On February 29, 2012, I purchased two puppies from a local pet store. This event embarked me on a trip; which I was clearly not prepared for. It has been a road full of twists and turns; but mainly of enlightenment.

Unknown to me, these two puppies appeared to have come from a puppy mill operation in Missouri. Both dogs became gravely ill a few days later. Both were originally suspected to have distemper which was ruled out by my vet. They actually had bacterial pneumonia which require 24-hour IV treatments. After several weeks of hard work, mainly be me, the dogs got better. I did have the incredible dedication of my own vet nd the local emergency clinic. I refused to take the puppies to the vets recommended by the pet store.

All the work and stress took a devastating toll on my health. These puppies by having a very questionable beginning at a puppy mill (which now has current USDA violations), a grueling transport to the State of Florida, and an almost fatal infection, proved to be a challenge to me. I was not able to climb that cliff. I developed an extremely painful condition of plantar fasciitis with a heel spur. I had to surrendered the puppies to the local SPCA. I was told a few days later that they were adopted.

I was left alone with no puppies, no savings, and a heartache that will take years to recover from.

As I am picking out the pieces, I became aware that the Pet Store acquired the pets through their own broker’s license from a breeder with known USDA violations. The puppies were apparently examined by local vet from a well-known national chain. Vaccinations and exam were reported to have been administered by him on February 23, 2012, as he signed the report.

I am appalled that a doctor in veterinary medicine would even consider have an exclusive agreement with a puppy broker who is well-known to acquire puppies from breeders with known USDA violations. I find this practice extremely unethical. I was told that I needed to go the vets with agreement with the pet store in order not to incur additional expenses.

I certainly hope that you organization is considering issuing ethical standards regarding exclusive agreements of veterinarians with Pet Stores. The initial certificate of inspection provided to me does not have any information regarding the initial veterinary visit as required by State Law. At a minimum, these vets needs to know where these puppies come from, how they were transported and assure that the breeder has a current favorable inspection with the USDA. A copy of of all the transfers of ownership with the appropriate USDA licenses need to be on the certificate and reviewed by the doctor. I frankly feel that puppy stores need to include pictures of the mother, father and litter before they can sell a puppy. We need to know where these puppies came from.

The argument that additional red tape would create hardship to the vet clinics is not a valid one. The vets are surely not shy to charge $1,000 for an overnight stay.

This practice of allowing vets to clear puppies to be sold at local pet stores needs to be challenged in the local, state and national level. Many of these puppies end up dead, caged, tied up in a yard, abandoned or surrendered. I find it quite ironic that we are pouring millions of dollars to the Humane Society and the SPCA to take care of these same puppies, which were initially examined by a veterinarian. We need to put an end to this.

I feel that you could be a huge part to the solution. In the mean time, I will continue my letter writing campaign. I am writing everyone that I can think of to end the suffering of these puppy mill unhealthy puppies and the unsuspected owners who buy them. Let my pain be a lesson. Let my pain be a the energy for change.