it came to an individual either having an animal put to sleep or providing it for sale to a pet store, which would you prefer? Having an animal available for sale in a pet store is a much better option where it can have a chance of gaining a loving and caring home. No...anyone with compassion does not like to see an animal in a cage or not being taken care of properly but let's face it...these objections are not going to stop animals from being placed in cages on display and for sale. Take a look at the vet up at the Giant shopping center...each time I have been by there they always have cats and kittens in cages that need adoption. Have you ever been to a cat show and spoken with some of the breeders at the show? Many of the show cats spend most of their lives in cages. I'm not saying it is right and that I agree with this but I'm just wanting to point out the facts. If having pets on display whether caged or not at Fin & Feathers results in some animals being placed in loving homes, I'm all for it! Shouldn't that be the ultimate aim here?

 

1) all of my cats have been rescue adoptions (directly or through PetsMart)
2) If you want a pure-breed, go to a reputable breeder but do your research well.
3) fact is, MOST (I won't say all) pet stores that sell pets get them from puppy and kitten mills that are not humane, and are not to be confused with reputable breeders.

Just do your homework. Don't fund puppy mills.

 

Okay...the messages here prompted me to pay a visit on Fin and Feathers and see for myself what was going on. I think everyone here knows what a dedicated animal person I am! (-:

First of all as I entered the store, the welsh corgis had the run of the store! They were not caged at all. The boston terriers were sound asleep and I learned that they also had been out and about playing through the store earlier. NONE, repeat NONE of the dogs are in cages! However they do have penned areas but are not locked in a cage. All the dogs are clean, healthy and very friendly and lovable. Fin & Feathers is a family owned business and is not what I would classify as a "strip mall pet store." They have no plans or intentions of taking cats because any cats on display would have to be caged and they do not believe in keeping animals caged up. They actively support adoptions and animal rescue organizations. They have posters on display about pets needing adoption as well as information about animal organizations. I spoke with the manager in detail asking him hard questions about pets, follow up care, products and he answered all my questions thoroughly, demonstrating expertise and knowledge in the subjects. He commented how some pet stores located in malls do make it a business to have pets in cages knowing that this disturbs people and makes them vulnerable towards purchasing the pets. Their goal is to have selected pets on display in a comfortable environment. And as a family owned private business they hold the right to refuse the sale of a dog or bird or fish to anyone that does not seem suitable. The manager told me how on occasion when a family has come in to consider purchasing a bird, based on his observation, he has suggested that the family spend some time in the shop playing with a bird and then think overnight about the care and responsibility rather than purchase with the emotions of the moment.

All in all, I found them to be most humane, professional and reputable.

 

Carol, that reminds me of a good point. The birds they sell are often more time consuming than anyone would expect. Oh, and LOUD Plus most of those birds have a longer life than anyone thinks about when they buy them.

 

You are so correct! My sister in dreary Erie raises parrots and I had no idea about their lifespan and all the care they needed until she informed me. And they can be sooo smart...they'll open their cages and talk about being capable of making some real messes!!!!

 

Did they say where they got the animals?