Comments on: Buying puppies from the flea market or swap meet?

By: howldine

howldine — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:57:06 +0000

You can find a lab or lab mix puppy at literally a thousand shelters across America. They are the most common breed found in rescues, shelters, and pounds. Here-
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18,777 Labs and Lab mixes available for adoption on Petfinder. Flea market pups aren’t worth their FLEAS. Don’t support puppy mills. Save a life and ADOPT. Thank you.

By: pixiedust_36

pixiedust_36 — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:36:21 +0000

Puppy mills sell dogs at flea markets. A reputable breeder would not do that because most are picky where their dogs go. If your mother doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a dog..I am assuming this because she is considering buying from a flea market. she could put her money towards adopting a dog or puppy from a shelter. All shelters have the dogs up to date on shots and wormer..etc and most have them spayed or neutered before they will let them go. There are a lot of good dogs sitting in a shelter hoping that special person comes and gives them a loving and safe home. If more people would go to the shelters to find their new best buddy, maybe these despicable back yard breeders would disappear.

By: Tigerbabe

Tigerbabe — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:54:57 +0000

Definitely not a reputable breeder!

A true reputable breeder will almost never have puppies available. Simply because each of their litters are planned and the puppies have been spoken for well before they are born. A breeder will have a waiting list of potential owners that have already been pre-screened by the breeder and have given a non-refundable deposit to secure their chance to own a puppy.

Breeders also would never sell their pups at a pet store or swap meet. Those people selling at the flea markets aren’t perminant, they lease a space to sell their goods to the public. After the pups are sold, how sure are you that you will be able to track down the seller if a health problem were to arise with your new pup!

Steer clear of those sellers.

By: DarkEyes

DarkEyes — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:30:09 +0000

Gr-8 RESPONSIBLE QUESTION>!!!

I can’t wait to see the answers you’ll get. Mostly from mills I’ll bet. Will they provide innoculation records? (I’ll bet not). I don’t think there’s any way you can make SURE.

Why doesn’t she RESCUE a puppy from a shelter or vet?

By: ♥Pit Bull♥

♥Pit Bull♥ — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:17:40 +0000

They are from Back Yard Breeders.

By: Sashaleana

Sashaleana — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:46:57 +0000

It depends. I’ve seen family bred and raised puppies sold at places like that but I think more often they are puppy mill puppies. Ask the seller if the puppies where the puppies were born. Also, ask them if the puppies have had their shots (ask for the paperwork)
I think you are better off trying to find a breeder that you can go to their facility (or house) and look at the puppies. Then you will know exactly where they came from.
Another idea is adopting a puppy. Have you looked on Petfinder yet? If not, here’s the address:
Personally, I think rescued/adopted dogs are the best I wish you luck finding your new puppy!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:43:28 +0000

Purchasing a puppy from a flea market, pet store, or “swap meet” is just asking for an unhealthy, hastily bred dog. *AKA - a “puppy mill” dog.* Labarador Retrievers, in particular, must be very carefully bred to ensure genetic disorders such as Hip Dysplasia are not passed on to future generations.
If your mother is dead-set on a purebred, find a reputable breeder that has documentation on ALL of their dogs. If the dog can be mixed-breed or not papered, take your mom to the local SPCA and Animal Control to find a great dog that needs a home!
Good luck on your search!

By: Jane B

Jane B — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:57:33 +0000

Most of the dogs sold at flea markets are byb’s looking for an outlet to peddle their dogs. I have heard some whoppers as far as what these people will say to sell their dogs. I watched one couple check out a puppy with an obvious skin disorder, and the seller spin a story about how it was a puppy rash and very normal. Thank God they didn’t get the pup.
When I started asking questions, he wouldn’t talk to me….

By: Ashley

Ashley — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:23:23 +0000

I would guess that many puppies sold at these places would be sold by breeders and not from puppy mills, however I guess it does depend. You would need to research it a lot and ask a lot of questions. Also, I wouldn’t really count on the puppies having their shots, although it is possible. I think it could be a good idea, it just depends on the kind of people selling the dogs and all of that. I think you could probably feel the people out and find out if they are good people or not. Good Luck!!

By: I LOVE ABBY!!!

I LOVE ABBY!!! — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:43:27 +0000

they most likely do come from a puppymill, just look at the health of the puppy i dont think you should buy one!!!
i think you should adopt a puppy from a shelter… they have amazing dogs and puppys.. even labs