Review: Puppies Of Westport

[Kelly]

We purchased two puppies and both within 7 days become very ill with pnemonia. One had to be hospitalized for two days. They also both had to go to the emergency vet clinic 2 times due to the illness. On top of all of this they had to be treated for alolmst 2 months because of all the parisites they had. Ghirdia is even one that babies and humans can contract and get very ill from. I just wanted to share my experience because monty (one of the owners) was extremely rude and demeaning through this whole horrible experience. I also feel that after 7 days they should have assumed some of the resposibilites of the almost 3000 medical bills. Approach with caution! after spending 3500 for the dogs they will also con you into buying a bunch of overpriced merchindise 500.00 to be exact that we have yet to use.

[Jack]

This store has a HORRIBLE reputation and lies about not buying from puppy mills.

[Marcel]

I used to work there in the back, what kelly said is very true. I have seen and taken care of many of the dogs there. Many of them are infected with parasites as evidenced by blood in the stool. Most of the dogs have poor digestive health, diarrhea being a common occurrence. I sorted the invoices for Monty twice in my time there and it appears they buy most of their dogs from three or four "breeders." However, I am certain these so called breeders were indeed puppy mills. I have witnessed the new dogs coming in by the truckload. The dogs are far overpriced and are in very poor health, an hispanic woman named Martha (who is very nice) gives the dogs medication without medical training, this is the only medical care these dogs receive. I know several customers there who's dogs had sadly passed away soon after purchase. Please do not give Monty or Lauren any more business, the way they treat the dogs there is despicable and they should be shut down. Please adopt!

[Nichole]

I recently purchased puppy from Puppies of Westport as well. We were advised to pick her up on a Tuesday because the vet was coming on Monday to check out the dogs. So we picked her up and scheduled an apt just for a check up to make sure she is ok. Within that week, she became sick. When we took her to the vet she has kettle cough and has blood in her stool. I find it hard to believe that a vet checked out the puppies on Monday and then all of a sudden my puppy comes down with these illness. We also paid alot of money for her and spent alot already on medication. We contacted Puppies of Westport and they stated they would give us a store credit. We do not want a store credit, their items are over priced! We told them this and they were very rude and disrespectful. We love our puppy to death and are so happy with her, it just hurts us to see her sick. I would not recommend purchasing a puppy from puppies of westport. We are not happy with the services. Thank you.

[past employee]

you all are full of lies you have no idea what any of you are talking about Monty and Lauren dedicate their lives to taking care of these dogs. they take better care of the dogs in the store than half the people treat their dogs at home. there not a normal pet store every dog is out of their cage getting excersise numerous times a day and Marta works so hard to make sure their health is up to date along with south Wilton vet clinic who works side by side with Monty and Lauren. i myself have seen them come in at six am on Christmas just to make a child's dream come true. to the people who stand outside on sat mornings and write these stupid emails get a life find something else to do than pick on two innocent people who dedicate their lives to loving these sweet puppies. and parasites come from puppies parents not from Monty or Lauren. I've gotten dogs from top breeders and they had parasites too so if your not happy with the store go somewhere else but don't write stupid lies on the internet about them.

[Meghan]

My boyfriend and I bought the sweetest little golden retriever puppy, Charlie, last month from Puppies of Westport. While at the store, Lauren Kaufman, co-owner, told us a false story of where Charlie was bred. She said "this puppy was actually locally bred by a small breeder. The breeder actually breeds the puppies in her own bedroom around her own children which makes the puppies comfortable around children right from birth", she said. This was not true! When we received the breeder information the next day, we found out that Charlie was actually bred in Missouri by a well known Puppy Mill owner, Noah Cressel.

We immediately took Charlie to the South Wilton Veterinary Group. This vet was recommended by Puppies of Westport. Puppies of Westport said that they would only pay for his puppy shots and first vet bill if we took him to this vet only. They also told us that Charlie had most of his puppy shots and only needed a few more.

After his first visit, our vet told us that Charlie had an upper repertory infection, a parasite known as Giardia, and cataracts. We were told that that the infection and parasites were treatable with medicine but that the cataracts would affect Charlie's vision forever. We were also told that the shots Charlie has already received would not be acceptable, as they were given to Charlie by the "breeder" at too young of an age. Therefore at the end of this first vet appointment, Charlie was too sick to receive any puppy shots, he needed 3 different medications, 2 for the infection and 1 for the Giardia, and the vet needed to see him again the following week.

[grateful]

Thank you for your posting. I almost bought a puppy from them and something didn't feel right about them. Now today I almost went back to go through with it, and your posting along with all of the others has stopped me in my tracks. We'll rescue instead and probably end up with a healthier puppy! Good job.

