This section lists situations as told by people who purchased puppies from Petz Unlimited or Petland in Mechanicsburg, PA.
These situations show that the animals sold at pet stores are
often not as "healthy" as the stores claim.

Terri - Purchased a Bichon/Jack Russell mix pup in November, 2002, from Petz Unlimited. The puppy, named Aspen, was taken to regular vet visit a few days later and diagnosed with Kennel Cough and given antibiotics. 2 days later, puppy was in a critical state, breathing heavy through her nose and throwing up. Terri and her husband took the puppy to an emergency vet clinic at 4:20 am. The puppy was examined and had severe pneumonia, a low white blood cell count, and a temperature of 103.4. The vet explained to Terri that "more than likely the puppy did not get the antibodies needed from her mother to carry her till her own immune system developed." Terri watched her puppy deteriorate to gasping for air through her mouth. The vet explained that the puppy did not have an immune system to combat the pneumonia and would not survive. Terri made the choice to have her new puppy who was 7 weeks old weighing 1 lb. 12 oz. euthanized to end her suffering. After contacting Petz Unlimited concerning the fate of the puppy, she was informed that the store would not reimburse for her vet bills but "graciously" agreed to refund her purchase price of the puppy. Sadly, Terri found out the next day that this puppy's brother died 3 days before under similiar circumstances and they were not notified by the store to seek immediate treatment to prevent this from happening to them and their precious Aspen. Terri only had her puppy for 7 days, but loves and misses her still to this day. Found out that puppy came from commercial breeder (puppymill) in Juniata County who had approx. 5,000 dogs on the premises last year!

Wendy - Purchased a German Shepherd from Petland (previous store of Mr. Dare) 4 years ago. Health problems totaling over $4,000 so far. Chronic ear infections, elbow defects, and total hip replacement when dog was 3 years old. Various genetic defects. He will require another hip replacement in the next few years. Sad update 9/10/03-I was contacted by Wendy who informed me she has to put her dog to sleep because he bit her child requiring staples in his head. She stated that he has had unpredictable agrression problems in the past and she could not allow this to continue. Considering his chronic health problems and a likely future hip replacement, she feels the best alternative for him is to be euthanized. These medical problems and psychological problems are typical of puppy mills dogs.

Kim - German Shepherd purchased in 2002 became very ill after 2 days. Vet concluded a parasite infestation inside her body. This was being treated at the store but the dosage given her was not the proper dosage for her size and age and was not given to her for the correct time limit to destroy the parasite. She was also not informed of this problem at purchase. No monetary reimbursement was given for vet bills totaling $503.34. She states she attempted contact with the store and even visited the store a few times, and Mr. Dare was never available to speak with her. Also, the dog was sold as an AKC registered dog, but no papers came. After contacting the store, they sent ACA papers instead. The store was again contacted and told Kim they would straighten it out and give her the AKC papers. The AKC papers have yet to arrive. Also, the pup has pancreatic problem which requires a special diet (another physical problem found in a pet store pup!)

Teresa - Purchased a puppy in July, 2002, from Petz Unlimited. She was told he was from a "reputable breeder." Teresa has been unable to find a breeder to exist which matches the information given to her. According to the vet, the dog was 12 weeks old, but Teresa was told he was only 8 weeks. Also, after 24 WEEKS OF TRAINING and constant socialization attempts, her dog is still very timid and skittish, and has had little improvement.

Casey - (August, 2003) Went into Petz Unlimited 3 weeks ago just to look around at all the animals. There she saw a sad little orange tabby kitten lying there in his cage. Then as she looked closer she saw a little kitten she describes as very sickly (the store states he had "the flu") and seemed to be in pain. Casey says that in her opinion the tail of this kitten was obviously chopped off. They were selling this kitten as a purebred Bobtail! Casey says she saw the tail was scabbed, oozing puss, and you could see what looked like bone material. She had the opinion that the whole rear-end of this kitten was very swollen. Casey offered an employee of the store $50 just to "save it" and rush it to the vet, but the employee refused stating that the price of the kitten was almost $500! Casey could not afford that outrageous amount and left the store.

Sharon - Purchased a Bichon/Poodle mix in August, 2001 from Petland (former store of Mr. Dare). Pup had major anxiety issues since brought home, including anxiety-provoked aggression. When walked on leash, the puppy would turn around and bark and try to bite the person. Sharon even got him neutered at young age to try to curb the behavior, but it didn’t stop. A behavior specialist treating the pup said in her opinion the puppy won’t overcome the anxiety issues unless continuously medicated. The behaviorist gave the opinion that "poor breeding" was likely the cause. Also, the puppy became sick with Kennel Cough within a few days of purchase.

Barbara - Purchased a Llaso Apso/American Eskimo mix for $550 at Petz Unlimited in September, 2002. Barbara visited the store every few weeks and kept seeing this puppy there. She finally broke down and bought her when she was 4 months old. When Barbara got her out of her little cage, the pup was very hyper (her friend said the dog was crazy-the pup even bit her in the ear at the store). Barbara thought the pup's behavior was just because it had been in a cage and once she got her home, she would be fine with a nice yard and kids to play with. Unfortunately, that was not the case. When the pup was brought home, she would growl and snarl aggressively during training. When people would walk across the floor, the pup would nip and bite aggressively at the person walking. The pup was taken to the vet and a vet tech gave Barbara a dog trainer's info. The dog trainer came over (the pup was 6 months old at that time). After just 10 minutes with the pup, the trainer stated her opinon was that the puppy was "dominant aggressive" and "highly reactive." The trainer stated that the two breeds should never have been bred together because of temperaments, etc. and should have never been placed with in a home with children. Barbara made the choice for her family to take the pup to a shelter in November, 2002.


December, 2003 - Right before Christmas, a friend of a neighbor purchased a Bichon/Pomeranian puppy at Petz Unlimited which was diagnosed by a veterinarian with Parvo, a highly contagious, often deadly disease. The puppy had severe Diarrhea and was vomitting just days after purchase. Luckily, after hospitalization of this puppy, it managed to survive.

March 7, 2004 - I received an email from someone who mistakenly thought they were emailing Petz Unlimited. This is the email I received:

Petz Unlimited Pet Store 6560 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg, PA Yesterday I visited your pet store and seen it was a very clean and nice. There was one thing that concern me and that was how the Ferrets were kept, I pick them both up an played with them, they were nice ones. My concern is that it is not healthy for then to be in that dusty stuff, Ferrets constantly breathing dust causes Respiratory problems. Also that dust stuff is in their food and all over them, their little house that is in with them and who ever pets or picks them up. Also they had no SMALL TOYS to play with nothing to do makes them mean and unhappy. And I didn't see any litter box in any corner, if they have one they would use it and if people see that they are potty trained it would get them a home quicker. If you have a Ferret book in the store it will tell you what to do. I don't mean to be smart or bossy, I just love Ferrets, have two of my own, but didn't sleep last night thinking about the two in your store.