Letter: No pet store is 'responsible'

In light of the proposed pet store "rating" system ["County can't be a puppy watchdog," Editorial, Aug. 10], please allow me to remind readers that, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a "responsible" pet store or breeder.

Most pet stores obtain puppies from cruel puppy mills, where animals are kept in tiny, feces-caked cages and are never given any love, attention or even a chance to roll in the grass. Food, veterinary care and shelter are often inadequate, and female dogs are often killed when their worn-out bodies can no longer produce puppies.

But no matter how kindly they treat their animals, all pet stores and breeders share the blame for the 3 million to 4 million animals who must be euthanized yearly in our country's animal shelters. Every new puppy or kitten they bring into the world takes away a home from an animal in a shelter whose life depends on being adopted.

I urge people who are ready to provide a dog or cat with a loving, lifelong home to save a life by adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue group and have their new friend spayed or neutered.

Lindsay Pollard-Post, Norfolk, Va.

Editor's note: The writer is a staff writer at the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, Foundation