Kelly wrote:

We purchased two puppies and both within 7 days become very ill with pnemonia. One had to be hospitalized for two days. They also both had to go to the emergency vet clinic 2 times due to the illness. On top of all of this they had to be treated for alolmst 2 months because of all the parisites they had. Ghirdia is even one that babies and humans can contract and get very ill from. I just wanted to share my experience because monty (one of the owners) was extremely rude and demeaning through this whole horrible experience. I also feel that after 7 days they should have assumed some of the resposibilites of the almost 3000 medical bills. Approach with caution! after spending 3500 for the dogs they will also con you into buying a bunch of overpriced merchindise 500.00 to be exact that we have yet to use.

[Vet Nurse]

I am sorry for all of you who have had bad experiences with pet shop puppies. My friends and I can possibly help...go to our website www.savepuppymilldogs.com to see all of our research about puppy mills and their connection to pet shops, local ones included. We have Connecticut state documents proving where pet shops get their puppies from and very often have USDA inspection reports of those "breeders"! You all would be sick to read some of the reports that we have. You can also request a free, CONFIDENTIAL consultation with a fabulous attorney who unfortunately knows all too well the horrors of puppy mills and pet shops! Lastly, a new Puppy Lemon Law was just signed by Governor Jodi Rell and covers pups bought from pet shops on or after July 1, 2009!! This new, updated law, while by no means perfect, is a good start to help consumers like yourselves and the puppies you purchase! Good Luck and CONTACT US!!

[Disney]

I have witnessed the awful treatment of these puppies at Puppies of Westport. These puppies do not get enough attention and because they are caged most the day they do acquire more health issues. It broke my heart to watch large breeds grow in a cage that in no way supported their needs. The only thing I could do was give them as much attention as I could and hope that even though those puppies may have health issues, they do deserve a home. I do hope that they stop selling puppies because these dogs remain too long in a cage and do not get the attention socially or medically. I eventually purchased a dog from them whom I love dearly and even though it infuriates me the thought of how she grew up I still cannot regret receiving her.

But recently she has shown some possible inherited heart issues and it is tearing me up to watch the possible result to come as well as the bill to attain such tests. If anyone knows of any information on possible inherited heart issues (dachshund from Mooney Dogwood Hills farms sold from Puppies of Westport). I would greatly appreciate the information, I am not looking to sue the store or breeder I just want all the info I can to do the best for my own pup. I am trying to figure out what exactly her diagnoses is to find the best treatment available but I cannot acquire any information on whether her parents did indeed have a similar issue so that I can treat it immediatly.

The owners of the store do love dogs but maybe need to rethink if it is worth attaining dogs and just stick to dog supplies. Puppy stores need to be shut down somehow along with puppy mills. Because without puppy stores puppy mills could not operate. We are overbreeding these loving and helpless animals and it needs to stop.
I have been lied to about the care of the puppies at the store and also the location of where the puppies came from. But again those puppies in the store should not be the ones to suffer they are just as sweet and loving as any other. I pray that this inhumane business will change and that the puppies themselves will not be the ones that are continually victimized. I do apologize to those that have dealt with those puppies that have been purchased and suffered dearly. To those reading I hope someone finds a way to put an end to this madness.

Also if anyone has any information or similar experience of a heart issue of an acquired dachshund from puppies of Westport, I would sincerely greatly appreciate it.

[Vet Nurse]

Disney wrote:

I have witnessed the awful treatment of these puppies at Puppies of Westport. These puppies do not get enough attention and because they are caged most the day they do acquire more health issues. It broke my heart to watch large breeds grow in a cage that in no way supported their needs. The only thing I could do was give them as much attention as I could and hope that even though those puppies may have health issues, they do deserve a home. I do hope that they stop selling puppies because these dogs remain too long in a cage and do not get the attention socially or medically. I eventually purchased a dog from them whom I love dearly and even though it infuriates me the thought of how she grew up I still cannot regret receiving her.
But recently she has shown some possible inherited heart issues and it is tearing me up to watch the possible result to come as well as the bill to attain such tests. If anyone knows of any information on possible inherited heart issues (dachshund from Mooney Dogwood Hills farms sold from Puppies of Westport). I would greatly appreciate the information, I am not looking to sue the store or breeder I just want all the info I can to do the best for my own pup. I am trying to figure out what exactly her diagnoses is to find the best treatment available but I cannot acquire any information on whether her parents did indeed have a similar issue so that I can treat it immediatly.
The owners of the store do love dogs but maybe need to rethink if it is worth attaining dogs and just stick to dog supplies. Puppy stores need to be shut down somehow along with puppy mills. Because without puppy stores puppy mills could not operate. We are overbreeding these loving and helpless animals and it needs to stop.
I have been lied to about the care of the puppies at the store and also the location of where the puppies came from. But again those puppies in the store should not be the ones to suffer they are just as sweet and loving as any other. I pray that this inhumane business will change and that the puppies themselves will not be the ones that are continually victimized. I do apologize to those that have dealt with those puppies that have been purchased and suffered dearly. To those reading I hope someone finds a way to put an end to this madness.
Also if anyone has any information or similar experience of a heart issue of an acquired dachshund from puppies of Westport, I would sincerely greatly appreciate it.

