Pet Adoption or Retail Puppy from Puppy Mill?

An unofficial group of peaceful protesters in St. Peters, Missouri have been making an effort to ban bad breeding practices in Missouri since February of 2008. They have recently been picketing the Puppies store near the intersection of Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Suemandy Drive to make consumers aware that this pet retailer purchases from what they call "Puppy Mills." Because Missouri is one of the least regulated states for dog breeding, it has become the number one location for poor breeding practices, including large farms of breeding dogs in the thousands.

While protesting for their cause, they are encouraging families who wish to purchase a pet to look at adoption first. You can visit Petfinders.com to find numerous locations in the St. Charles County area that provide Pet Adoption Services. At some of these locations, you will even find full breed puppies for just $60 and fully house trained adult dogs for $50, a fraction of the cost at a retailer. This cost includes sterilization and shots.

One of the best locations I have found on Petfinder.com is the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center, which is an animal shelter located at 4850 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters Missouri, 63376. The shelter is run by St. Charles County and is a public service. They have a variety of cats and dogs that need a good home and really have their best interest in mind. They are exceptional at placing puppies in good homes and ensuring pet owners take responsibility for the pets they take home.

The center has a short application form that you will need to fill out prior to adopting a pet. In the application they ask if you own or rent and what your long-term living arrangements will be for the pet. They ask you if you know how much you will spend on your pet each year and also where your pet will stay for most of the day when you are not home. After completing the application, they verify your residence and talk with you about caring for your pet. If you rent, they may contact your landlord to ensure you have permission to house a pet under your lease agreement. This process assures that people who are adopting a pet are really committed to care for the welfare of the pet.

While adult dogs are fully returnable within 30 days, puppies are not. Each pet receives a microchip for tracing the owner if the pet is lost in the future so don't take your decision too lightly. If you adopt a pet and then later don't want to take responsibility for it, they will be able to trace ownership back to you.

SEE PROTESTERS PLEADS IN PICTURES