the person BUYING the dog is not a bad person AT ALL.
The bad person is the owner of the STOREFRONT selling dogs…PETOPIA.
If you can’t:
see the puppies with the mother in person,
meet the breeder in person,
see full health tests for both parents, full pedigrees, and ask detailed questions about health, temperament, and history,
get a guarantee that the breeder will offer you full support and advice for the dog’s entire life-time, including taking them back if necessary
Then yes, you are dealing with a puppy mill supplying dogs to bottom feeder retail dog sellers like Petopia. ALL Petopia locations.
No ethical breeder would give or sell their puppies to a pet store because they would want to be fully responsible for choosing appropriate homes, and giving the puppies the best start in life until they are ready. Ethical breeders also don’t breed puppies they don’t know are going to have homes: they generally have waiting lists, carry out careful vetting on prospective owners, and think carefully about which puppy (if any) would be appropriate for your home and family. They don’t just hand you a puppy and let you walk out.
When you buy from a place like Petopia, you might bring home a puppy that seems perfectly healthy at their initial vet check, but has enormous genetic health/behavioral issues down the line.
With Petopia, because THEY get their dogs from puppy mills, you are also DEFINITELY getting a puppy that has missed out on crucial early training and socialization with its mother, littermates, and knowledgeable humans during the formative early weeks of its life. Socialization starts long before a puppy comes home with you, and a puppy from a pet store is going to be at an enormous disadvantage as a result.
This is all without getting into the fact that you would be funding the continued suffering of these animals by continuing to make unethical breeding practices profitable.
Please, please, PLEASE do not get a puppy from a pet store. A 10-hour drive is nothing compared to the effort of raising a puppy right, and is more than worth it for a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder who cares about their dogs. Alternatively, look into other breeds that might suit your needs and be more common near you.
Whatever you do, avoid pet stores like the plague, whatever lies they spin.
My rescue has had virtually no health or emotional issues for the last 14 years. I don’t have any problem with people not getting dogs from a rescue. I have a problem with a puppy selling store opening up in our downtown in this day and age.
NOBODY is saying you need to get a shelter dog as your only option besides buying a puppy mill puppy from Dogtopia.
The point I was making is: there are REPUTABLE BREEDERS of whatever breed you want (most of whom have waiting lists and care DEEPLY about the homes their pups go to), who go above and beyond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their dogs (which they sell).
Get a dog from a reputable breeder if you prefer not to adopt. That’s what we did; we got on the list of some folks we learned about, and got to visit them pups several times from birth till it was time to get them at 8 weeks. We got to meet the mom, the dad, and the breeders. We got to see their AKC papers, ensure their breed/hereditary background, see the conditions they were raised in to be sure they were clean and safe, etc.
Look on facebook, the American Kennel Club website, etc. It takes more work than showing up on Fayetteville street to do a transaction with people who don’t give a about where their dogs for sale came from or where they are going, and who don’t know about the litter, the health of the mom and dad, etc.
Best source for a great dog:
REPUTABLE Breeder you pay the going rate for a pure bred dog, probably over $1000
Adopt from a humane shelter (under $100) or community events that are doing dog adoptions. I’ve even seen this occasionally at the large big-box pet stores in their entrance lobby.
NEVER patronize Petopia or any store that sells puppies or dogs separated from their litter and mom. EVER.
Maybe she can change her business model and just help people connect with reputable breeders or learn how to adopt from the shelter. Or, ideally, grooming. We really need more groomers downtown since they all seem to have 2 month wait lists lol.
There was a long line waiting to get in at opening, so I stopped in later. It was neat! They have a bulk bin of assorted bricks, Lego sets, and lots of minifigs, including a mix-and-match bin.
Let me plug breed rescues too. These groups will pull their breed from shelters, take them in from owners who have to give them up or are rescued from puppy mills. They get them healthy and foster them till they can find a forever home. If you know the breed you want, they are a great option. Dogs are usually already housebroken. We’ve had 8 basset rescues, and a lab who washed out of of Auburn’s bomb dog school.
I regret to inform y’all that a “petition on Reddit” has zero legal bearing and will have zero effect on whether or not this store opens. Public outcry can certainly tempt a business from going forward with its plans… but legally and monetarily it holds no water lmao
I didn’t mean to imply that it held legal power, but that it looks like this pet shop is the next thing we’re all going to care about, that we’re past the ‘maybe don’t shop there’ phase. The petition is up to 11,000, there’s people yelling on her fb & instagram.
I just don’t think the store is going to make it at this point
Their website pretty much claims not to be a puppy mill. I really don’t know and am not defending them. But has anyone actually looked into this in detail, or is this just the next things to get enraged about without knowing all the details?
Why Choose Petopia For Dog
Breeding & Adoption?
Ethical Practices and Well-being - Petopia prioritizes ethical breeding practices and the well-being of their dogs, providing a loving environment and necessary attention for happy and well-adjusted companions.
Recognition and Reputation - With multiple awards and 5-star reviews, Petopia has gained a strong reputation in the industry, known for their excellence and responsible breeding practices.
Genetic Soundness and Temperament - Petopia carefully selects breeding pairs based on health, temperament, and breed standards, ensuring genetically sound and well-balanced puppies.
Ongoing Support and Guidance - Petopia offers ongoing support and guidance to their clients, providing resources and expertise for a smooth transition and long-term happiness for both the puppy and its new family.
Convenient and Reliable Delivery - Petopia offers convenient delivery options, including Flight Nanny Services and Ground Delivery, handling logistics for stress-free transportation of puppies to their new homes.
Willow House Coffee is expected to open Jan 8 at 1004 S Saunders Street across from Dix Park. This the former old dry cleaning building on the corner. Indoor seating for about 35 people plus outdoor seating. The menu will include coffee drinks from Black and White Coffee Bean Roasters, Kombucha, tea, and juices. Other offerings include baked goods and sweets.
I guess this will be an alternative to Benchwarmer’s. Good luck to these folks. I am glad to see another place opening up.
Anyone know anything about the Oakwood Deli opening in the old dry cleaners on New Bern (331 New Bern to be exact)? Probably pretty self-explanatory by the name, but just curious if anyone has the backstory or might know when they’re opening.
about where their dogs for sale came from or where they are going, and who don’t know 
