Puppy Buying in Ohio - Kamms Pet Store Cleveland

Do not buy a puppy from a pet store; especially Kamms Pet & Supply at 17454 Lorain Ave Cleveland, OH 44111 in Kamms Plaza or anywhere in the country. I want to bring awareness and attention to a horrific but not new discovery that we often don't think about. When you purchase puppies or kittens from pet stores, online or at malls, you're supporting mills. When we buy items and supplies at these stores, we contribute to a cruel underground business that exploits life. They're only alive to breed and support consumer demand for puppies. We're the consumers.




If you're not familiar with the definition of a puppy mill, it's similar to raising cattle for production. Often times female dogs are kept in tiny cages and are forced to breed as often as possible for their entire lives. No love, grass, walks, proper attention or care given. Once they've produced many money making litters, they're put down. There are SO many strays and beautiful, loving dogs and cats available for adoption, there's no reason to continue breeding them in these conditions.

I'm guilty as charged. I purchased my Silky Terrier from the Kamms Pet pet store in WestPark, Ohio for $900 (My baby is in the photos). He was adorable and I fell in love. I honestly didn't know a thing about mills or what was behind all this. All I knew was I saw him in a 10 gallon aquarium. He looked at me and that was it. The pet shop owner assured me that all his dogs are USDA certified and the places he purchases them from are inspected and stamped for approval. I believed this because it's a very well known pet store in Kamms Corner, in Cleveland. After doing my own investigating, I learned something else completely. The AKA papers for my silky had the mill at the top. I dug around and found it's no different than any other mill.


I instantly thought of my puppy's family and parents still there and the conditions these dogs are living in. It's really too sad. I just wanted to spread the word and let anyone know that may be in the market to buy a designer dog or a new pet from a pet store, to please head to a shelter and adopt or at least look in the paper and buy from a home based, local breeder. I learned that NO local breeder would sell their dogs or cats to pet stores. They adopt them out only to people they believe will take care of the dogs and they don't keep them in aquariums...

Even if the owner of the store promises and tells you they buy local or not from mills, it's almost impossible. Investigate where they get their dogs first before purchasing. I'm a REALTOR. While talking to buyers or showing backyards perfect for pets, when they agree, (and many new home owners will buy a dog.) I try to spread the word without being pushy of course. Just a simple, "This is a great yard for a dog, just please adopt and not buy one from a pet store or mall." Another reason to adopt locally; the increase of foreclosures will lead to home owners giving up their pets to rent homes that don't allow animals.

Puppy mills sell to local Pet Stores and malls for $10-$60 per puppy but you pay at least 10 times more. Some puppies purchased in pet stores are often aggressive, problemed and hard to house train. My puppy at the age of one started going blind. He has full cataracts in both eyes and the operation is $4,000. He also sucks on every blanket and pillow because it reminds him of his mother which he was probably snatched away from way too young. Puppy mill puppies are often inbred and therefore face mental and behavioral issues. PetSmart is a wonderful chain. They don't sell puppies, (Which I'm sure they'd make a mint on) and only sell cats and kittens that are strays or have been neglected. Adopting from them is safe and purchasing their in-store products at least go to support animals not mills.

Thanks for reading and please spread the word, even if just randomly; "Don't buy from pet stores." Not that I want to see them out of business, but until they change their method of greed and obtaining animals I've lost respect and won't buy a single item from a store that sells puppies. If you're going to be buying a new puppy in the Cleveland area, please ask the owner questions. There are many Cleveland area pet stores that buy their puppies from puppy mills and give you the standard, "We don't buy them from puppy mills" speech. Ask to see the papers of where they obtain their puppies and do your own research online before going back to purchase. Maybe together we can stop these dogs from being sold in Ohio.

Are there more important topics in the world to blog about and bring awareness to? Sure. This one hits home with me and is very real estate related. One out of three new home buyers say they will purchase a new puppy. There's not enough focus or attention on this problem and it continues to persist. Help me stop it. Adopt! If you're a dog lover, please share this link with your family and friends on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks and make sure you take a minute to watch the videos on this site... Stop Puppy Mills