I understand and agree with everyone's concerns. Trust me, I'm one of the failure foster parents because I'm so very strict who adopts any animals that cross my path, so much so that I end up keeping most of them.
When I first read the Petland ad I was absolutely furious. Then I spoke with Sandy who is in charge of "buying" so to speak. I can only go by what she told me and hope it is truthful but she says, yes, horrible mistakes were made in the past but they are trying to correct all of that. I told her that there is the probable cause that no rescues would want their pets in there, but I think some would like to make a good working connection, just like they do with some shelters. And how often do we see ads where there was an "oops" litter and no one has room to take them. I think this situation is better than some of the alternatives.
I agree, how can you guarantee anything, but then even people in rescue have to admit that sometimes they've made mistakes in who they have adopted animals to and then never hear from them again and who knows what happened to those dogs either.
In my perfect world, no one would breed until we as humans clean up the mess and adopt all the poor animals that are out there now but that is not going to happen. Sandy also told me that if a "back yard breeder" were to come to her she would say that the only way they would take those pups is if they spayed the female so it stops.
Remember, I'm on the side of the animal ALWAYS, but if a pet store is trying to make a change to the positive I just think it is a chance to get our foot in the door educate. Whether we like it or not, some people like to have a place to go where they can view and interact with several pets at once and not have to drive to each rescue organization. Whether we like it or not, they're out there. But yes, they are willing to work with rescues for putting up their information as well even if they don't want them in there.
I'm trying to look at the small positives even though I'm one that didn't want to until after I spoke with them. Yes, they could be lying, but at least they know I'm watching. They're already in a bad light thanks to Oprah so I think they're trying to change things. I just try to think after having a mother and four pups brought to my home having been found dumped on the highway, what would I do if that happened again one month after the first batch. I only managed to raise them happy and health with the help of AAS and still ended up keeping the mother and two pups.........and I'd do it all over again.