ATTENTION PLS READ THIS BEFORE YOU ADOPT ANY DOGS FROM HERE!!! I wish I had done this review 7 years ago! I was so young and did not know how to talk back then! I adopted my baby girl here at this location. She is a sweet tiny little Chiweenie. The first time meeting my dog she was so energetic, playful, and healthy. She was in the same crate with another tiny miniature pinscher. One of the employees was so sweet in getting us to play with her in the playpen. I decided to get my dog on that day. I put down the money and would be back to pick her up next week when my apartment was ready. The following week I came back to pick her up with my ex. They forced me to finish signing up the paper in the front. I told them my ex could do it. I wanted to walk to see my dog and walk around to see if anything I can buy for my dog ( showcase in the back of the store) but they insisted me stand there. 10mins later one of the employees brought my dog up to me. She looked so sick and out of energy. I asked them why my dog was like that they refused to answer and changed the topic and took a pic of me and my dog ( they do that on every adoption to post on FB). On the way I drove home she started vomiting and shaking. So I called them they said she was fine ( I thought maybe it was the car sick) but her symptoms didn't get better. Few days later, I took my dog to the vet that works with Petland Largo ( you will have a free consultation within 2 weeks after adoption or something). The vet wasn't there and they claimed that they didn't have a nebulizer. I called back to the store to ask what should I do cause my dog was so sick to the point that she stopped eating. Instead of helping a lady who answered the phone tried to blame it on me any single way that they possibly could do “ where did you take the dog…omg I don't know how’s the dog going to be right now…did you let your dog jump in the house maybe that was the cause blah blah blah” At that point I was like FORGET IT!!! I know your game! I decided to save my dog by taking her to the best vet around my area. Shout out to my Vet clinic “The Best Care Hospital” (the best vet I ever been) The vet said she had pneumonia and almost didn't make it if I didnt take her to the hospital on time. The vet also asked me more questions and when she heard where I got my dog from. She felt bad and gave my dog free medicine and shots cause this place is well known for sick puppy mills. Later on me and my sister did the research there were so many lawsuit cases that happened like this and none of the customers won the case cause of the papers that they let you sign that day. I went to search for more on Petland Largo's Facebook page. Usually when people adopt their puppy they will post the pictures on the feed. But there was no my picture nor any other people who had a problem with them just like mine. This place doesn't give a damn about animals or after services it's just a puppy mill and thank god I'm so glad I made the right decision to take my dog somewhere else and save her life from that hell. It’s been 7 years that i’ve been having her and it’s been 7 years that I will never forget this happened to me and my baby girl. She is the sweetest, strongest and smartest dog I ever had. After that I swore to myself I would never support a place like this or recommend anybody to go there, never ever again. Sometimes I wonder how the miniature pinscher that was in the same crate with her doing. Did it make it or did they just toss the dog away when...
Read moreA Critical Look at Petland: Why Ethical Consumers Should Avoid:
My aim here is to provide a professional perspective on why responsible pet ownership advocates strongly advise against purchasing animals from such establishments, highlighting the inherent cruelty involved and the detrimental impact on animal abuse and puppy mills!
The Unethical Source: Puppy Mills A primary and deeply troubling aspect of Petland's business model is its well-documented connection to commercial breeding facilities, commonly known as puppy mills. These operations prioritize profit over the health and well-being of the animals. Puppies from these environments often originate from breeding dogs kept in deplorable conditions, confined to small, unsanitary cages with minimal veterinary care, inadequate nutrition, and no opportunities for socialization or exercise. The breeding females are often bred repeatedly until they are no longer profitable, then discarded. This systemic neglect and abuse inflict immense suffering on countless animals.
