Largest Internet Puppy Seller Accused Of Deception (Video)

1 of 2

An animal welfare organization gave people another good reason to avoid buying a new puppy on the Internet. Deceptive sales tactics are being used to trick well-meaning consumers into purchasing dogs from inhumane puppy mills.

The Humane Society of the United States released the results of a 3-month-long investigation into Purebred Breeders LLC, thought to be the nation’s largest online puppy broker. The organization has filed a lawsuit in the state of Florida, where Purebred Breeders (PBB) is based.

HSUS found that PBB owns nearly 800 websites that are designed to make people think they are dealing with a responsible and ethical breeder in their area, instead of a big online puppy selling company. In fact their web domains even claim to “oppose puppy mills.”

HSUS said the deception works like this. “For instance, if you search for boxer puppies in Maryland, the first hit takes you to a PBB website even though you may think you’re dealing with a local, Maryland breeder.”

Then if you call the number listed, it goes to the PBB Call Center in Florida. A whistleblower told HSUS that salespeople are instructed to talk about the puppies as if they personally know them. Employees use “hard-sell” tactics to get people to make the purchase and pictures to make them fall in love with the puppy.

The puppies generally come from large-scale puppy mills and not reputable breeders as advertised. They are flown from the puppy mills to the town advertised on the website to unknowing consumers.

PBB came to the attention of the Humane Society after they received heartbreaking complaints about sick and dying puppies being flown in all over the country.

Here are some of the stories sent to HSUS:

“I bought my puppy, Charlie, from purebredbreeders.com. She arrived via airplane on a Tuesday night, and by Saturday morning she was dead. She arrived sick and the vets were unable to save her. I watched my poor puppy slowly die in a great amount of pain.” From J.U.

“I bought a Baby Face Maltese Tea Cup this past October. The website said these breeders were in Virginia; that’s where I live…When I found my Baby Face Tea Cup it was love at first [sight]. Then I found out she was in Oklahoma and the guy making the arrangements was in Florida? All of a sudden I felt like I was making a drug deal. I should have walked away at that stage, but I was already in love, stupid me! She was $2,000 plus airfare, which was around $329.” From S.O.

It is estimated that PBB sells approximately 20,000 puppies every year. The holiday season is their most profitable time.

If you would like to help stop Purebred Breeders LLC, please Click Here to let federal regulators know how you feel. And if you purchased a sick puppy from PBB, HSUS asks that you complete their complaint form.

1 of 2

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

guiri t.

3:59AM PST on Jan 19, 2012

Now, if people would learn to adopt and rescue an animal instead of insisting on wanting to buy a puppy and that particular breed of dog with papers, things would look a lot better for the animals.

Yes, I know you can rescue puppies. My comment was more for those that usually buy one 'cause they want a puppy and not an adult animal. RESCUE people. Costs less and you're doing something good. Kinda like adopting kids.

Instead of screwing like rabbits and making assloads of children in a world that's going downhill and is WAY over populated, why not adopt? Most people say, it's 'cause they want their OWN baby. Geez! People are selfish!

send a green star

Quanta K.

2:06AM PST on Jan 16, 2012

Thanks.

JACQUI G.

11:27PM PST on Jan 15, 2012

THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET A REAL JOB!!!
LEAVE THE ANIMALS ALONE.

Despina V.

6:59AM PST on Jan 15, 2012

noted

Ewa B.

10:09AM PST on Dec 28, 2011

For gods sakes, people! Don't buy dogs! Go to the nearest shelter and save a life. Come on.

Gloria M.

11:33PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

I signed the petition and hope it helps to shut down this madness.

Carrie Anne B.

5:10AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

thanks for sharing

Diane L.

10:27PM PST on Dec 13, 2011

There should be a law against selling any animal on the internet, except maybe in individual classified ads. Anyone buying an animal over the internet should do their homework..........be responsible.........make a personal phone call, ask for photos, references and information on parents. Don't buy "blindly", and don't go thru any 3rd party or "broker" unless it's a breed organization/group or someone known personally. This applies to cats, dogs and horses! I've heard horror stories about people buying a horse online thru a "3rd party" and got burned pretty bad, and it was purebred, registered and that was verified, but what wasn't, was the paperwork given didn't match what was available to be checked online. The buyer didn't know the seller (breeder) and turned out the horse wasn't even legally owned by the seller. It was quite a mess.

Debbie C.

2:33AM PST on Dec 13, 2011

I think all Puppy Mills should be shut down because of the way they run them. Living in a cage is not living and these dogs deserve better than that. It must be miserable to have one litter of pups after another after another.

What is wrong with having a little compassion for the poor dogs? All they want is a comfortabe warm, dry place to live, some fresh food and clean water, and a little petting, They don't ask for much and yet, they would do anything to please their humans, even in a Puppy Mill.

If they allow them to stay open, at least enforce some strict laws to make them more humane to the poor dogs. .

Gayle O.

1:10PM PST on Dec 12, 2011

Not only are most of the puppies from these mills sickly but the interbreeding causes problems with the pups as they grow into adult dogs. I have always had a soft spot for dogs and cats that have been dropped off in the neighborhood or shelter dogs. We adopted two dogs recently from two different shelters and they are the best dogs ever. Currently looking for a home for a young Siamese mix kitty that was dropped off near our home. Check out your local shelters or rescue sites before considering buying from a pet store. I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised if you are patient. Remember, good things come to those who wait. It is much easier to walk into a pet store and buy "the puppy in the window" than to fill out the adoption application at the shelter and wait to see if you qualify. If you are a responsible pet owner you should have no problem !