Angella was so happy when her mom surprised her with an adorable Shih Tzu puppy from the local pet store on Christmas. Her mom had saved for a long time to afford the nearly $3,000 puppy. 

The three-pound puppy, whom Angella named Giant, seemed playful and healthy. But within 48 hours of leaving the pet store, he was vomiting violently, had diarrhea and could barely stay awake. Angella rushed the dog to the emergency vet clinic where he was diagnosed with parvo—a life-threatening illness. 

Angella called the pet store who told her to bring the dog to the store’s veterinarian. Days later, she found out her puppy was dead. She said the day Giant died was the “worst day of her life,” and wants no one else to experience this kind of tragedy. 

Angella’s story is awful, but she isn’t alone. A brand-new national survey commissioned by the ASPCA reveals that one in four people bought a puppy from a pet store who became severely ill or know someone who did. Nearly half (45 %) report that the sick puppy died.

The risk of getting a sick puppy isn’t the only reason to avoid pet stores. Puppies sold in pet stores come from commercial breeding operations (a.k.a. puppy mills) that prioritize profit over welfare. Dogs in these facilities spend most of their lives in cramped cages, with little human interaction. They are bred repeatedly and receive minimal health care. 

By adopting from shelters or working with responsible breeders we can put an end to these cruel practices. Visit Barred From Love to find out how you can make a difference and stand up for puppies like Giant.