Disney, I am so sorry you are having problems with your beloved dachsy! The best place to start is with your regular vet!! He/she can always refer you to a cardiologist if necessary.

Those of us who object to/protest pet shops that sell puppies do so because THE PUPPIES COME FROM PUPPY MILLS, which, apparently you have learned, albeit the hard way. The fight to end these mills takes on all aspects of the insidious industry (the 'breeders'/millers, the distributors who ship puppies like cargo, and the shops that sell them). But the public MUST NOT BUY THESE PUPS! Where some people goodheartedly think they are 'rescuing' the pups, all they are really doing is making room for another one to be bred and brought to the shop.

It is nice to know, however, that you took as good and loving care of the puppies as you did. They were lucky to have you!

Come visit our website for more info!
www.savepuppymilldogs.com
Westport Coalition Against Puppy Mills

[someone with a life]

ive been in puppies of westport many times and i know that all of the animals are well taken care of. the crates are kept spotless by a large crew of people and well exercised. in the morning all of the dogs are let out to play with eachother and i see throughout the day the staff walking the dogs outside of the store. i think that all these idiots in westport need to find something better to do with there time instead of protesting a hardworking business. if you want to protest some one go to petland discount in portchester but its not convenient for all the locals so you stand in front of whats close to you. and disney by the way giardia is very common in all puppies including my own. it has nothing to do with where you get your dog from. my dog got it on a regular basis from stagnant water in bennets farm park. so try to research something before you open your mouth. and by the way disney- have you notified the store of this possible heart murmur??? that's to say if the dog even has one. to claim your dog has a possible heart condition without seeing your vet is extremely BOLD on your part!

[someone with a life]

"But recently she has shown some possible inherited heart issues and it is tearing me up to watch the possible result to come as well as the bill to attain such tests." written by disney. my question is how many years have you gone to school to become a vet.

[someone with a life]

pets are like children they get sick sometimes. if your child gets pnumonia are you going to blame your spouse.

[Vet Nurse]

Wow,‘someone with a life’, you have some pretty harsh and angry words for a person who is clearly upset that their new and EXPENSIVE puppy is sick and may cost a lot of money to take care of. You sound to me like; 1-someone personally involved in selling pet shop/puppy mill puppies, or 2-a friend or relative of someone who is. I am one of those protestors and I have a life. I am very active in animal welfare, and have a full-time job. In fact, I have been a veterinary nurse for 14 years and unfortunately have alot of personal experience with pet shop/puppy mill puppies. Some of my fellow protestors are doctors, lawyers, school teachers, vets, other vet nurses, soccer moms, students...who are almost all involved in animal welfare. We who protest do so armed with a great deal of knowledge that the general public does not have (but can access, thanks to the federal Freedom of Information Act), but is quickly learning. Firstly, we have never claimed that the puppies are not clean and relatively/generally well cared for while in the store. We protest the sources of the puppies, well documented as coming from PUPPY MILLS, often with horrendous inspection reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and not all licensed by the USDA which pet shop owners will usually claim as a great sign the breeder is a good one. The rest of us know that a USDA license isn’t nearly as impressive as it sounds, yet I digress. Just google ‘Kathy Bauck’ and see for yourself the kind of ‘breeder’(and I use the term loosely) this and many other pet shops buy from. She has been known to have 900+ DOGS AT HER FACILITY/FACTORY FARM!! If that isn’t a PUPPY MILL, I don’t know what is! Recently she was convicted of animal cruelty, and practicing medicine without a veterinary license and was sent to jail! While you are at it, google ‘pet shop puppies’ and look at some of the disgusting pictures of puppy mills on the more than 1.1 MILLION WEB SITES that come up. It does sound to me,‘swal’, that you are the one who needs to do some research. And, besides the fact that GIARDIA can cause serious disease that can be difficult and expensive to treat, it can be TRANSMITTED TO PEOPLE (and naked to the visible eye of unsuspecting customers of pet shops that ‘look clean’…)! Yes, even some responsible, real breeders may occasionally have dogs that get giardia, but puppy mills are notorious for harboring many diseases that run rampant in the squalor of their kennels. And who are you to criticize ‘Disney’ about her lack of a vet degree? Where did you get yours since you seem to know so much about giardia? If you knew as much as you think you do, maybe your puppy wouldn’t keep getting reinfected with giardia because you’d know to keep it out of stagnant water. Just a thought.

