This research was done by Bailing Out Benji and must be cited as such.
March 2023
Sick puppies in pet stores are a sad reality that many potential pet owners are not aware of. Pet stores are often the go-to place for people looking to adopt a new furry friend because they are opportunistic and feed into impulse purchases- but they can also be the source of heartbreak for the unsuspecting buyer.
Based on records that Bailing Out Benji obtained from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture for 2022, it seems that at least one pet store in Omaha is knowingly importing and reselling puppies with genetic health issues.
Our research team forensically analyzed 79 shipping records from out-of-state breeding facilities selling to Tully’s Kennels located at 7777 D St, in Omaha, Nebraska. Of those 79 shipping records, 26 of them had notes reflecting genetic illnesses or documented puppies under 8 weeks old that were being transported. These health issues were reported on the Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, which were collected before the puppies left their breeding facility.
These documented illnesses/ailments included:
- 7 puppies with umbilical hernias
- 1 puppy with an inguinal hernia
- 6 puppies with luxating patellas
- 4 puppies with various skin issues
- 1 puppy was noted as having a ‘’gallop rhythm’ in their heart.
*It is important to note that the vast majority of the CVIs we obtain make no note of the health issues of puppies or the medications given to them while they are at the breeding facility. These health issues also do not include animals who may have been diagnosed with illnesses after they were sold.
A few examples of the records we are referring to can be found below.
Only three breeding facilities produced these 19 puppies that were noted as having health issues.
Puppy mills are a major contributor to the problem of sick puppies in pet stores. These are large-scale commercial breeding facilities that prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals they produce. Puppy mills often keep dogs in cramped, unsanitary conditions, with little to no access to proper food, water, or veterinary care. As a result, the puppies born in these mills are often sick, malnourished, and prone to a host of health problems. To learn more about puppy mills, click here.
Pet stores that source their puppies from puppy mills are complicit in the perpetuation of this cruel industry. By purchasing puppies from these mills, pet stores provide a market for breeders who prioritize profit over animal welfare. And when these sick puppies are sold to unsuspecting buyers, it only perpetuates the cycle of abuse. To view the facilities that supply Nebraska pet stores, click here.
This research was done by Bailing Out Benji and must be cited as such.
March 2023
