Within a matter of months, activists have succeeded in changing a store from a puppy mill vendor to an animal rescue venture.
A pet store in the small town of Elyria, Ohio was the target of intense protests by animal rights activists for months before deciding to close down. Now, a new owner is opening a pet store in the same location that will only have rescued cats and dogs available for adoption.
The previous store, Animal Zone, came under fire after many customers reported animals falling ill just days after purchase, with many reported deaths. The new store, Animal House, will not only feature rescued animals up for adoption, but will donate a portion of sales to Ohio Pet Placement, an independent nonprofit group.
All animals will be spayed or neutered and receive vaccinations. Dog training and grooming services will also be available.
“They are going to adopt out animals, not sell them,” said Becky Ayers, an activist who had protested Animal Zone. “And all are going to be spayed or neutered. That will be a big plus in our community. If only all pet stores could do this.”
via Chonicle-Telegram Photo Credit: doortoriver on flickr under a Creative Commons license.
I have been reading over all the comments and like all rescues you cannot guarantee the background on anyone.Some illnesses show no symptoms, just like some situations with people…..Anyhow; I love the New animal house. I had been kicked out of Animal Zone on several occasions for pointing out the neglect…in a not so quiet way!! The staff is great, Keep it up. I usually talk with a girl named Marissa when I come in, you can tell she loves all the animals and they love her back. SO GLAD FOR THE CHANGE…ps people remember what the word RESCUE MEANS
My husband and I adopted a Staffordshire Terrier/Mix that had been confiscated and placed in a kill shelter. She was a victim of abuse and neglect not to mention a breeding machine. Ohio Pet Placement took her, not because she was highly marketable, in fact she was quite emaciated, but because they truly cared about her when no one else did. They spayed her, kept her for many months and because of her extreme shyness no one was interested in her. My husband and I adopted her at age three and have now had her for a year and a half. She has truly been a blessing to us Thank you Ohio Pet Placement for taking a dog that no one obviously wanted, a dog whose destiny lied solely in your hands and providing us with such a wonderful family member! Keep up the Great Work!
We bought a puggle puppy there this past December. She was 9 weeks old and healthy. She is friendly (jumped into our arms at the store) and VERY smart. A young man (who admitted to being a new employee) did misquote me on the price 2 times, but my husband and I fell in love with this pup. She was in a cage with her sister. Although I thought the cage was too small, my vet assured me that small dog breeds feel secure in small spaces…hence crate training your dog. One yellow lab puppy who was pudgy (well fed looking) did seem to be infested with flees, but that is VERY common when you have a group of animals. Flees are easily contagious AND can come from unhealthy on-lookers with poor hygiene. I don’t think it was Animal Zone when we got our puppy and if it was, then I believe it was in transition mode. We got a wonderful dog, and the animals (minus flees) looked fine.
ALL animals need homes. Why snub the ones in stores? What happens to them? Will they get thrown in the streets and end up in pounds? Then will you adopt them? OR will they get euthanasia because no one cared to give them a Forever Home? SAVE ALL DOGS!!!
Animal lovers beware! We purchased a puppy from Ohio Pet Placement (a $250 adoption fee) and it died in a matter of days from Parvo. We spent over $1000 to try to save the puppy and Ohio Pet Placement has done nothing to help us recover that cost. They offered us another puppy who also came home with Parvo. While I support organizations that save animals, there are more reputable, professional adoption agencies out there.