‘Disney’, good luck with your pup!
WWW.SAVEPUPPYMILLDOGS.COM

[potential buyer]

your all idiots. i dont understand how somebody would willingly just buy a dog not even doing some research to see these kinds of websites before you go to the store to buy it. If you were really smart you would of gone online first and looked up the store name and seen all these hate websites. then you would of maybe thought "wow I really should think about going somewhere else to get my dog" you also should of asked questions or taken the time to inspect the place and watch the dog to see if it had these heart problems that you are quote un quote "noticing". gee im sorry that your dog got sick but you were stupid enought to buy it without using common sense first. NIMROD. and if the people who worked there know that the store is sanitary then take their word for it. next time you decide to purchase a dog use your brain. and now that i saw this website maybe i will think twice about purchasing a dog from there but i will use my brains much more then you people will.

[potential buyer]

Oh and vet nurse.... theres a reason why your not a vet doctor....

[Vet Nurse]

potential buyer wrote:

your all idiots. i dont understand how somebody would willingly just buy a dog not even doing some research to see these kinds of websites before you go to the store to buy it. If you were really smart you would of gone online first and looked up the store name and seen all these hate websites. then you would of maybe thought "wow I really should think about going somewhere else to get my dog" you also should of asked questions or taken the time to inspect the place and watch the dog to see if it had these heart problems that you are quote un quote "noticing". gee im sorry that your dog got sick but you were stupid enought to buy it without using common sense first. NIMROD. and if the people who worked there know that the store is sanitary then take their word for it. next time you decide to purchase a dog use your brain. and now that i saw this website maybe i will think twice about purchasing a dog from there but i will use my brains much more then you people will.

It really isn't necessary to be so rude to people, especially to the woman who is upset that her dog isn't well (not that she would have necessarily have been able to tell right away that the dog potentially had a heart condition just by watching it). Most of us who know the truth about puppy mills and pet shops try to educate people politely, not insult them. Besides, pet shops are really good at marketing themselves to unsuspecting customers.

[Vet Nurse]

potential buyer wrote:

Oh and vet nurse.... theres a reason why your not a vet doctor....

Yes, there are many reasons that I am not a veterinarian. I love being a veterinary nurse and never, ever claim to be a doctor!

[vet]

disney just go bring your dog to the vet. i am very sorry that your little puppy is sick but it sickens me to find all these people sitting on here commenting on this pet store instead of taking action. go protest or protect future purchasers from falling into the same trap as you.I cant say that i can truely beleive what all of you are saying unless somebody holds some hard, cold evidence in their hands. so go do some investigative work and get to the bottom of this. nurse vet.. i have to agree with potential buyer on this, if the only way to get through to people and teach them a lesson is by being agressive and rude, then you should do it and keep people from making other awful decisions like purchasing a sick puppy. I have read and experienced some pretty bad cases from this pet store but they cannot be convicted until proven guilty, so someone needs to go figure out a way to prove it. And as for my, I am partially disgusted at how little research the people on this website had done before purchasing their canines from that facility. All of you should of taken the time and effort to look up the name of the store and realized that they held a bad reputation. there are over a million hate websites here. I dont mean to be rude and i appologize if i hurt anyones feelings but that had to be said. Thankyou

[k9 lover]

vet knows their stuff yo! and might i just say, vet nurse if disney had just noticed that their puppy might have heart problems without a visit to the vet, then whose to say the same signs werent there the day she purchased it. After working with dogs and showing them for half my life things like this just repulse me. Word to the wise, if your looking for a strong healthy legit dog go find a top notch, well know breader, who has been reccomended and holds no bad history or records. and remember do research on the breeder before you make any hasty commitments. haha this might sound corny but I am only 16 and I know much about what a healthy dog shows signs of and you use instinct when purchasing. dont be afraid to ask questions. if the seller refuses to tell you the answer, back out. if they lie well.... you can always sue i guess and i am very sorry for any pooor puppies lifes that have been at stake here. and please i dont want any rude comments on what i say because i stand by what i said and take this very seriously and as you already know i am only 16 thnks!:)