Most of us are aware of the horrors of puppy mills, and understand that buying a puppy from a pet store supports the cycle of abusively sordid care and practices that continues behind the scenes. We know that the cute puppy in the store window has come from a bad world. It's the same, only worse, for small pets. Hobby and show breeders contribute to that reality, whether they realize it or not. Find out more...

Adopting is the responsible way to acquire a pet. Your new pet can best be found from either your local shelter (ASPCA, Humane Society or local animal care and control) or a rescue or a private adoption. Please avoid "free for adoption" animals at a store that also sells pets. Even when pet-selling stores are offering pets for free (to "adopt"), you should not offer your patronage to stores that are continuously breaching the ethics of animal welfare. They simply want you to support their business model: provide you with a pet as cheaply as they can, so that you come back for the profitable supplies and food. Stores typically lose money on the sale of their pet stock. Live pets sold in stores are "loss leaders" -- there only to draw you in and create demand for the rest of the more profitable items. Please shop at stores that do not carry any live animals. We vote for change with our dollars.