The Reality of Animal Cruelty:
Purchasing a puppy from Petland, knowingly or unknowingly, contributes directly to the perpetuation of this cycle of cruelty. Puppies from mills are frequently exposed to a multitude of health issues, including genetic predispositions to diseases due to indiscriminate breeding, and are often prone to severe behavioral problems stemming from lack of socialization and traumatic early life experiences. The journey from a crowded, unsanitary mill to a retail store is inherently stressful for these young, vulnerable animals, further compromising their health and emotional development. It is a disingenuous practice that prioritizes commercial gain over the fundamental welfare of living beings.
Exorbitant Pricing and Ethical Alternatives Beyond the profound ethical concerns, the pricing of puppies at Petland is often egregiously high and entirely disproportionate to the value or ethical sourcing. To illustrate, the reported cost of a French Bulldog at an astonishing $13,000 is simply indefensible. Reputable, ethical breeders who prioritize the health, temperament, and genetic integrity of their animals typically offer purebred puppies for well under $5,000. These responsible breeders invest heavily in health testing, proper socialization, and lifelong support for their animals, ensuring a much healthier and happier start for the puppies. The inflated prices at Petland not only exploit unsuspecting consumers but also serve to funnel substantial funds back into the very puppy mill industry that perpetrates animal suffering.
A Call for Conscious Consumerism:
Ultimately, making the decision to purchase a puppy from Petland carries a significant ethical weight. Supporting this business, whether through ignorance or indifference, inadvertently fuels the demand for mass-bred animals from cruel puppy mills. For those who genuinely care about animal welfare, the most responsible and compassionate choice is to avoid Petland entirely. Instead, I strongly urge prospective pet owners to consider adoption from reputable shelters and rescues, or to seek out ethical breeders who are transparent about their practices, prioritize animal health, and do not contribute to the systemic cruelty associated with commercial breeding operations. To do otherwise is to tacitly endorse practices that are, in my view, a shame to the pet industry and a disservice to the animals we...
Read morePetland in Largo, FL - A Disappointing Experience with Our Tiny Pomeranian-Yorkie
Update 7/11/24: The puppy died. We tried everything. I was waking up every 2-3 hours to try to feed him. This puppy should have never been sold. This was heartbreaking!
I am writing this review to share our unfortunate experience with Petland in Largo, FL. We recently purchased a tiny Pomeranian-Yorkie for $4000, expecting to welcome a healthy, happy puppy into our home. Unfortunately, our experience has been anything but that.
From the moment we brought the puppy home, we followed the feeding instructions given to us by Petland, feeding him 3-4 times a day. However, on the third day, the puppy began having seizures and foaming at the mouth. My aunt, who is not able to drive, was alone with the puppy and had to wait for me to come the next morning. When I arrived, the puppy was listless and clearly unwell.
We rushed him back to Petland, who advised us to take him to the vet. The vet then instructed us to go to the emergency room, where we discovered that the puppy was hypoglycemic. He was given an IV to stabilize his blood sugar levels, and the vet mentioned he might have liver issues or other health problems that would require further testing to diagnose.
Given the puppy's critical condition and the level of care he would need, we returned to Petland to discuss the situation. We explained that we would not be able to provide the necessary medical care for the puppy and requested that they take him back. Petland refused, stating that returning the puppy would be considered animal abandonment. They would offer no reimbursement for the medical care this dog would require, nor would they assist in the care of the dog.
I reached out to Petland's corporate office, hoping for a resolution that prioritized the puppy's well-being. However, we were forced to take the puppy home, despite his serious medical issues and our inability to care for him properly.
I am extremely disappointed with how Petland handled this situation. They displayed a complete lack of responsibility and compassion for the puppy's health, prioritizing profit over the animal's well-being. Selling a puppy with such severe medical issues without proper care instructions is unethical. I urge potential buyers to think twice before purchasing a pet from Petland, as our experience has been heartbreaking and distressing.
The life of the puppy should be the most important concern, and it is deeply troubling that Petland failed to take responsibility for an animal they sold just days prior. We are left with a sick puppy and a significant financial burden, with no support from the pet store that...
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